posted on February 16, 2002 04:53:35 AM new
It seems that one of the coveted "Republican of the Year" awards will go unawarded this year....
SUFFOLK -- A previous commitment will keep a Suffolk man from traveling
to Washington, D.C., to accept a Republican of the Year award: He's
serving a 26-year state prison sentence.
Spokesmen for the National Republican Congressional Committee, an arm
of the Republican National Committee that raises millions of dollars to
elect GOP candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives,
acknowledged Tuesday that convicted sex offender Mark A. Grethen was
invited to accept the award at its Business Advisory Council's luncheon in
March. U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., chairs the NRCC.
Grethen, 44, a former businessman, was convicted last year of six sex
crimes involving children -- two counts each of forcible sodomy, aggravated
sexual battery and indecent liberties. He is in the Deep Meadow
Correctional Center, and his projected release date is Sept. 25, 2024. He
faces supervised probation upon his release.
Grethen, one of 500 people nationwide selected for the award, would have
had to pay his own travel fees had he gone to the event, Forti said. Further,
he would have been asked for a contribution to attend the meeting itself.
Grethen contributed $750 to the campaign committee over a few years,
and his last donation was in 2000, according to the NRCC. He was
selected for the award ``through our own donor history,'' Forti said.
The NRCC doesn't want his money, and will turn ``every penny'' over to a
group that helps victims, said Stephen Schmidt, the NRCC's
communications director.
U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, cqR-11th District, chairs the NRCC, which is
dedicated to electing Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Last month, the group announced it had raised $68.6 million in 2001 -- the
most it had ever raised in a nonelection year.
posted on February 16, 2002 03:05:45 PM new
I think that he should get the award. I mean, if a clearly convicted felon won't get it, then some yet-to-be convicted felon will. Furthermore, it would show everyone that Republicans aren't scared of a few measily felony convictions, no matter what they're for. After all, if Republicans were afraid of felony convictions, why would they be doing what they do best?
Borillar
"Friends don't let friends vote republican"
