TRUTH AZ Committee Formed Exposing Arizona's Sham Candidates in Recordings

PHOENIX, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A group of bi-partisan Arizona citizens today filed with the Secretary of State's office forming the TRUTH AZ Committee, in response to overwhelming evidence that ties "sham" Green candidates to an election hoax. TRUTH AZ launched its website, www.TruthAZ.com, which contains taped phone calls and video interviews of sham candidates revealing their true colors, and their ties to incumbent legislators and a high-level state government staffer.  The site allows voters to listen and hear for themselves what these sham candidates have said about their candidacy, and learn the truth about the hoax taking place across the state.

Michael Manning, co-chair of TRUTH AZ, said "We have evidence that supports some elected officials and candidates being involved in the misuse of taxpayer's dollars, recordings of candidates admitting to deceptive behavior, and the involvement of high-level state employees in this hoax."

TRUTH AZ committee members include:

• Michael Manning, co-chair, Democrat and lawyer known for exposing wrong-doing;
• Karen Schroeder, co-chair, Democrat and politically active lawyer and adjunct professor;
• Jeffrey Covill, treasurer, Independent, formerly a Republican, financial consultant
• Nelson Ladd, co-chair, lifelong Republican and precinct worker, retired nuclear physicist
• Shawn Nelson, co-chair, Independent, Ron Paul supporter and business owner

TruthAZ.com outlines a series of unusual circumstances surrounding newly registered sham "Green" candidates, and finds that the election hoax of 2008 is being recreated in grand-scale.

These suspicious circumstances involve 14 sham "Green" candidates linked through deceptive activity, including:

• Nearly all filed as "Green" candidates on the same day and within hours, showing a coordinated effort;
• Ten changed party registration from Republican to Green within few days of filing;
• Official members of the Green Party OPPOSE all candidates;
• State legislative staffer John Mills, who is paid by Arizona taxpayers, is linked to and helps coordinate the hoax;
• Sham "Green" candidate Christopher Campbell is registered to vote at the address of Rep. Jim Weiers' daughter, claims close ties to Sen. Linda Gray, and admits on tape to being a sham candidate with the only goal being to hurt the legitimate democratic candidate. (Audio recording is available at www.TruthAZ.com)  

"As a lifetime Republican, this is not about Republicans and Democrats, this is about having faith in our political system," said Nelson Ladd a retired nuclear physicist and co-chair of the Committee.  "It's our responsibility to alert the voters and taxpayers of Arizona about this type of unethical and deceitful activity," he added.  

Two years ago, this strategy worked in LD10. After the 2008 election, a clear case was made showing that public money was given to sham "Green" Candidate Margarite Dale, who gave the money to consultants affiliated with Representative Jim Weiers, Sen. Linda Gray and Fmr. Representative Qualland. With the aid of Weiers, Qualland and Kimberly Yee and/or their families, Ms. Dale, their opponent in the election, was able to qualify for the Clean Elections funds.  Ms. Dale used some of the money to buy a camera, a laptop and desktop and software, which she was able to keep beyond the campaign.  The remainder of the funds were used to launch a mudslinging effort against Democratic Candidate Jackie Thrasher, a former teacher.  This model for a hoax campaign is being staged again in 2010 across the state.

"TRUTH AZ is determined to shed light on this re-occurring hoax so Arizona voters can make a well-informed decision when they take the time to cast their votes this election season," said Michael Manning.  "We will make every effort to expose the deceit, call out these candidates, and monitor tax payers' dollars which may go to sham candidates; all to protect voter rights and the democratic process in Arizona and the nation."

About TRUTH AZ

TRUTH AZ is a non-partisan group created to inform voters of an organized effort by some incumbent legislators to deceive voters and through both illegal and unethical acts in the 2010 elections. Visit the website at www.truthaz.com to learn about the hoax, listen to recordings and view video.  The committee is made up of two independents, one Republican and  two Democrats.

SOURCE TRUTH AZ