Fond du Lac Dems: The Best of the Best? August 12, 2008

Yesterday, the Fond du Lac Democratic party‘s fearless Chairman, Richard L. Mantz, filed this complaint with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board against Representative John Townsend and State Senate candidate, Randy Hopper. 

The complaint alleges that Randy Hopper and Representative Townsend used the assemblyman’s state capitol office to discuss Randy Hopper’s campaign for the 18th Senate seat.  The allegations stem from a WisEye candidate video in which Hopper states that ” We went to lunch and then we went back to his office and shut his door so we could talk about what I needed to do in the campaign.”   This is not a baseless complaint, since Hopper admitted to using a taxpayer office to discuss campaign plans.   Clearly, Randy Hopper needs alot of work and needs to be scripted.  At least they had the courtesy of shutting the office door.

On the other hand, the complaint was filed by one of the most reckless leaders of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Richard L. Mantz of 237 East Ninth Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 who certainly outshines this minimal GAB complaint with his current and past legal issues.  Let’s just say, while Hopper made a minor mistake in his interview, this guy has made some strategic errors at life.

In late May, 2008, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce development filed a $614 judgement against Mantz for not paying Unemployment Compensation.  The Judge even issued a warrant for Mantz.  Looks like he’s off on the right foot for shorting his share of government taxes and fee obligations.

On top of that, the Marine Credit Union filed a Small Claims judgement  against Mantz for nearly $1,000.  Looks like he’s not keeping up with his payments.  For the sake of principle, we sure hope Rich doesn’t stiff over his own party and pays his delegate fees for the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver.  Don’t worry, there’s a little more.

Then in 2002 case of the State of WI vs. Mantz, he was extradited to for a serious complaint so severe it could have been a felony.  The details on the case are not clear however, at the time, Judge Robert Wirtz set a hefty $5,000 cash bond on Mantz over the hearing.  In another 2001 State of Wisconsin case vs. the Democratic party official, Mantz was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.  Looks like the GOP has their number one suspect for any complaints of damaged yard signs for this Fall and the Obama camp maybe should reconsider letting Mantz participate in driving staff vehicles in the motorcade. 

The question: Is this really the best the Democrats can get for party leadership?  Remember, this is a guy who has the ear of many politicians in the Fox Valley.