When the results of the Missouri Ethics Commission investigation into robocalls and mailings in Brentwood before the 2012 municipal election were released on Dec. 17, the Riverfront Times called Glenn Jamboretz, the now-known-culprit behind the anonymous campaign material.
Jamboretz was also responsible for sending a copy of “The Caine Mutiny,” a jar of strawberry jam, and marbles to candidate Maureen Saunders and a few of her supporters. In that book, Captain Queeg loses it, and hoards strawberries.
He told the RFT the literary symbols expressed what he and sone friends thought of Saunders.
“The woman has a temper issue,” Jamboretz told the RFT. “This woman is written up all the time for her belligerent terrorism.”
The three anonymous mailings are what got him in trouble, and he wasn’t alone.
According to the Riverfront Times, Jamboretz and four or five city employees, including a firefighter, police officers, decided to send out the three mailers discouraging Brentwood’s women voters from supporting Saunders. He says he targeted women because “they’re the most sensitive to voting.”
All told, Jamboretz spent more than $950 in election materials, and Missouri law says you can’t spend that much without registering as a committee first. He said he didn’t know that.
He said the offense was like getting caught speeding.
“I didn’t know the speed limit was 30 miles per hour,” he said. “I thought it was 40. We just had some fun with it and I paid the price,” he told the RFT.
Read the full article in the Riverfront Times
.
I was the one that filed the complaint with the Missouri Ethics Commission related to the disgraceful campaign literature that was distributed during the 2012 campaign. Although I live in Ward 3, I didn’t think that the literature that was being distributed in Ward 1 was appropriate and ethical. It reflected badly on the City of Brentwood. It also mirrored similar literature that was distributed in 2005, when I ran for Office.
Although I am grateful that the Ethics Commission was able to locate the source of the materials, I am disappointed that they did not identify “the people of substance who prefer to stay behind the scenes” as was mentioned in the Commission’s “Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law”. This type of disgraceful activity will continue until we can understand who is funding such campaigns. Unfortunately in the future they will be more discreet. And one also needs to question who these “persons of substance” are that have so much interest in making sure that the mayor and some of the other BOA members stay in office.
And of course one also has to wonder why the City of Brentwood and the mayor would conduct business with an individual such as Mr. Jamboretz. His most recent comments in the Riverfront Times reflect poorly on his character and if truly made, are defamation of character and could even be in violation of HIPPA laws if someone’s health records were accessed. Clearly, Mr. Jamobretz’s fine was not sufficient enough for him to question his actions and behaviors.
I agree with the earlier comment — I wish Maureen Sanders was my Alderperson
Tom – I have the word of Jamboretz on that, who spoke to the Riverfront Times.
Being a Brentwood Fire Fighter, I know that is completely untrue. No Fire Fighters were ever involved in this.
And we all believe Jamboretz because he has shown himself to be SO honorable. Doug. I hope this venture is successful but beware of “the US government is filled with card carrying communists”
Where’s the proof that any city employees were involved in this ? Show some facts if you’re going to print that.
I don’t think I would recommend a city hiring an advertising firm that doesn’t either “know the Missouri laws” or doesn’t bother to research them. Maureen Saunders knows (or finds out) what the law is, what the city is doing and then works to correct the mistakes. Most people can’t be bothered to spend the amount of time needed to keep watch on government. Thank goodness there are people like Maureen Saunders. A few more would be a wonderful blessing.
So were city funds used for these mailings? This is from Sept 16, 2009, Ways and Means Committee meeting. The city has used Jamboretz for Christmas advertising.
“The Committee was given a presentation by Glenn Jamboretz for the purpose of utilizing Mr. Jamboretz’s agency as a public relations firm. The proposal would include radio ads, e-mail promotions, special events and possible advertising at metrolink stations. The fee for this service would be approximately $110,000 for the last quarter of this year and another $250,000 for all of 2010. The committee decided to discuss the proposal further. No action was taken at this time”
Hey Jamboretz, don’t send that crap to our house any more. Idiot.
Mr. Jambo has never met Alderman Saunders, and this is not his first time being in trouble for his being a politcal hit man. It is sad that the mayor of “the city of Warmth” would bring this type of person into our community. Even sadder that our public servants who live off our tax dollars spend their time being part of such a malicious campaign that hurts our community.
I have known Maureen for a while now. Wish she was my alderperson, but alas, I am in ward 3 not 1. Comparing her to Queeg, is a compliment. One of the best movies ever made.
Mr. Jamboretz apparently doesn’t know the difference between strawberries and strawberry jam.
Actually this is wrong; Capt. Queeg believes someone ELSE is hording strawberries. Jamboretz should look in the mirror…as I would diagnose HIM as depressed with strong agitation; possibly a stalker if unchecked.
Actually stealing strawberries–but his hording them…no.