Snyder Campaign Raises Concerns About Coordination Between Michigan Business United And Cox Campaign On Negative Attack Ads

Snyder Campaign Urges Macomb And Wayne County Prosecutors To Investigate

Ann Arbor, MI -- Yesterday, Rick for Michigan Campaign volunteers and young staff members attempted to lawfully and respectfully question Gust Ghanam, the registered agent of Michigan Business United, about potential coordination of false, negative attacks ads with the Mike Cox 2010 Committee. They were met hostilely and Mr. Ghanam aggressively approached a young volunteer attempting to ask legitimate questions. This incident seriously raises into question the issue of illegal coordination between Mr. Ghanam and the Cox Campaign.

For a video compilation of the incident, please click here.

To watch Michigan Business United's false, negative attack ad, click here.

"While the legal ramifications of this incident are still pending and cannot be discussed, it is obvious from Mr. Gahanam's aggressive behavior that he has something to hide from the citizens of Michigan," said campaign spokesman Jake Suski. "We urge the Macomb and Wayne County Prosecutors' office to fully investigate this matter and ensure that state laws are being abided by. Just yesterday Mike Cox was talking about transparency – he has a chance here to walk the walk. Yet it would be an 'urban legend' to expect the Attorney General to investigate this incident and the likely coordination between his campaign and Michigan Business United."

Mr. Ghanam is a public servant, serving as the Superintendent of Sanitation for Warren, Michigan. It appears that a large portion of his time has been spent in mud-slinging politics rather than service to the citizens of Warren.
Gust Ghanam filed Macomb Business United as an independent political action committee with the state on July 14, 2009. Macomb Business United lists its address as 2 Crocker Boulevard, Suite 202, Mount Clemens, Michigan (48043). As it happens, this is the exact same address used by the Michigan Civic Educational Fund on February 5, 2010, when it purchased advertising time on station WJR-AM. This advertising time was used to run attack ads against Rick Snyder from February 8 through 12, 2010.


According to the Macomb Daily (02/10/10): "A newly created nonprofit organization that has launched a campaign that's bashing two Republican candidates for governor is associated with notorious Macomb County political consultants and local political activists who are supporting GOP front-runner Mike Cox The MCEF was formed in November by attorney Cecil St. Pierre, attorney Mike Greiner and Warren Assistant City Attorney Jeff Schroder, according to state documents. They have hired political consultant Joe Munem." (http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/02/10/news/srv0000007571908.txt)


On July 31, 2009, Macomb Business United was served notice that it had failed to file the necessary campaign disclosure reports as required by the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. On August 20, 2009, Macomb Business United was sent a notice for its failure to file, and on October 9, 2009, was sent another notice, but apparently, the group continued to laugh at the law.


Macomb Business United filed a financial disclosure report with Macomb County for the period ending December 31, 2009. It shows that the group raised $21,100.00 and spent $16,502.24. $9,500.00 of that amount went to "Mike Cox", who was listed as the candidate and committee contributed to.


Unfortunately, no address was listed, or office sought. The contribution was listed as an independent expenditure in support of "Mike Cox", but the type of expenditure wasn't given. This contribution to "Mike Cox" was made within 24 hours of a donation of $10,000 to Macomb Business United from the Commanders Majority Fund.


This disclosure was filed with Macomb County, but not with the Secretary of State's office (http://campaignfinance. macombcountymi.gov/ IndexedDocs/48306497.PDF).


For 2010, Macomb Business United changed its name to Michigan Business United. On January 13, 2010, the group received its final notice concerning its failure to file. On April 20, 2010, the group paid a fine for failing to file. As of that date, the group reported to the Secretary of State that it had no funds.

American's for Job Security (AJS) recently launched similar false, negative attack ads and Michigan Truth Squad suspected coordination then:

"AJS' address listed on its 2007 federal tax return is 66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 555, Alexandria, VA 22314. That is the same address as WWP Strategies, a consultant for Mike Cox for Governor, according to the Hoekstra campaign, as confirmed by Cox spokesman Nick DeLeeuw and reported in a May 3, 2010, Gongwer story that lists WWP consultants Katie Packer, Fred Wszolek and Lori Wortz as advisers. However, WWP oddly does not list any contact information on its company website. The ads are produced by Crossroads Media, which also has the same address as AJS." ( Michigan Truth Squad story )

Michigan Business United also used Crossroads Media to purchase their ads.