IBEW Local 665 is not taking “no” for an answer from Mayor Virg Bernero about its $5,000 contribution to Bernero’s 527 fundraising account.
On Monday, the union filed a lawsuit in Ingham County court against Bernero, the “City Administrative Account” and Charles L. Moore (the man who handles its books) alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment and fraud. Strong words.
The whole case is based on a donation stemming from a fundraising letter from the “Lansing Booster Club” back in 2006. As I reported in my Oct. 15 column, the money actually went to Bernero’s 527 account, which he has used for a wide variety of activities that he says are related to his job as mayor.
IBEW’s Scott Clark says the letter was deceptive and the mayor should give the money back. The fact that the union has soured on Bernero and now supports his challenger, Carol Wood, is not a coincidence in all this.
Still, the letter is deceptive. I would challenge anyone to read it, then look at Bernero’s 527 spending and argue convincingly that the letter accurately describes how donations would be used.
I have no idea if IBEW has a legal leg to stand on (attorneys, Cooley students, please feel free to weigh in on that one). Still, I presume it will take time, energy and money for Bernero to defend. And the press he’s gotten on this is hardly beneficial.
Not to fuel my “obsession” — as I’m told Bernero recently labeled my coverage — but I still think the mayor’s wisest move is to get rid of this account. He can run the city without it. And it’s on his ability to run the city that his future political career will rise, or fall.
