Thread by @RebsBrannon

🧵THREAD III #MNGOP

1/19

During my investigation several months ago, I obtained recordings from multiple sources.

There is so much out there known among MNGOP activists & delegates, but I’ll briefly touch on some of the alleged questionable, unethical behavior & toxicity..

2/19

...I uncovered surrounding Chairwoman Carnahan.

In speaking w/ former employees & top aides, sources corroborated numerous instances of unprofessional behavior not becoming of a state party chair.

Sources often described Chairwoman Carnahan’s drunk and abusive behavior..

3/19

..while on the job and at official RNC and MNGOP events - notably with Anton Lazzaro frequently traveling with her or attending a number of these events with her.

Lazzaro is pictured here with Carnahan and Finance Chair Jennifer Larson at an 2018 RNC event.

4/19

In this recording, an intoxicated Carnahan is w/ another State Party Chair at an RNC event, offering to pay for a hotel for an activist's hotel. Carnahan says of her husband, Congressman Jim Hagedorn, “I don’t care… Jim’s gonna’ be dead in two years. So be it.”

5/19

Sources including former and current employees tell me this type of behavior is frequent of the Chairwoman.

This behavior at times had in addition spurred some top aides and activists to also call into question the Chairwoman’s lavish out-of-state traveling expenses.

6/19

Sources detailed how Carnahan would sometimes even vacation w/ MNGOP staffers - and it’s unclear how those expenses were paid.

These snapchat messages are from right before her '21 re-election in which a female staffer describes having to share a room w/ Spencer Krier.

7/19

Note these messages regarding Krier are separate at issue regarding other allegations I described earlier in the week, but they do offer more insight to how others felt uncomfortable around him.

“I would not be comfortable sleeping in the same room as Spencer TBH”

8/19

For other background, earlier this year the MNGOP had cut the hours of full-time staff due to financial restraints. Meanwhile the MNDFL had added new staff to boost political operations. Despite party financial hardship forcing hour cutbacks for staffers...

9/19

... Carnahan’s last reported salary was still six figures. And despite her salary, public FEC filings show Carnahan reimbursed herself thousands of dollars from party funds. Since 2020 and up until April at the time of my investigating, Carnahan had spent over $23,000...

10/19

.. with MNGOP funds on extravagant travel and lodging outside Minnesota. An example of out-of-state travel cost to MNGOP donors included:

A Hilton hotel stay for $2,226.44 in Virginia on January 29, 2021
A Ritz-Carlton stay for $735.84 in Missouri on December 28, 2020

11/19

Furthermore, a former staffer shared with me how they were aware the Chairwoman allegedly and fraudulently misappropriated party fund reimbursements into her personal bank account… and was able to do so because of the lack of financial oversight at the MNGOP...

12/19

In one corroborated account, Carnahan allegedly purchased around $3,000-$5,000 in gift baskets from Harry and David’s for donors with her personal credit card - and then allegedly reimbursed herself from MNGOP funds a slightly higher amount for what the baskets...

13/19

...were actually purchased. On top of this, Carnahan then requested a refund from the vendor with a claim the fruit was 'rotten' and was able to receive a partial refund BACK into HER personal bank account.

Since there has been no financial audit granted by Carnahan...

14/19

... or successfully voted for by the 15 member Exec. Board - this and many other similar fraud allegations I uncovered from current and former staffers can’t be entirely proven or disapproved due to lack of access to the finance records Carnahan keeps undisclosed.

15/19

Sources had also detailed how Carnahan would abuse her power to intimidate activists with MNGOP resources - routinely using party funds to pay for lawyers to send legal documents - not for the purpose of furthering party goals, but for personal vendettas.

16/19

Another former employees shared with me how Carnahan would even regularly withhold vendor payments or employee paychecks until oppressive NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) were signed - sometimes with the influence and help of her close friend Anton Lazzaro.

17/19

A former employee told me,

“Some of out it is even out there… just look at the FEC reports and you’ll find some clues for [former Executive Director] Becky Alery. Jennifer does whatever she can to intimidate & blackmail others. It’s why so many never speak out.”

18/19

There are just SOME of the red flags as to why activists and delegates were and have been calling for the 15 members of the Executive Board to request a full financial audit from Carnahan.

There still has been no financial audit to this day.

19/19

It should also be reminded that back in 2018, Carnahan wanted a percentage cut of all big donor fundraising money... adding to the long list of reasons necessary for a full financial audit - especially given her close friend Anton Lazzaro's frequent large contributions.