Seems that while Mittens Romney was chairing the GOP Governors Association back in 2006, he helped Rick Perry launder a $1 million contribution - provided by the chief bankroller of the 2004 Swift Boat attacks against John Kerry - into Perry's re-election campaign. Two of Gov. Perry's top aides appear to have perjured themselves about the deal, which a judge has ruled violated Texas law.
Salon:
When asked about the Oct. 4, 2006, meeting, Mark Miner, press secretary of the Perry presidential campaign, told Salon that “due to a settlement by both sides we cannot comment on this case.” The Romney campaign did not respond to questions about the meeting.
To have the two presumed front-runners for the Republican presidential nomination and the funder of the infamous “Swift Boat” attacks implicated in a single money laundering scandal is a remarkable development in the Republican race. It raises a host of questions that other GOP candidates — and the media — may want to address.
Did two of Perry’s closes aides commit perjury? Why the divergent statements about the last-minute contribution? Did Romney endorse passing along Bob Perry’s $1 million to Gov. Perry? If so, why? And what did Rick Perry know about the source of the contribution?
In short, did the two now-bitter rivals for the Republican nomination forge a friendly backroom deal in 2006 that was possibly illegal?
“What’s the difference between a bribe and a campaign contribution?”
“You report the contribution.”
Read the full report online at Salon.com.
-Diane