Senate Republican Leader demands disclosure of improper relationship between DFL and press

(St. Paul, MN…) Senate Republican Leader David Hann today demanded Majority Leader Tom Bakk come clean about the paid relationship between a credentialed reporter and the campaign arm of the Senate DFL Caucus. The Minnesota Senate DFL Caucus Campaign Committee funneled almost $40,000 to Shawn Towle during 2012 and 2013 while he was also receiving official credentials to cover the Senate. In their most recent report, the Senate DFL Caucus reported paying Towle $1,000 on January 7, 2014.

“Senator Bakk has been secretly paying Shawn Towle for ‘research’ while allowing him to remain a credentialed member of the press corps,” said Senator Hann. “How can the public trust what’s going on at the Capitol if the reporters are being paid by the politicians?”

Senator Hann sent a letter to Majority Leader Bakk asking him to inform the Chief Sergeant at Arms of these payments so he can take the necessary steps to revoke the press credentials of Mr. Towle.

The secret payments were made to two separate companies owned and controlled by Towle. The DFL Senate Caucus campaign committee paid $8,750 to Key Strategies, LLC in 2012. The company was terminated in 2007 but was owned by Shawn Towle. The DFL Senate Caucus also paid $30,250 to Enlightened Enterprises in 2012 and 2013. The campaign committee also paid Enlightened Enterprises $1,000 on January 7, 2014. Enlightened Enterprises is owned by Shawn Towle.

With official Senate credentials, Towle has full access to the Senate floor and frequently appears at press conferences, even asking questions of legislative leaders.

“Senator Bakk’s failure to disclose political payments he made to a member of the credentialed press is dishonest and damages the integrity of the Senate,” said Senator Hann. “Shawn Towle’s press credentials should be revoked immediately and Senator Bakk should let the Senate know if anyone else in the capitol press corps is being paid by the Democrats.”

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