Fuse Washington

BUILDERGATE: Latest News

Breaking News, October 29th: Dino Rossi testified today in Buildergate. See unofficial transcript and supporting documents. October 27th: Judge denies Dino Rossi's motion to quash subpoena, and orders Rossi to testify before the election. Judge Paris Kallas ruled in favor of the voters' right to know Monday, setting the stage for a Rossi deposition on Wednesday, October 29th at 10:00 am. Rossi will be forced to testify under oath about his personal involvement in an illegal fundraising campaign orchestrated by the Building and Industry Association of Washington. Funds raised from the campaign were directed to a multi-million dollar BIAW war chest to support Rossi's bid for Governor. The Attorney General is now prosecuting the BIAW's fundraising as illegal.

Keep me informed about this and other critical election issues. Fuse is bringing people together to make a difference in Washington.

• News Coverage on Buildergate: see TV reports and newspaper articles.
  
  

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• October 6th, 2008:
  Former Supreme Court Justices File Legal Challenges Against Rossi/BIAW
• Justices Statement
  Retired Supreme Court Justices Robert F. Utter and Faith Ireland announce a citizen lawsuit against the BIAW and Dino Rossi. See details on attorney Knoll Lowney's web site. The Superior Court has ordered discovery in the case, including depositions of Dino Rossi.

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• September 29th, 2008:
  Factsheet and Documentation of Dino Rossi's Role in Illegal BIAW Fundraising Campaign¹
• Rossi's Alliance with the BIAW
• The BIAW's Track Record of Underhanded Campaigning and “Sleazy Tactics”
• Executive Summary

New evidence released on Septmeber 29th clearly proves that Dino Rossi was an active participant in the illegal BIAW fundraising campaign now being prosecuted by the Attorney General. In fact Rossi was the only collaborator the illegal fundraising scheme who was not a senior officer of the Building and Industry Association of Washington (BIAW).

“Buildergate is a major scandal for Dino Rossi – he was undeniably directly involved in an illegal fundraising campaign orchestrated by an ultraconservative trade association of powerful developers,” said Aaron Ostrom, Executive Director of Fuse. “And this may just be the tip of the iceberg.”

Two weeks ago the Chair of the State Public Disclosure Commission found that the participants in this illegal activity reached a “meeting of the minds” and demonstrated an “egregious lack of judgment.” What he didn’t know at that time was that the participants in this illegal activity included Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Dino Rossi.

The evidence clearly shows that Dino Rossi contacted all of the top officers of at least one BIAW chapter urging them to contribute to the BIAW’s warchest for the Governor’s race—also known to BIAW members as their “Fund for Rossi.” These calls were part of an illegal fundraising campaign that is now being prosecuted by the Attorney General.

How You Can Help:
Fuse is calling for the immediate appointment of a Special Prosecutor to fully investigate Dino Rossi's role in this fundraising scandal. The clear documentation of Dino Rossi's direct and active participation in the BIAW's illegal fundraising campaign makes it extremely important that the public have access to the full information about his role in the dealings as soon as possible.

Fuse was created to fight for the power of ordinary people in politics, and against the corrupting influence of wealthy and powerful special interests. We all need to know the entire story about the BIAW's collaboration with Dino Rossi. Please sign our petition to the Attorney General.

http://www.fusewashington.org/page/s/buildergate

¹The facts of this situation were uncovered by attorney Knoll Lowney during the discovery phase of a lawsuit against the BIAW. His statement on bringing this information forward and original documents can be found on his web site.