Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch yet again named as a recipient of illegal straw campaign “donations”

– News covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

Busted yet again
A meme

Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch yet again named as a recipient of illegal straw campaign “donations.”

In turn, the sanctions imposed resulted included a total of $307,500 in financial penalties inflicted, the second-largest such fine in Massachusetts history.

Mayor Koch has also long been among the most named, if not the most often named, recipient of illegal “straw” campaign fund donations provided to any and all campaign funds in Massachussetts.

Frequency not withstanding, per the usual practices in such matters the negotiated sanction settlement agreement imposes a fine on the donor but only requires that the recipient(s) disgorge the illegal donations to their campaign funds and then surrender these funds to the state’s general refund.

Further unfortunate, standard operating procedure in such matters is to note in the settlement agreement that the recipient(s) (purportedly, ed.) was (were) unaware of the grifting.

In short, as well as per Massachusetts’ long practiced tradition: “(d)on’t write when you can talk; don’t talk when you can nod your head.

Mini-me yet again has some explaining to do
A YouTube screenshot still image

At the same time, given the identical amount of straw contributions provided to Mayor Koch, Governor Charlie Baker, and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, it is only reasonable to suspect the “bundling” of contributions to benefit multiple candidates as well as note that such bundling is typically at least facilitated by the lower/lowest politician on the totem pole so as to endeavor to curry favor from those up the food chain.

Also note that this is at least the second time that what turned out to be illegal contributions appear to have “unknowingly” been bundled by Mayor Koch so as to curry favor from Governor Baker.

That and at least the third time straw campaign “contributions” to Mayor Koch ended up “quirking” Governor Baker.

A socially distant media interview
A Kara Delahunt/Patriot Ledger file photo

Further telling is what Mayor Koch said to the Boston tabloid when it came a calling for comment.

Mayor Koch claimed that he is “obviously disappointed” in the abuse of campaign finance law by Boston Property Ventures but said it iwas in “no way ” a “pay-to-play” scheme by the company that built two luxury high-end condominium complexes in the city during the time the fraudulent donations were contributed.

At the same time, however, the tabloid failed to note that the sanctioned company has also built an apartment building in Quincy or that all three of these projects were provided with all manner of accommodations, ranging from considerable and often very generous variances from local building and zoning codes to ready facilitation which helped hasten completion of their projects.

Former Number One Ward Heeler now targeted in an illegal campaign donations investigation
A meme based on a former Facebook avatar

That and how the company’s illegal largess also secured the cheerleading of a now former Quincy ward heeler on its projects even though two of the three projects were not in her district.

And for the cherry on top of the cherry on top of the sundae was the following and among the most ill-advised money shot quotes ever provided by Mayor Koch:

“Nobody’s going to Aruba with this money … . There was no wrongdoing by me or my campaign and it is being rectified,”

Apparently, Koch Machine mouthpiece Pinocchio Walkbacker was unavailable to provided scripted spin to foist in response to media inquiries and/or block same from reaching Mayor Koch directly.

Mayor Koch added that his campaign fund will forfeit the money to the state once officially notified. 

So much for doing it as soon a possible as – after all – his campaign fund is well-practiced at disgorging  illegal campaign contributions.

QQ disclaimer