A North Carolina blogger at Pat Go Bye-Bye has turned up some interesting tid-bits on a gay lovers’ triangle involving Republican operatives and officials in Florida.

Interestingly, the two who were shot and the one who killed himself may have connections to Republican Representative Patrick McHenry (NC-10).

From Pat Go Bye-Bye:

Buried in a terribly sad story over at the North Carolina Conservative are some interesting local tidbits.

Florida police are saying that Jason Robert Drake,* left, shot two republican political consultants, Ralph Gonzalez and David Abrami, and then himself last week. What they’re not saying is why. After first calling it a lover’s triangle, they’re now saying:

Drake was found carrying a firearm and backpack full of ammunition. Deputies said in a short statement witnesses had mentioned “a number of potential motives.”

NCC editor Judson Cox has done some digging and come up with a convoluted story that involves another murder in Pennsylvania, several video and still male-on-male porn sites, and a call-boy service in Virginia. Go read for yourself but I’d advise you not to follow the some of the links in the articles I link to unless you don’t mind male nudity and more at your computer.

What caught my eye in the locally-oriented NCC article was the last paragraph and I’ll quote it here:

Sources tell The North Carolina Conservative that Drake volunteered on several Republican campaigns in western North Carolina, and was an associate of Congressman Patrick McHenry. Gonzalez is also believed to have been associated with McHenry in the past. Since being elected, McHenry has attempted to insure that all elected officials in his district are his supporters and cronies. This has caused a very nasty political war of attrition in the 10th District. Sources say that Drake worked on these campaigns as a surrogate of McHenry.

Pat Go Bye Bye readers will recall that I wrote of the McHenry connection last Friday. I have two off-the-record sources tying Gonzales to McHenry (and one wacky dude.) At the time I didn’t have the information that Drake had ties to Rutherford County. (I’ve since read where he was coming there to be buried but can no longer find the link.)

Pat Go Bye-Bye also has some more background info on the murder-suicide, including info on the political careers of the victims.

Technorati Tags: Patrick McHenry, Lovers triangle, Hickory, North Carolina, Florida, Jason Robert Drake, Ralph Gonzalez, David Abrami

Against my pride’s best efforts to keep me from doing this:

Commenter Laura Roslin has an interesting take on the voter fraud indictment of McHenry aide Michael Aaron Lay:

Matt;

Just think how confusing voter registration is to college students who ARENT working on a political campaign.

We have a cutoff date to register of 25 days before election day.

Suddenly college kid says – where am I supposed to vote, can I vote here???

On a voter registration form, did you notice that there is a place to put your “mailing address” and another to put your “address of residence”?

Anyway, this could be a case of a guy having his life/career ruined because of some infighting.

I dont particularly like Patrick McHenry, his politics are horrible and he acts like an 8 yr old child on the floors of congress, right there on CSpan for all to see.

We should get the facts before hurting someone who might be innocent.

Interesting. And she’s right: Voter registration forms are quite confusing for college students. Hopefully the grand jury in Lay’s case was smart enough to look at this.

While working with UNCG’s Student Government Association, we worked hard to register folks to vote in the 2004 and 2006 elections. I can back Laura up in her assertion that college students do find the entire process of voting in this country confusing (a fact that can, without a doubt in my mind, be attributed to our poor education, especially on civic and government issues, but that is an entirely different post and story to write about). Many of the forms we received back from students were not filled out correctly, as many students didn’t know they had to put both a physical address (their Residence Hall and Dormitory room number) and a mailing address (their campus post office box).

I believe that if this angle was not considered by the grand jury, then there might just be enough doubt to have the grand jury indictment immediately be repealed.

Laura is also right another point: A young man’s life shouldn’t be ruined by something he didn’t do, but I’m not willing to buy the political in-fighting claim: The D.A. in the case is a McHenry supporter and the indictment was handed down by a grad jury situated in an area that is heavily pro-McHenry.

But again, Laura is right.

Here are the facts as I know them:

• Lay was living in a home owned, or at least leased by, Patrick McHenry. Other men working for McHenry’s campaign lived there, as well. (see past post)
• Although many people, including me at one time, thought Lay may be gay, there is no evidence to support such a claim and his own friends deny it.
• Lay may have very well intended upon living in North Carolina, evidenced by his current residence in Raleigh, where he works.
• There is no substantial evidence to say that Patrick McHenry is gay, although rumors of this have circulated around western North Carolina and the entire state years before they ever appeared on the web last fall.
• A claim was made that Lay was driving from his home in Cherryville back to his school in Knoxville and he was pulled over for speeding in another municipality. As I stated earlier and quite plainly, this theory may not be true as the town in which Lay was pulled over would not have been on the way from Cherryville to Knoxville and is, in fact, about 15 miles out of the way.

And a mea culpa:

It haven’t the evidence or information to make any substantial claim against a person. I do have, however, rumors. From the beginning, I should have kept with writing my opinion only on the rumors. Instead, I resorted to thinking I knew exactly what happened and if a person was guilty or not. As of this time, there is no evidence known to the public to suggest that Lay is guilty of anything. All we do know is that Lay has been indicted in what some believe to be political in-fighting (a claim, however, I still reject). I still fully believe, however, that Representative Patrick McHenry has not offered North Carolina or his Congressional District the representation they deserve. I also still fully believe that McHenry has resorted to Delay-type politics to get his way and to create public sympathy during this controversy. I believe he is a bully and has, in the past, been used as an attack-dog by the Republican Party. I do not respect Representative McHenry as a leader or as a representative for the People of the State of North Carolina. Nonetheless, what has existed only as rumors regarding what some believe to be improprieties by McHenry remain just that: rumors.

My letter to the site administrator and other “News Partners” of Patrick McHenry EXPOSED (www.mchenryexposed.com):

Great news. The site is back up.

Unfortunately… I have done a lot of thinking as well as interaction with a lot of folks regarding the situation with McHenry and Lay. While I believe a great service has been performed for the public by the “outing” of some of McHenry’s activities (such as his presence at a party with underage college students who were drinking), I have begun to think we might have jumped the gun on the Lay situation and the gay rumors on both Lay and McHenry.

I’ve put up a ‘mea culpa’ on my site (http://www.interstateq.com/archives/2083/). I’m not trying to be soft on misdeeds done by elected officials, but when I have wronged a person, I want to apologize. I recognize that you may not agree that a wrong has occurred, but I have come to the understanding that, perhaps, we should not be asserting that someone is or isn’t gay based on the shaky “evidence” we have, no matter how many rumors may have existed or for how long they may have existed.

I will have to, unfortunately, withdraw InterstateQ.com from being a News Partner with McHenry EXPOSED, but I implore you to keep up the good work and to continue doing what you feel is in the best interests of the People of the State of North Carolina.

As a friend, thank you,

Matt

To commenter Brent:

I can’t leave you out of my apologies. I jumped the gun and did what I asked you not to do: I assumed. Thanks for your thought-provoking comments and I welcome you to continue reading and commenting on my site. People become stronger and grow in the midst of disagreement, intelligent debate and dialogue. When one surrounds him or herself with only those people with whom he will agree, there is no room for thought or growth and the result is “group-think.” I hope you’ll stick around to present an opposing side not only if I write about future happenings on the case involving Lay but on other issues as well.

Past posts: McHenry-Lay Voter Fraud Scandal

Please see this important post: An interesting take on Lay, the facts as I know them and a ‘mea culpa’

See update below

Patrick McHenry EXPOSED, the website made with the purpose of keeping track of Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10), his current involvement in the McHenry-Lay Voter Fraud Scandal and other possible misdeeds of his work was taken offline today at approximately 3:00pm Eastern Standard Time (click here to see the “account suspended” message).

According to an email sent to the editor of McHenry EXPOSED:

In an apparent attempt to silence the message of Patrick McHenry Exposed, our website was disabled today around 3:00pm EST. This effort was undertaken by our host provider, AlphaOne Tech (aka 4Gays Hosting). While no further information is available at this time, we do know that someone contacted the host and made them aware of the site. This person’s complaint was that the information contained on the website was false, misleading and potentially in violation of corporate libel and slander laws. The hosting company is not providing any further details and acted only to protect their own interests – they are not the enemy.

In the past, the editor of McHenry EXPOSED has been threatened by lawsuits based on libel and slander laws. The content on the website, however, is not libel or slander and only the reporting of possible misdeeds, inappropriate activities, irregularities and illegalities coming out of the Office (and life and work) of Congressman Patrick McHenry.

InterstateQ.com and Pat Go Bye-Bye are “News Partners” of McHenry EXPOSED, contributing news and other investigative leads regarding Congressman Patrick McHenry.

The editor of McHenry EXPOSED has already registered a new domain and is currently working to gain access to servers outside of the jurisdiction of the United States of America.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Neo-Nazi groups host their websites targeted toward European audiences in the United States where they can take advantage of our guarantee of Free Speech. If they hosted their sites in their own countries in Europe, they would face criminal charges. Now think… How ironic is it that in a nation which, supposedly, upholds the citizens’ Freedom of Speech and right to keep their elected officials accountable that citizens must find web hosting space outside of their own country to keep themselves safe from those who would attempt to silence their efforts to bring honesty and integrity back to our government?

Again, according to the editor of McHenry EXPOSED:

I’m working on getting the current website back online in the interium – so that folks don’t think we died. The new website will have a totally different look – not sporting the McHenry for Congress theme… at the request of my own attorney. Once back online, the United States Government will not be able to remove the site, outside of petitioning Sweden to do so (the site of our new server).

Update, May 25, 2007: Patrick McHenry EXPOSED is back online with its server in Sweden (my god!). Catch it at www.mchenryexposed.com.

RELATED: Patrick McHenry updates: Congressman shuts down Constituent email contact?

More:

The McHenry-Lay Voter Fraud Scandal:

• Patrick McHenry spokesman, attack-dog Jason Deans is ’seasoned criminal,’ new watchdog site says
• McHenry: “Worst Person in the World”
• Patrick McHenry & his lollipop like their young pals, especially when they’re drunk

Technorati Tags: Patrick McHenry, Michael Aaron Lay, Jason Jent Dean, Matthew Allen Hamilton, voter fraud, gay, gay Republicans, Congress, NC-10, Cherryville, Gaston County, North Carolina

Political figures on both the left and right called him loony. Folks from both sides of the aisle thought he was just out to pick a fight because of political disagreements.

Besides the already obvious – that the Republicans will never control North Carolina politics because they can’t quit fighting with each other – another “fact-point” is becoming more obvious and clearer by the day: Donnie Young, a fine, up-standing Christian leader in Representative Patrick McHenry’s 10th District is certainly on the right track in seeing that the “young Republican star” goes down for every illegal, unethical and questionable impropriety, misdeed, lie, cheat and hypocrisy in the book.

Voter fraud, taking money from the big-wig drug, energy, banking and other lucrative industries and then voting against his own constituency and the hiring of unseemly characters – one of whom has a conviction for death by motor vehicle – as spokespersons and chiefs-of-staff… All of these things (and more) characterize the work and life of the self-proclaimed Tom Delay-protege, Patrick McHenry.

From Donnie Young (www.donnieyoung2008.com):

During the past week I read with interest the strident and aggressive language from Patrick McHenry regarding the indictment of his former roommate and campaign worker, Michael Aaron Lay. The attempt to spin the charge (and my complaint) was offensive to me, and I am writing this letter to respond.

First of all I do not think that Patrick McHenry is a good Congressman or that he represent us well. However, this is not the only reason that I chose to expose the illegal registration of Patrick’s housemates.

First, Patrick McHenry has declared himself a protege of Tom Delay, former speaker of the house, whose career was marked by his ambition to control all political races in his district. Patrick has followed the Delay model by pouring money into local elections. His attempts to control the Hickory Mayoral race is just one example of many.

Second, Patrick’s poor judgement and divisive language was in my opinion a major factor in turning many Americans off of the Republican ticket this past year. Only weeks before the election I was dismayed and disappointed to see our congressman on national TV defending Tom Foley’s misuse of a government computer to stalk and harass a young male congressional page.

Third, Patrick’s voting record reflects his loyalty to his big money donors, not to the people of the 10th District. Patrick drafted a bill to drill off of our outer banks and voted for tax breaks for big oil after recieving large donations from the energy lobby. He helped to draft and pass a bill that allows big banks to purchase credit unions and limit our options in banking after he recieved large contributions from banks. He voted against a bill that would extend the time period for elderly persons to apply for prescription drug benefits after taking money from the drug companies. He has recieved zero ratings from the Disabled American Veterans and the National Educators of America.

Fourth, Patrick consistently uses bad judgement in the way he acts and speaks. For example, during the 2004 election year a complaint was filed with the NC Alcohol Law Enforcement and affidavits were filed detailing Patrick’s attendance at a party where underage students were drinking excessive amounts of beer and wine coolers. The hotel room bathtub was filled with ice and beer for anyone to drink, and the affidavits by those in attendance claim that Patrick was fully aware of the age of those consuming
alcohol.

Fifth, Patrick has surrounded himself with people of questionable character who use the power of the congressman to attempt to intimidate others. The attack on the Gaston County District Attorney is the most recent example. McHenry’s Chief of Staff Jason Deans has a long and spotty criminal history including a charge of death by motor vehicle. McHenry and Deans’ attack on District Attorney Locke Bell was threatening in it’s tone, and entirely inappropriate for a congressman. McHenry is not just anyone. He has power and influence and there was little doubt in his press release that he intends to bring his power to bear.

Finally, I feel strongly that both Patrick McHenry, Deans, Lay and others are guilty of voter fraud. McHenry’s real former profession was as a political consultant/stategist. Patrick believes in polls and he knew going into the election of 2004 that the margin would be razor thin. Patrick understands the importance of a handful of votes, and he used his own home to register his paid staffers when he knew full well that there was no intent for them to make 1100 Requa Road, Cherryville their permanent home.

There is other conduct by Patrick McHenry that offends my sensibilities as a Christian conservative, and it is for these and the above that I was willing to expose the voter fraud. However, Patrick is not the victim here and neither is Michael Aaron Lay. Neither I, nor District Attorney Locke, nor the Gaston County grand jury forced Patrick to recruit anyone to come into our district and falsely claim residency in order to register and vote. Patrick needs to grow up and start taking responsibility for his actions. In my opinion what’s really “political” is Patrick’s desperate attempt to smear the Gaston County District Attorney when he knows that at the end of the day the facts will show that he and his rommate acted inappropriately.

What I find so absolutely hilarious, and perhaps ironic, is how this man, Donnie Young, finds himself allied against Patrick McHenry with folks he usually wouldn’t ally himself with. There aren’t many Americans who like to see dishonesty, corruption and hypocrisy in their government, Young included. The same goes for Americans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Young and the LGBT community probably disagree on many issues. The same could be said between Young and the Democrats who want to see McHenry disappear from public office just as badly as Young does.

Unless you are, like McHenry, a Delay-look-alike-act-alike, you don’t want to see the characteristics embodied by McHenry working its way through our government – the government of the People. Gay, straight, black, white, Republican, Democrat, rich, poor, western North Carolinian, eastern North Carolinian – folks from all walks of life just do not appreciate the representation – or lack thereof – that McHenry gives the rest of the nation and world from North Carolina.

We don’t need more liars, cheaters and hypocrites in our government. Young knows it and so do a lot of other folks.

I tip my hat to Young, despite whatever disagreements we might have on other issues. Donnie, you’ve done a good job, my friend.

Technorati Tags: Donnie Young, Patrick McHenry, Michael Aaron Lay, Jason Jent Dean, Matthew Allen Hamilton, voter fraud, gay, gay Republicans, Congress, NC-10, Cherryville, Gaston County, North Carolina