R i g h t a r d i a: We now know why they called these thugs "young guns"

Saturday, March 19, 2011

We now know why they called these thugs "young guns"

Mar 17, 2011

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, former Republican Congressional candidate and National Republican Congressional Committee Young Gun Tom Ganley (OH-13) was indicted on seven counts including kidnapping a Cleveland woman.

Ganley was a top tier candidate for the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2010 and received support of then-Republican Leader John Boehner even after these allegations came to light.

Since this Congress began, House Republican leaders have been dealing with the emerging and unfolding criminal investigation into another NRCC Young Gun, Representative David Rivera (FL-25).

“Tom Ganley is just one of the candidates with dangerous histories and violent behavior that House Republicans backed in past elections and it’s only a matter of time until the troubling histories of the others come to light,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

“With the criminal investigation expanding into Representative David Rivera, it’s clear that Ganley isn’t the first – or the last – of the candidates Republican leaders promoted whose background and behavior sends a chilling message.”

Background

Cuyahoga County grand jury files 7-count indictment against auto dealer Tom Ganley, accusing him of sexual assault on Cleveland woman. “A seven-count indictment accuses Tom Ganley, a high-profile auto dealer and onetime congressional candidate, of kidnapping a 39-year-old Cleveland woman and having sexual contact with her.” [Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/15/11]

Ganley Sued for Attempted Rape and Sexual Assault. Last week we learned that a woman has filed a suit against Ganley for sexual assault. Ganley allegedly met with the woman, who was interested in volunteering for his U.S. Senate campaign and talking about her car payments, when he propositioned and sexually assaulted her in his private office. [Plain Dealer, 9/30/10]

Ganley received $18,500 from GOP Leadership. Ganley has received at least $18,500 in contributions from GOP leadership. [CQ Moneyline]

NRCC: Tom Ganley Advances to Top Level of Young Guns Program [NRCC press release, 7/13/10]

After the allegations of sexual harassment surfaced, Ganley was still due to welcome John Boehner at a campaign event in Akron. [TPMDC, 10/29/10]

Republicans wary of Rivera scandal. “Florida Rep. David Rivera, under an ethical cloud and facing an expanding investigation into his finances, is in a political squeeze from Republicans in Washington and Miami just two months into his congressional tenure. Republicans are already privately floating the names of potential primary challengers to Rivera, and on Capitol Hill he’s found himself increasingly isolated as leaders try to distance themselves from his troubles back home.” [POLITICO, 3/15/11]

NRCC chairman says embattled Florida Republican 'doing a very good job' . “David Rivera is a brand new member of our delegation from Miami who is doing a very good job in his duties up here," Sessions told The Ballot Box. "He's very active as a member of his freshman class. He's getting his job done and I think that he's seen in a very favorable light." [The Hill, 3/2/11]