When she and her fellow Democrat BET slate were found to have violated our state campaign financing law by spending $349,000 more than the $1,000 limit on electioneering, First Selectman candidate Jill Oberland refused to accept blame, and claimed that she had “no idea” that her running mate Tony Turner was spending so much on her behalf. “Who, me?” she asked.”Why, I had no idea!”
…. I decided to campaign for the seat of Board of Estimate and Taxation in the Town of Greenwich. It was my first time running for any elected, partisan position in Greenwich. I am a team player and I felt it was important for Democrats to have an opportunity to win the majority of votes on the BET in order to gain leadership positions. I put the idea forward to my fellow Democrats: Elizabeth Krumeich, Jill Oberlander, Leslie Moriarty, David Weisbrod, and Jeff Ramer.
In the weeks that followed we worked together as a team. We discussed strategy, SEEC regulations, and scheduling. In fact, most of my emails to this group began with, “Hi team.” We won and they took a lot of credit for the win. Yet, when faced with being a member of that team under difficult circumstances, they abandoned me and the truth.
I have always held the highest regard for the law, and noting our state’s complex campaign finance laws, I proactively contacted and continuously communicated with our state’s most senior campaign compliance attorneys during the entire nine-week campaign.
The financial aspects of the campaign could not have been more transparent between me and the SEEC, the State Elections Enforcement Commission. My actions were either known by or actually pre-approved by the SEEC. In some cases their communications included suggestions, in writing, to help me remain compliant. All of this activity is evidenced in SEEC’s compliance logging technology. I followed every suggestion and I followed their advice in every way.
My fellow Democratic candidates have all denied to the SEEC their degree of involvement and knowledge of the campaign activities and spending. The emails in my possession demonstrate that this is not only false, they show that I proactively kept them informed or sought their approval, or both, on a regular and consistent basis.
In writing, I informed my fellow Democrats that the campaign for majority was going to be “quite expensive and a heavy lift.” “That printers, phone bankers and door-knockers were standing by,” and later, that “30 door knockers would start canvassing later in the week.”
Furthermore, I sent them copies of everything and requested their attribution language, which they sent to me. They were involved in voter post card content, added their photos and bios for a voter card at polling locations, and verified focus points and issues for literature. I sent them details on the barbeques including that all town permits and licenses and worked with them specifically to plan events, including the barbeques, around their schedules.
They received all mailings of the campaign and verified in email that at least 7-8 mailings would be conducted. They made regular visits to campaign headquarters where all activity was coordinated.
Most disturbingly, I sent them each a copy of the 2017 Municipal Elections Guide from the SEEC for their review.
All but one of the other BET candidates were indisputably very experienced in running for and holding multiple public offices. I was the rookie. Three of them: Jill Oberlander, Beth Krumeich, and Jeff Ramer, are attorneys. They had a responsibility to
a) know the law,
b) help the rest of us to understand the law, and
c) tell the truth when questioned after the fact about the law.
Their actions are shameful and I believe they have not only betrayed me and their party but the public trust as well.[emphasis dded]
I vigorously fought the allegations but realized that another two-year legal battle and the fees that would have cost far exceeded the amount of a settlement.
This entire process has opened my eyes but not diminished my desire to serve the public. Quite the opposite. I will continue being a vocal supporter of my town and state, and I will do everything in my power to make sure those we elect actually do the job they were elected to do.
Oberlander refused direct comment to FWIW on Turner’s assertions, but did submit the following record of her final meeting with the befuddled campaigner:
