Miles Rapoport: Is Donovan Probe a ‘Disgraceful Dirty Trick?’

A former top state government official, liberal political activist Miles Rapoport of West Hartford, is raising questions about the timing and methods of the office of U.S. Attorney David Fein in its investigation of an alleged campaign financing conspiracy surrounding the 5th District congressional campaign of Democratic House Speaker Christopher Donovan.

Donovan faces a three-way Democratic nominating primary in less than two weeks, on Aug. 14. Rapoport – a Democrat who was Connecticut’s secretary of the state from 1995 to 1999, after serving 10 years in the state legislature – is a friend and supporter of Donovan, and has contributed $650 to Donovan’s campaign so far, Federal Election Commission records show.

Rapoport said in a statement Thursday that “it would be tragic if an excellent and unblemished 20 year political career were fatally damaged by a disgraceful dirty trick, only to find it out when it is too late.  And to this political observer, that could be exactly what’s happening.”

Eight people have been arrested so far in the Donovan fund-raising scandal, which the U.S. Attorney’s office says involved a conspiracy in behalf of owners of “roll-your-own” tobacco shops to funnel $27,500 in contributions to Donovan’s campaign, in hopes that he would block legislation to impose new taxes and fees on such smoke shops. The legislation failed at first, but then passed in a special session about two weeks after the scandal became public May 31. Donovan denies any knowledge of or participation in such a scheme, and has not been accused of wrongdoing. But the issue has plagued his campaign.

“I support his candidacy and have been proud to contribute to it,” said Rapoport.  “That said, if he participated in a scheme to block legislation in return for illegal campaign contributions, he shouldn’t be in Congress. But how did this all come about?  Where did this tempest come from?  There has been no indication so far that there is a broader investigation of corruption.  Why did the US Attorney choose to undertake this investigation of roll your own tobacco shops in Waterbury, and why did the FBI take such an active role in posing as tobacco shop owners and offering money?  Who benefits from this scandal?  Is there any connection between the US Attorney’s office and any other candidates? Are there connections between any participants in the scheme and any other candidates?  Shouldn’t we be troubled by the laser like precision and timing of the indictments and arrests?”

The Courant has called the U.S. Attorney’s office seeking comment.

“It is astonishing to me that so little curiosity has been expressed in the press about where this investigation came from and how it unfolded.  That question is critically important in understanding what has happened, but has gotten almost no attention,” Rapoport said. He originally submitted his statement as a letter to the editor but also e-mailed it to a Courant reporter and said a story could be written about it, too.

Since 2001, Rapoport has been president of New York City-based Demos, a liberal non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization. Its website says it works to promote “a more equitable economy; a vibrant and inclusive democracy; an empowered public sector that works for the common good; and responsible U.S. engagement in an interdependent world.”