Will Bachmann and Romney post bail money for their fraudster donor pal 'Bobby Thompson?'

Bachmann and Romney donor "Bobby Thompson"

By Karl Bremer

The same week the fugitive and big-spending Republican Party contributor-on-the-lam known as “Bobby Thompson” was captured in Portland, OR, by federal marshals after a nationwide manhunt, one of the recipients of “Thompson’s” largesse, Michele Bachmann, endorsed another—Mitt Romney—for president.

Coincidence—or an attempt by the now-amorous politicians to divert attention from their connection to what may be one of the largest charity scams in U.S. history?

“Thompson” donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Republican candidates and Republican Party entities, all of it suspected to be skimmed from his fraudulent charity, the U.S. Navy Veterans Association.  He donated $10,000 to Michele Bachmann’s congressional campaign in 2010 and $2,300 to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign in 2007. In an attempt to wash her hands of the dirty money in the glare of unwelcome publicity over the donation, Bachmann donated her campaign's share of the donation to two legitimate veterans’ organizations. The Republican Party of Minnesota kept their share of the donation from "Thompson."

Federal authorities believe "Thompson" may have raised close to $100 million through his fraudulent scheme, which operated in up to 40 states, including Minnesota. Little of the money raised was ever spent on veterans as it was claimed.

After “Thompson” was captured April 30, authorities found $1 million in cash in two suitcases in an Oregon storage locker rented by “Thompson.” Numerous birth certificates and other forms of ID also were stashed in the locker.

Federal and state authorities still do not know the true identity of “Bobby Thompson,” who was carrying several persons’ identification on him when he was arrested,

The Minnesota chapter of the U.S. Navy Veterans Association raised more than $1.5 million from 2003-2009. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office has declined to investigate the charity. However the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board fined “Thompson” $21,000 for fraudulent campaign contributions made to Minnesota candidates.

“Thompson” is the subject of a chapter in the book “The Madness of Michele Bachmann: A Broad-Minded Survey of a Small-Minded Candidate,” co-authored by myself and Ken Avidor and Eva Young of DumpBachmann.com.