Attorney General Asks KnowThyNeighbor.org to Assist With Fraud; Assigns Civil Investigator

Manchester-by-the-Sea, October 3, 2005 - Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General Peter Sacks contacted KnowThyNeighbor.org today for assistance with fraud reporting related to signature collection for the initiative petition to end same-sex marriage.

All allegations of fraud must now be directed to a newly appointed Civil Investigator, Nicholas Paras. Mr. Paras will be scrutinizing the reports of bait-and-switch and other improprieties that have been streaming in to the AG's office through KnowThyNeighbor.org and other sources.

Peter Sacks has instructed KnowThyNeighbor.org to make the investigator's information available on its website as soon as possible and to provide the following information to all Massachusetts voters who believe that they have signed this petition in error (either due to fraud or mistake):

1. Immediately contact your Local Town/City Clerk or Registrar. You will have to appear in person with the proper identification. This must be the clerk for the town in which you are a registered voter.
2. Request that your name be removed from the petition. Document your request and ask if the actual petition that you signed has yet been presented to the Town Clerk. The timing of this request MUST be as near the time of signing as possible as the Town/City Clerk needs to stop the signed copy before it is verified and entered on the log. Attorney Sacks explained that the Town/City Clerks should understand this responsibility.
3. Document everything, including the reason why you believe that your name should be removed, whether or not your City/Town Clerk was able to delete your name, and if your City/Town Clerk was helpful or not responsive.  Copy this information for yourself and send documentation to:
   
   Nicholas Paras, Civil Investigator
   Attorney General's Office
   McCormack Building
   One Ashburton Place
   Boston, MA 02108
   (617) 727-2200 x2883
   nicholas.paras@ago.state.ma.us

Please all take note of this and continue to report any and all cases of fraud.  KnowThyNeighbor.org remains committed to assisting the public in its understanding of the initiative petition process.  KnowThyNeighbor.org applauds the Attorney General for assigning a Civil Investigator in respect to these very serious reports which are surfacing across our Commonwealth.  We will continue to assist his office as directed.

Tom Lang, Director

Comments

[LazyEights]

Thanks for the heads up.

Lazy

[Joe S]

Now if we can only get the IRS to investigate the SEVERAL 501(3)(c) violations against the Catholic Church and other Christian churches that went beyond the scope of their boundries by providing "signing stations" and handing out petitions in church.

When will someone be investigating these churches?

[Miss P.]

I and thousands of others agree with you, Joe S. I'm hoppin' mad that these religious organizations are getting away with breaking the law, and I'm going to let my state senator, state rep, Congressman, and Senator know. I suggest those of you who share my sentiments do the same, and if you're not sure who your legislators are, go here: http://www.massequality.org/action/index.html

Here's the pertinent section of IRS code:

http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=120703,00.html

Political and Lobbying Activities

(Adapted from IRS Publication 1828, Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations - February 2004)

Lobbying Activity

In general, no organization may qualify for section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.

Legislation includes action by Congress, any state legislature, any local council, or similar governing body, with respect to acts, bills, resolutions, or similar items (such as legislative confirmation of appointive office), or by the public in referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. It does not include actions by executive, judicial, or administrative bodies.

An organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation if it contacts, or urges the public to contact, members or employees of a legislative body for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or opposing legislation, or if the organization advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation.

Organizations may, however, involve themselves in issues of public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, organizations may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

[Marc Johnson]

I've forwarded a copy of this to Target headquarters in Minneapolis. TARGET FORBIDS ANY KIND OF SOLICITATIONS ON THEIR PROPERTY. Period.

We visited Oregon back in 1997 - at the height of their discriminatory ballot initiative. We stopped by a Target store in Klackamas, where a couple of people soliciting signatures were posted at the front entrance. Not only were they soliciting signatures, but they were holding a couple of VERY offensive signs/posters (save our children, etc.).

After notifying the store manager, they were immediately ejected off of Target property, and we received a letter from Target HQ explaining their no solicitation policy and apologizing for the incident.

[Mjant45]

Stop and Shop also has the same policy of not allowing political solicitations. If this happens, you should report it immediately to the store manager and remind them of their corporate policy.

[Joe S]

BIG Y Supermarkets has the same "No Soliciting" policy...

if you see the petitioners...see the manager IMMEDIATELY...they will be removed.

[Miss P.]

I called Shaw's and explained my encounter with a guy from Nebraska who was hawking a "buy wine in supermarkets" petition and denied having the "I hate queers" petition, which I found half-way throught the stack of wine petitions on the same clip board.

Their policy is this: They have an open solicitation policy and allow solicitation for petitions. The person to whom I spoke said petitioners "have a legal right under the law" to be there.

In fact, Shaw's supports the wine petition and is affiliated with a petitioning firm to get signatures. However, she was not pleased to hear that this person had mixed in the anti-gay petition and asked me to get his name so they could take action if he's being less than truthful, etc.

On issues like gay marriage, she said, they remain neutral as they serve a diverse population.

I told her that guy from Nebraska--who I knew didn't come all that way because of wine--made me so angry that I thought my blood would burst through my veins, and that I would just avoid the Shaw's in my town until I knew he was gone, because I'm afraid I might punch him in the head if I see him again. That's when she asked me to get his name and let them know about him so they could take action if he was being obscure/deceitful.

[FranG]

Has anyone asked these people who told them to collect marriage signatures when they were hired to collect wine signatures? Was it their boss? Did he/she have contact with the marriage petition organizers? Or did someone just walk up to them and ask them to collect signatures for this too? Is the civil investigator looking in to who was behind this fraud or are we just going to beleive that they acted independently because they believed in the anti-gay marriage cause?

[Deb]

There was a gentleman asking for signatures on a petition to sell beer and wine outside Oakdale Plaza on the Tewksbury-Lowell line today. If you signed the petition he then asked you to sign a second petition....turns out the 2nd petition was the marriage petition.

[Tom Lang]

FranG

I don't participate in the blogs as much as I should as I am usually on the telephone trying to make things happen here at KnowThyNeighbor, but your email needs to be answered. The AG's Civil Investigator knows about all the circumstances regarding the fraud.

There were two out-of-state companies hired to collect signatures. The Massachusetts Food Association hired one to collect for the beer/wine petition and our foes hired the other company. From what we can see, we believe that both of these petition companies draw from the same "labor" pool and outsourced or sub-contracted labor. Therefore, in my opinion, the two companies were either directly or indirectly working together.

Now since it seems, as you point out, that the "technique" of signature collection with the two petitions being worked together is consistent across the state, one might deduce that a "single order" was given. I do not believe for one minute that any of these signature collectors acted on their own accord without clear explanations of techniques, what to say, how to fraud, etc. And that they were well instructed. The emails that KTN.org has received from all over the state plus our own personal field observations are too consistent. But that is only my "opinion."

Tom Lang, Director

[karen]

there was a guy out at the market basket on the Dracut/Lowell line sunday.
he asked if i would sign the petition to sell beer and wine i ask if he was from around here he said no he was from California and was getting a dollar a signature.

[John Hosty]

Organised religion. You will never find a more retched hive of scum and vilinny. They live without a conciense and act with no honor.

[Tyler]

John -

You wrote:
Organised religion. You will never find a more retched hive of scum and vilinny. They live without a conciense and act with no honor.

Let me point out a few things.

Organized religion ended slavery. Organized religion may be perceived to have started slavery as well, but good Christians ended it.

Organized religion feeds millions of hungry around the world.

Organized religion has housed and fed many of the evacuees of New Orleans.

Organized (Christian) religion threw countless resources into the tsunami devasted, primarily muslim, countries.

So...ummm...what's so bad about organized religion anyway?

[Reuben]

I'm glad to hear the KTN.org is making such an impact on the community there. And I'm extremely pleased to hear that the AG's office appointed a civil investigator. You're making great headway. Thanks to you AND to everyone involved. You guys (and girls) are an inspiration!

[mark snyder]

Thank you for joining us (queertoday.com) in great numbers in bringing back the activism in the queer community! We were starting to feel lonely!

[John Hosty]

Tyler, ever hear of the crusades, The Spanish Inquisition, or the Salem Witch Trials to name a few? How about ethnic cleansing, and jihad? "And the Lord said 'I give you religion.' And the devil said, "Hey, let me organize it for you." It is discusting how the church is trying to diflect the attention off their own polititcal fire storm by giving the masses something else to look at. "Here ya go, over here see. Good boy."

[Cherie Johnson]

Perhaps all the gay and lesbian organizations should come together and speak with one voice to let the nation know that we aren't going to take anymore of the dung slung from the "moral majority" anymore.
It really is time to stand up and get out of the "this don't affect me" attitude, and come out of the closet. All the "mainstream" gay folk...those who still live in fear, it is time to rise up and be heard.
I saw this website on the KTN blog and looked at their site. I think a demonstration to protest Focus on the Family is a great idea and I would hope that everyone who is able and willing would go.
I think what KTN has done is incredible, but I also think that if MassEquality, HRC, Queer Today, PFLAG,KTN and all the other groups came together and fought this together, we would gain ground. I honestly think that one group here or there holding a protest won't have as great of an impact as having multiple group gatherings. There is obviously power in numbers, look at the religious groups...very well funded and organized. They all came together.
Rise up brothers and sisters, and stand together as one.

http://www.queertoday.com/

October 29th, 2005 Demonstration Schedule

7:30AM: 88 Tremont Street LGBTQ.. & Allies Large-Scale Protest against anti-gay conference by Focus On The Family. The "Love Won Out" Conference teaches participants to "cure" and "prevent" homosexuality. Their messages and attitudes are especially dangerous to queer youth who are around 4 times more likely to attempt suicide.

12PM: We'll join the Anti-war Rally at the Boston Common. QueerToday.com will help inform & invite the marchers to protest at the "Love Won Out" Conference.

1PM: We'll return to 88 Tremont Street and prepare to welcome thousands of anti-war protesters who will join our demonstration against Focus On The Family. Love Won Out? SHUT IT DOWN!

[Joe S]

Cherie

Sounds great! I encourage EVERYONE TO GO!

[jeff]

John Hosty

I see your concerns with organized religion, the Church has had serious failures and serious advances in its movement--
But those of us who are trying to follow the way of Christ do not always agree on the same responses and actions--
At the end of the day we have to deal with trying to live like Jesus, with compassion, mercy, and hope--

[keith]

actually, it was the same kind of 'organized religion', which we are up against today, that jesus was preaching against. it's not a spiritual entity, it's a political one masquerading as such, preying on people's fears and prejudices in order to disperse their own vitriol, to yoke people to their brand of 'reality as it should be.' it's not organised religion that is the evil, it is the people who cloak themselves in it, using it to their own evil ends. they no nothing of jesus or of god.

[Tyler]

John Hosty -

There was a time when I thought you should change your title to "John Hostile", then there was a time when I thought you were starting to act more reasonably, so I developed a different perception of you, and now, you are back to being John Hostile again.

Ethnic Cleansing and Jihad are the result of:

1) Atheism. Hitler was an atheist.

2) Fundamental Islam (which, I might add, is EXTREMELY intolerant of homosexuality).

Perhaps I should have clarified my definition of "organized religion" to "developed relationship". Christianity is the only "religion" that is not a religion at all - it's a personal relationship with the God of Creation through His Son Jesus Christ. Waaaaaaaaay different than trying to "earn" one's own entry into heaven.

But...hey, if you need to define things in such a way that it justifies all your anger towards what does not exist, that's cool. I just needed to point that out to those that are still trying to figure it out, not those that have already put religion into a box and defined that box as, what was the term? "retched hive of scum and vilinny (sic)" Your words...

It's really evident here, and not worth wasting my time, that all of the anger, hatred, and blindness is held by those who want to redefine society, not those that wish to protect the bedrock for future generations.

To quote the Bible, as so many like to do (out of context, I might add), "Whatsoever a man sows he will also reap."

We are in the throes of the most rapid decent in morality in the history of the world, and we're living in a time where one's morals are purely relative, based on the subjective evidence of their individual experiences (or desires) rather than the objective truth of the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Blessings!

[John Hosty]

Jeff there are many many good people that are Christians and that is what I count on. Remember it is a sin to watch harm come to someone while you do nothing. The very existence of this petition is a harm of its own as it shows such a low level of respect that it in-and-of-itself is a vessel of bigotry. My prayer is that good people will start to think on their own and say to themselves, "Why do we need to take away gay marriage, I just don't see anything bad happening that makes for a need to end it." For those of you who would stand in arguement with the rabid masses of anti-gay religious zealots, my hat is if off to you. You will take your place in history and your families will be proud. Those who live by hate know where they are going and can take a seat next to Strom Thermon and Gov. Wallace at the back of the bus that goes there.

[John Hosty]

Tyler, You really need to be more informed in your points before you make them. As each mistake is caught it draws away from your credibility and lessons your arguement's value. Ethinc cleansing in former Yugoslavia was between two warring religious viewpoints, Christian and Muslim, not atheism. And make no mistake, when Al-Qieda comes back to town there are not going to care if you are straight or gay, they are just going to kill as many Christians as they can. You use a lot of unqualified pronouns and don't have a lot to say about the actual subject, which is "why does gay marriage have to end?" Oh, and by the way. I was one of the youth leaders that went to Denver Colorado to see Pope John Paul II in August of 1993 from St' Joseph's you groug in Salem, N.H. So I really do think I am quite well informed as to how religion works, more so than you.

[FranG]

Thanks for the clarification, Tom. I am not a conspiracy kind of person, but its so freaky that the Mass Food Association director's name is Flynn. hahaha. With your explanation, though, it seems to me that this was probably more a greedy businessman than our foes trying to dupe people. I mean you are who you associate with, but I would hope that the anti-marriage petition leaders will follow the lead of the Food association and reject these signatures and distance themselves from this 'business' person.

[John Hosty]

7:30AM: 88 Tremont Street LGBTQ.. & Allies Large-Scale Protest against anti-gay conference by Focus On The Family. The "Love Won Out" Conference teaches participants to "cure" and "prevent" homosexuality. Their messages and attitudes are especially dangerous to queer youth who are around 4 times more likely to attempt suicide.