Alvin Greene Did Not File Forms With FEC

[babylonsister]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/06/mysterious_alvin_greene_candidacy_shows_some_life.php

Alvin Greene Did Not File Forms With FEC
Justin Elliott | June 10, 2010, 8:55AM


One of the enduring mysteries of the Alvin Greene Senate candidacy down in South Carolina is that Greene, an unemployed veteran who registered his candidacy with the Democratic party in March, never filed any paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.

But sometime in the last three or four days, Greene's name did show up on the FEC database -- but not because he had filed a statement of organization for a campaign committee, as federal candidates typically do. (Greene apparently raised no money for his successful primary bid.)

While the page with Greene's name says it may be appearing "as a result of draft committees or independent expenditure committees registering with the FEC," commission spokesman Christian Hilland tells TPMmuckraker that the page is likely the result of the South Carolina secretary of state's office providing the commission with a list of names that appeared on the ballot -- not any spending on behalf of Greene.

There are no contributions to Greene listed. A Dem operative familiar with the race tells TPMmuckraker that the FEC page appeared sometime since Saturday.

Hilland also said that candidates are required to file a statement of candidacy (see here) within 15 days of spending more than $5,000 on a campaign. Greene did pay a $10,400 filing fee with the state Democratic party -- but Hilland says that filing fee does not apply toward the $5,000 registration.

Greene's opponent, former state legislator Vic Rawl, did make routine filings with the FEC, which you can see here.

Greene's candidacy is so strange that Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) today dubbed him a "plant" and called for an investigation. And details of the felony obscenity charge against Greene last year continue to trickle out.

None of that is stopping Greene from reveling in the media spotlight. He gave several interviews with South Carolina TV stations last night.

(This story has been updated with comment from the FEC.)

[dorkulon]

1. I'm not sure "reveling" is the word.

He looks like he's going to puke from anxiety. People with stage fright should not run for the Senate.

[Ruby the Liberal]

10. +1 More like deer in the headlights

[rurallib]

14. He looks like he knows he is guilty and not too good at lying

[Greyskye]

2. Just gave a train-wreck of an interview with Olbermann.

How the hell did this numb-nut win the primary? He can't even say what his methods are that won him the election.

Wow. Just this second saw the Olbermann addendum to his interview with Greene. They have an open primary in SC; Republicans may vote for Democrats. Now it's starting to make sense.

[babylonsister]

4. Yes, I saw that, too. He has no business winning anything. Can

you say concerted effort by someone? This is too weird; I hope the real Dems get to the bottom of this.

[The Magistrate]

3. Some Fellas, Ma'am, Have Out-Tricked Themselves....

He swore he was indigent and could not pay for a lawyer when he was arraigned. The money for the filing fee will have to be accounted for, under, as they say, penalty of perjury....

[babylonsister]

5. I wonder how much he was paid; seems almost cruel, whoever

orchestrated this.

[WeDidIt]

7. My bet is DeMint

Bank on it.

[O is 44]

9. Who would benefit most from this farce? I say DeMint n/t

[The Magistrate]

11. They Play Very Dirty Down There, Ma'am

No one cares about the mark. No one will even care about the low level operatives who will take the fall, shielding the higher-ups who gave them their orders.

[WeDidIt]

6. It is all going to come out

The Republicans who planted this fool outsmarted themselves. When he gets arrested and is alone with federal prosecutors, he'll sing like a canary.

My bet is, DeMint is at the end of the line on this one.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. After listening to Green on KO, plant is a good description.

I have seen ferns with more personality.

[w4rma]

12. The Repukes have definitely outsmarted themselves, this time. And Greene is getting his 15 minutes

of fame. I hope he gets a little fortune from it too, as it will end up helping Democrats in South Carolina.

[aquart]

13. And this is why "open" primaries are a lousy stinking scam.

Naturally, California has voted to have them.