New perspective on Schock's link to the NRCC scandal

A GOP friend with experience helping run a Congressional campaign doubts very much that the Aaron Schock 18th District campaign -- or any Congressional candidate -- benefited from any of the financial irregularities being investigated at the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Last week, the Schock campaign (as well as other candidates) fired its campaign treasurer Christopher J Ward after news reports identified him as the central figure in an investigation into irregularities at the NRCC.

Steve Schearer told the press that he not only never met Ward (he was hired on his reputation alone), Ward never touched the money that had been donated to Schock.

I found that odd, and speculated that Shearer was trying to establish plausible deniability should the scandal reach the Schock campaign.

I just got off the phone with a GOP friend. This person was deeply involved at a high level in different GOP Congressional campaign during a previous election cycle . This campaign also hired Ward. While Ward was on record as their campaign treasurer, Ward never met high ranking campaign officials, nor did he have any access to the funds. Ward was sent copies of checks and invoices and bills, then used them to compile financial reports that were electronically fired with the Federal Election Commission. Ward charged them $2,000 quarterly.

Why hire Ward, a former NRCC staffer who worked as a vendor out of NRCC offices? My source says that most people just do not realize how "painful" the FEC financial reporting process is. He doubts there is anyone in Peoria who could do it.

Because of Ward's lack of access to that campaign's funds, my source is not worried that they lost any money, or that money was funneled into that campaign. The source says it's foolish to even try, because not only is the FEC ruthless in demanding documentation, the FEC reports are poured over by the local and national media looking for discrepancies.

My two cents: Several days ago, I thought this story had legs and would turn into an investigation into the candidates whose campaigns hired ward. After this conversation, Shearer's statements seem much more plausible to me.

Nevertheless, I must remind myself of something that is true of people who break the rules: They think they can get away with it. I wouldn't want to tangle with the FEC. But hubris is a common trait among those who dabble in politics.

I don't think this will go far beyond Ward. But you never know.

Cross posted to Peoria Pundit.