What's going on with the finances of the Minutemen?

[ck4829]

Chris Simcox, president of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, took to the vigilante group’s online message board to blast Washington Times reporter Jerry Seper for his articles questioning MCDC’s financial management. “This guy is obtuse and can't be this downright dumb which is why I feel he purposefully misstates and, misquotes me and others,” wrote Simcox of the reporter at the right-wing newspaper, whom he called an “idiot.” Simcox went on, “Sinister Seper distorts/confuses facts on purpose -is he stupid or is he doing it on purpose- out to bring us down -don't underestimate the Bush family connection.”

One can understand Simcox’s anger. Most news media – including, until recently, the Washington Times – have been more than willing to accept Simcox’s claims about volunteers, fundraising, and spending at face value. More and more, however, it appears they don’t add up. The heavily marketed “border fence project” was downgraded from an “Israeli-style” barrier to a “standard cattle fence” that “wouldn’t stop a tricycle,” in the words of one vigilante. Now, the IRS disclosure form (990) the group has made available – while limited to calendar year 2005 – calls into question more of the claims made by its charismatic founder.

In September of 2005, as the group was gearing up for one of its “vigils” along the U.S.-Mexico border, the group’s Texas coordinator quit, alleging financial impropriety. “Chris is one of these people, he's almost intoxicating to listen to, and you want to believe what he says,” the disgruntled former Minuteman leader said. "But he doesn't back it up.”

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/2006/11/more_on_minutem.html

[MadMaddie]

1. Sounds like a typical Repug leader...sometimes Charismatic

but in the end they are greedy, sinners....

[xchrom]

2. blame the media as well simcox.

they decided to ride the minute man bull shit like a gang raped white woman vacationing in aruba.

no fact reporting -- no investigation -- nothing.