My "Vision South Dakota" is still a little fuzzy this morning.

Remember Vision South Dakota? They were one of the central entities at the center of the maelstrom of campaign finance shenanigans this past election. This was the group that had to return a $7000 contribution check from the Sisseton Whapeton Oyate tribe, and listed a $30,000 PAC check from an entity called the Midwest Coalition for Progress. Except that dark and mysterious organization (Midwest) has never filed a thing. Anywhere.

(You can always click on images to enlarge them)

So about a week or two ago, Vision SD filed their year-end PAC report. (You know, the report that was due several months ago.)

If you'll allow me to rehash some of what I've groaned about before, Vision South Dakota's biggest benefactor was the Midwest Coalition PAC, and as I brought up, no one ever really found out where this Midwest Coalition PAC came from, or who they were, much less why they thought it was worth $30,000 to defeat the Governor and elect Democrats.

But as you'll notice on this latest report, the Vision South Dakota PAC which enabled key Democrats to funnel money to their candidates has returned the $30,000 that was previously listed as a PAC donation from the Midwest Coalition, as if it was improper, or if it were some sort of loan.

Despite the fact that on the previous report it was listed as a PAC donation.


I think the thing that's so mysterious about the organization is that they just appeared and started handing out money. Even more curious, the only thing we ever found out about them is that they're somehow related to the entity which funded the latest anti-video lottery crusade in South Dakota as noted here:

And here....

The relation? They both have the same mailing address. Nearly 1/2 a million dollars in campaign funding for this last election was funneled out of an innocent little post office box in Sioux Falls, PO Box 1401.

We know they don't care for Republicans, and they really hate video lottery. And they like secrecy, since no names have ever seen the light of day. We just don't know who is providing the funding for all of this. It's just an informational black hole.

Compare this to the controversy over the Roger Hunt fronted Promising Future Inc. Democrats are screaming for his head over finding a loophole in existing law as it applies to a corporation being set up to conceal the identity of a single donor in this past year's abortion issue. But when it comes to campaign finance shenanigans on their side of the aisle, they're suddenly stuck mute.

I certainly hope the residents of PO Box 1401 are the next target for throwing the veil of secrecy off. Because if South Dakotans deserve it in the Promising Future case, we deserve it no less in this instance.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Good point. Along with Hunt (whom I believe should give us full disclosure), so should this bunch. But you won't see the SD media jumping on them, will you?
Anonymous said…
The bulk of the money from retired SDEA employees and retired teachers.
Anonymous said…
The money to oppose video lottery came from the tribes, especially from Flandreau. That has been established for quite some time. Doh. It wasn't a partisan thing, it was a money thing.
Anonymous said…
PP,
Set the Argus Leader on it. They are the protectors of freedom of information, they can figure anything out. Heck maybe they can even sue someone over it.
Anonymous said…
Isn't the names and entity's assigned to a PO Box public record. I thinkl you can just walk in and ask the teller who's names are listed on the box.

Go get em PP.
Anonymous said…
You can call the Post Office and they will give you the info.
Anonymous said…
If you have an issue, stop being a coward. Go public. Bring it on dipstick.
Anonymous said…
TOTAL OUTRAGE!
Anonymous said…
What happened to Roger Hunt and his issues?
Anonymous said…
All PAC's should be outlawed, but will never happen. That being said, all contributions should be mandated to be public knowledge within two days of being given and be available on the internet for all to see. PAC's are simply money laundering for politicians and a means where the money interests still control the elections.
PP said…
10:15, what are you talking about?
Anonymous said…
The Hunt issue is being handles by the AG's office. It has been in the papers on TV and on this and other blogs.
I don't recall when the time is set for.
Anonymous said…
I guess it's not an issue anymore because the money was returned. No donation - no problem - no disclosure needed.

If Roger Hunt would return the $750,000 he wouldn't have to disclose either.
Anonymous said…
Almost $4,000 in legal fees? Must have been a tangled web to un-weave.

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