On June 19th, Mike Bichard (CD2 Budget Committeeman) sent the following email:
From: Michael Bichard
Date: Jun 19, 2024
To: John Elliott, Leon Farris
Cc: Nathan Dahm, Charity Linch, Wayne Hill, Larry Murray
Subject: May FEC Filing, May Financials
Good Afternoon sirs,
Once again I ask for the financial statements, P&L, balance sheets, etc. for the month ending May 2024. I know that the filings typically happen on the 20th of the month.
I had asked several questions about the disposition of the financials of the convention held on May 3rd & 4th. The body of that email is here sent 05/23/2024
We are approaching the end of week 3 since the end of the Convention on May 3rd & 4th. What can you tell me about the reconciliation of the convention costs? Is there a designated time that Cvent has in order to provide the full accounting of the convention income and expenses? I would like to know that information. What are their contractual obligations in regards to reporting.
To date there has not been a response to this, as a Budget Committee Member, I’m entitled to this information as ANY OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER OR REPUBLICAN in the OKGOP. Why would either of you want to ignore my requests? The convention has now been over for 46 days, all accounting for the event should be complete by now.
At the State Committee Meeting just prior to the Convention, you were directed by the Resolution of the State Committee to provide a full financial accounting of the convention costs. 46 days later, we are STILL waiting. Do you plan to come to the next State Committee Meeting on 6/29 empty-handed again?
I’m asking that you do your duty and provide the information as requested. Having to wait each month for the FEC filing isn’t sufficient for reporting to members of the Budget Committee, nor is a report of the financials from the State Convention as directed by the State Committee, which is a flagrant disregard of your duties.
Finally, I’m asking that each of you update your email address for me to reflect the following, this is the email on record with OKGOP. <EMAIL ADDRESS>
In Liberty,
Mike Bichard
Craig County Chairman
CD2 Budgetman
Receiving no response, he sent a follow-up email on June 26th:
From: Michael Bichard
Date: June 26, 2024
To: John Elliott, Leon Farris
Cc: Nathan Dahm, Charity Linch, Wayne Hill, Larry Murray
Subject: Re: May FEC Filing, May Financials
Good Evening sirs,
Exactly 1 week ago I requested several pieces of information regarding financial documents for the month ending May 31 2024. I have since been included in an article by David Arnett, whereas he quotes the Budget Committee Chairman Leon Farris as saying ” I have the details and it was available to anyone that wanted to look at it during the meetings“. I’m requesting that a rule be quoted indicating that the details can only be looked at “DURING THE MEETINGS” I’m curious to know which meeting? The last budget committee meeting was canceled, the report provided to the SC meeting just prior to the State Convention was severely lacking any details, and there was no offer to “show the details”.
The concern by the Chair and Vice Chair of the OKGOP or is it of the Chair of the BC? I’ve not heard that concern from VC Hill, so what you are saying is: ND wants to impose his will over the release of information that I’m entitled to as a member of this committee instead of the Chairman of the Committee providing the transparency that has been the issue since day 1 of the ND Regime.
Let’s also review the SC meeting on May 3rd, whereas ND and thus you, the Treasurer and BC Chair, were given a directive by the SC to provide a full accounting of the State Convention due to the outrage of the members over the cost. Where is that report? Its now been 54 days since the convention. And yet your silence is deafening.
In the article, Chairman Farris also points out that there was/is an issue of Salaried Subcontractors, of which the Executive Director is one. The budget committee’s requirement for approving that ongoing expenditure was a review of, and approval of the Executive Director’s duties and responsibilities. However, that document was not provided until the END of the BC meeting and has NEVER been officially reviewed OR approved. Additionally, the ED Stan Stevens is listed as “Political Strategy Consulting” on the FEC reports submitted by our Treasurer. We don’t have the duties and responsibilities of a “Political Strategy Consultant”, we do however have duties and responsibilities for an UNAPPROVED Executive Director. Which is it?
Let’s review a few rules for the budget committee:
14(b) – Authority and Duties: It shall be the responsibility of the State Budget Committee, and it shall have the power and authority, to prepare budgets designating the amount, classification and priority of expenditures to be made from funds of the Republican State Committee, (the funds raised are the property of the STATE COMMITTEE and not ND) giving due consideration to the estimated availability of funds. By appropriate actions and resolutions, it shall prescribe rules and regulation governing the fiscal affairs of the Republican Party organizations, including the procedure required for recommendations to the State Committee of amounts to be included in budgets and the incurring of obligations under such budgets. Read that part again, the BC through appropriate actions and resolutions, SHALL prescribe RULES and REGULATION …..
Why Chairman Farris and Treasurer Elliot do you remain silent on these questions, why must I as a BC member rely on the FEC for the information I’m seeking? Is there something in the details beyond what I can dig through the FEC website that you do not want anyone to see?
Can we not just do the right thing by the people who elected us to our respective positions and represent them with honor and integrity?
The State Committee meets again in a couple of days, while I don’t see your particular positions on the agenda, please be prepared with data.
In Liberty,
Mike Bichard
Craig County Chairman