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* Campaign operative FOIAs emails between an elected opponent and her spouse, who has reported making a whopping $39,000 since 2017 as a lobbyist. Opponent’s city office says they’ve found 612 emails (including calendar invites) and it would be unduly burdensome to go through them all and redact the personal stuff, so the operative is asked to narrow the search. Juicy “What is she hiding?” story then appears in Crain’s…
As a candidate for Illinois secretary of state, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia has been arguing that she and not former State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has the reputation and record to hang onto a seat Democrats have owned for nearly three decades.
So why did Valencia write or receive more than 600 emails on her official Chicago city email account referencing her husband, one of his lobbyist clients, or both? And why has Valencia so far refused to release copies of those emails? […]
In a series of Freedom of Information Act requests, a Giannoulias ally asked for and passed on to his campaign requests for copies of all emails to or from Valencia that also included the key words “Monterrey,” “Reyahd” or “Kazmi.”
Those are a reference to Valencia’s husband, Reyahd Kazmi, and the company for whom he has worked as a lobbyist, Chicago-based Monterrey Security.
Looks like more sizzle than steak. But, hey, maybe Valencia and her husband were indeed concocting nefarious plots over a FOIA-able government email account when they could just talk to each other every evening at home. Dumber things have happened, I suppose.
In the meantime, it’ll make for a tough advertising hit.
* Press release…
It’s no surprise that Alexi Giannoulias has turned to the Republican playbook of “what about her emails?” in a desperate attempt to cover up for his own misdeeds—a failed bank, mob connections and losing working families’ hard-earned college savings. To suggest that scheduling-related emails between spouses are in the same league as his corrupt history is absurd.
In other campaign-related news, Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts announced her support for Anna today and will also now serve as her campaign co-chair. See below for the statement from Laura:
There is far too much at stake this year for the Democratic Party—we need the right candidate on the ballot in the general election. Anna Valencia has a proven record and history of showing up for Democrats when it’s mattered most. I encourage voters to join me in supporting Anna in her bid to become the first woman elected as Illinois Secretary of State.
Giannoulias has such a huge head start that Ms. Ricketts had better start pumping money.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Giannoulias campaign called and insisted that there’s more to this story than is posted here. I have since been sent a file of emails that the campaign obtained through FOIA from when Valencia ran Rahm Emanuel’s intergovernmental relations shop. Here are some bullet points from the oppo report…
* Valencia facilitated a municipal board appointment for a Monterrey VP: Patricia Gaytan Perez is Vice President of Administration at Monterrey Security. She also donated to Valencia in both 2017 and 2021. Records released through FOIA show that, on April 2, 2016, Valencia emailed Perez, saying they had spoken in the past about possible nominations and “a great opportunity” had possible come up. A staffer from Mayor’s office then got in touch about necessary forms, which Perez then sent along. Perez formally joined to the Chicago Public Library board in June 2016.
* Valencia facilitated municipal youth mentorship participation for Monterrey: Records released through FOIA show that Valencia connected a Monterrey VP with Mayor Emmanuel’s Director for Youth and Education Policy, Sarah Stockdale, about the One Summer Chicago Youth Programs; Valencia suggested she had already spoken to the VP about the program the previous evening. Valencia told Stockdale that Monterrey was “a very successful Latino private security firm” and “It would be a great partnership and a unique opportunity for our youth to have such a successful Latino business as mentors.” Both Stockdale and the Monterrey VP thanked Valencia for the introduction and implied that they would discuss Monterrey’s involvement in the program.
* Valencia sought invite for husband’s fellow board member, noted it was for “a donor”: In September 2016, newly-elected London Mayor Sadiq Khan visited Chicago and met with Mayor Emanuel.34 Ahead of the visit, Valencia was sent a list of attendees and asked “to cut it down to 10-15 people (not including guests)” due to capacity issues. After making cuts, Valencia then wrote that her husband served on the Human Relations board with a Muslim woman and asked to see if she was invited. Valencia noted, “I need to get her name but I believe she is a donor too.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Valencia campaign…
We understand the mentality of “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” when you are a politician with as shady of a history as Alexi Giannoulias, but facts are important. His research must be as inaccurate as he is corrupt. Anna’s husband, Reyahd Kazmi, was not a lobbyist during her time in the mayor’s office and did not register as a lobbyist for Monterrey Security until 2017, a year after the emails referenced here were sent—at which point Anna was no longer in that office.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:04 am
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===included the key words “Monterrey,” “Reyahd” or “Kazmi.”===
So any email that she received from her husband that included an automatic signature that had part of his name or his employer?
And any response to or forward of any email she received from her husband with a signature?
“Are you free for lunch?”
“Yeah! Just after 12:30″
“Great — lets meet at [——-]
That kind of interaction is three whole emails!
“Hey, sorry I’m working late tonight.”
“That’s fine, let me know when you’re on your way home.”
Two emails!
It’s really disappointing to see a reputable publication run this story and to speculate such malice in a fashion that one would only expect in the National Enquirer.
I was unaware that Crains was interested in becoming a gossip rag making baseless accusations that likewise involve accusing the FOIA officers of wrong doing as well.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:19 am
Too early to see if there is anything to this email issue. However, on balance I think “What about her emails?” pales in comparison to “What about your bank?”
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:19 am
Someone is seeing Valencia as a threat.
Valencia needs some real cash and infrastructure here, maybe Jesse White’s endorsement in the sooner not latter…
…
If Alexi had the Jesse White endorsement wrapped up, would this dump even have happened?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:23 am
==Dumber things have happened, I suppose.==
See also, McClain, Mike
Comment by SAP Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:37 am
Marx was right. There is no ideology. There are only economic interests.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checker Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:50 am
well, at least one Ricketts family member is on the non insurrectionist side of the equation. better start translating all the girl power. have not seen it reach out yet. and as one who is on lots of lists, I would expect to have seen it by now.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:04 pm
Totally agree that this is almost certainly innocuous - people email their spouses every day. BUT why not just produce them? Sure it takes a bit of legwork but why not shut it down completely. Unfortunately, in today’s world “hiding emails” is an eye-catcher for those who don’t dig deeper into the story.
Comment by WestBurbs Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:20 pm
Lord, I know that this Rickets’ spawn is the least evil of them, but did she have to make her co-chair? Ugh, I might leave this one blank in the summer and fall.
Comment by Chicago Blue Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:21 pm
I question Hinz and Crain’s pulling the trigger on this story without seeing the emails. Borderline irresponsible.
Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:25 pm
Remember, if you use your government email for personal messages, you’re gonna have a bad time.
Former Riverdale mayor Deon Dean was once told by his former wife (in an email, no less) that using his official email for campaign-related emails wasn’t such a bright idea; they were found by OEIG investigators when they caught Dean lying about what he did while being paid for his full-time State job.
Comment by thisjustinagain Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:39 pm
Before I made it to the press release I wondered why Alexi went on the “emails” angle. It just reminds the women primary voters about the attacks on Hillary.
Comment by Live Wire Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:40 pm
While it seems unlikely that this is some big conspiracy, using your public account to communicate with your husband on his lobbyist account is incredibly stupid. And claiming 612 emails is unduly burdensome is also incredibly stupid. I despise Alexi but this is a fair hit.
Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:47 pm
== BUT why not just produce them? ==
Agreed. Valencia should know better than to write embarrassing inanities on her work email. If the FOIA is so petty, why not embarrass AG and dump them all?
Greg Hinz is craftier than you might think.
Comment by Sharya Capo Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:48 pm
What this really sounds like is Team Alexi is afraid of Anna. Like Rich said, a lot of sizzle and no steak. Laura Ricketts getting on board? That’s a lot of steak and her quote says it all.
Giannoulias is by far a more vulnerable candidate in the general than Valencia and all the money in the world is not going to change his past. If the best oppo out there is her exchanging emails with her husband on city email addresses than Dems can spend a lot more money in the General taking on the Republican candidate than trying to defend the record of a candidate who helped run a shady family bank.
Comment by Shytown Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:04 pm
“Lord, I know that this Rickets’ spawn is the least evil of them, but did she have to make her co-chair? Ugh, I might leave this one blank in the summer and fall.”
Totally unfair. Laura is a rock solid Democrat who has supported some great candidates.
Comment by New Day Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:13 pm
===If the FOIA is so petty, why not embarrass AG and dump them all? ===
Some of y’all have never performed a legal review of 1,000+ pages while also having to redact any and all protected information.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:16 pm
== Dumber things have happened, I suppose==
Never over estimate politicians. S/
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:17 pm
- Is Crain’s required to file this column as an in-kind contribution? -
Instead of whining maybe you could tell Anna to use some basic common sense?
Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:18 pm
To the update: That’s it? Oh, the horror. /s
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:31 pm
To the update;
If Valencia is going to make a move, and petitions start today… get that Ricketts Cash, try to secure Jesse White and JB Pritzker and take on Alexi full throttle.
As daylight burns, Alexi gets pass after pass while dropping the dime on easily found FOIA that is silent in a big picture pushback.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:36 pm
Here is the ad that will come from this exchange:
Valencia stoned-walled FOIA requests concerning one of her largest donors whose controversial security firm is under federal investigation. This past summer Guytan’s wife and daughter were indicted by the US Justice Department for hiding monies during the conviction of cartel kingpin El Chapo. Kind of bad look.
Comment by Chipolcon Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:43 pm
Valencia would’ve had my support, and I’m guessing the support of many others, if she dropped Reyahd a long time ago. The man is a walking talking liability.
Comment by SOSfanatic Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:44 pm
To the update:
That’s it? Really? The Alexi people are digging deep if they think any of this is a big deal. Oh the humanity for trying to facilitate a mentorship for Latino youth by utilizing your personal contacts with a successful Latino businessman.
Alexi’s family’s business cost the FDIC $383 million. Perhaps Alexi’s energy would be better suited redirecting campaign contributions he received from people who used to operate Broadway Bank to the FDIC since they’re struggling to recoup losses from insuring his family’s poorly run bank.
Where’d the money go, Alexi?
Where ya’ been, Alexi?
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:52 pm
Between the lack of diversity on her campaign staff and these embarrassing emails clearly exposing how Anna used her position of power to help advance her husband’s career - which ultimately pads her pockets. Why would JB or Jessie white want to put their legacy on that? Yikes
I’m interested to see if she was involved in helping Rahm cover up the Laquan McDonald lynching… I mean police shooting
Comment by Nanis Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:08 pm
Say what you will about Alexi, but he knows how to punch back and he’s got the resources to do it. Beyond endorsements Anna is going to need some deep pockets to keep things competitive. I hope she can do it as I don’t think Alexi’s going to be a good match for Griffin’s money in the general given his issues. And he’ll taint others by association.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:17 pm
“Valencia facilitated municipal youth mentorship participation for Monterrey” is an actual headline the Giannoulias campaign put out?
Comment by Cindy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:28 pm
==I’m interested to see if she was involved in helping Rahm cover up the Laquan McDonald lynching… I mean police shooting ==
Ooof, now that’s an interesting point. She did serve at a high level in the Rahm Admin back then. That could be a huge problem.
Comment by McGuppin Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:31 pm
I would remind Valencia and Giannoulias that their would be opponent in the general looks pretty clean. All of this is making his task a bit easier. And at the end of the day I just want to get my drivers license in less than 2 hours without being stared down by somebody who thinks my mere presence is an inconvenience.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:39 pm
Maybe I’m not the right audience or am too stupid to understand, but what exactly am I supposed to find objectionable about Alexi’s “further details” about Valencia?
Comment by Hahaha Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:39 pm
To update 1: These sound exactly the way you would want a politician to sound.
You meet someone at a party or fundraiser. They mention they are interested in public service on a board. You facilitate a connection to them. How do you think it works otherwise??
There is still an interview process and other vetting that occurs after the introduction. These emails, in my mind, help Valencia and make AG look both petty and dumb.
Comment by PrairieStateLover Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:59 pm
==BUT why not just produce them?==
Do you have time to read through 612 emails and see which have protected information in them?
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:09 pm
If these emails were, in fact, “Hon, I’m going to be home late for supper,” they are not really that difficult to redact.
And who does that? I text my better half about that stuff.
And does the *checks title* City Clerk not have staff to process a fairly straightforward FOIA? Also, see Peter Czosnyka. Pretty bad when the AG’s PAC has to issue a binding opinion against you and the AG’s office is not exactly hostile to the government view of things.
Not a sterling track record of transparency for an office “responsible for providing public access to legislation, laws, records and reports….”
Comment by FOIA Officer Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:25 pm
Ouch.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:26 pm
Am I reading this right — while in the Mayor’s office, Valencia used her government email to connect a Latino-owned company with a youth program that was looking for mentors?
Um, isn’t that exactly what the director of government affairs is supposed to do? What am I missing?
Comment by 2022thoughts Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:31 pm
Candy - I don’t often disagree with you but your implication that a 1000 page review is burdensome is off base (”Some of y’all have never performed a legal review of 1,000+ pages while also having to redact any and all protected information.”
I’ve done it more times than I care to remember (both as the actual reviewer/redacter and the supervisor) and it is not difficult. And 1000 pages is really a tiny amount.
It is a no brainer to make the small effort to bury the chatter immediately
Comment by WestBurbs Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:34 pm
Team Valencia owes that FOIA officer a bottle of good scotch for taking the slings and arrows here and Hinz a bottle of the same for not taking it to the PAC.
Comment by Puh-leeze Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:48 pm
==*** UPDATE 2 *** Valencia campaign…==
No matter whose side you’re on, it’s obvious that the Valencia campaign’s responses lack an enormous amount of tact. Who is approving/not approving these quotes before they get sent? They come off incredibly unhinged IMHO. She should know better.
Comment by Unbiased Staffer Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:50 pm
Why don’t they FOIA Alexi’s Treasurer emails for items that could show he and his office were aware that funds were not invested properly but he didn’t care. Or emails involving his then girlfriend/fiancé. Or Broadway Bank, Jaws, etc. See if there is a record of him having used gov’t emails for the wrong things.
Comment by BigLou Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:50 pm
===Hinz a bottle of the same for not taking it to the PAC===
He didn’t file the FOIA. Alexi’s campaign people did.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:50 pm
===it’s obvious that the Valencia campaign’s responses lack an enormous amount of tact.===
Meh, the gloves are seemingly off, as Alexi folks are now overtly pushing oppo to reinforce thoughts.
===We understand the mentality of “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” when you are a politician with as shady of a history as Alexi Giannoulias===
That’s unhinged?
That’s a zinger, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:53 pm
==That’s unhinged?
That’s a zinger, lol==
Heavily disagree. It’s an overstatement and the whole thing sounds reactive and full of emotion.
Comment by Unbiased Staffer Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:00 pm
===It’s an overstatement===
… that the smoke around the shady dealings of Alexi doesn’t exist, including a person named “Jaws”… I mean… this ain’t bean bag, there’s little about Alexi that isn’t cloudy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:03 pm
Alexi team having a tough go today. Failed family bank with mob ties vs insider dealings of coordinating Latino businessman to be a mentor to Latino children.
Sitting back eating my popcorn on this.
Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:04 pm
===Heavily disagree. It’s an overstatement and the whole thing sounds reactive and full of emotion.
The dog whistling against women is out in full force this afternoon.
There is no bottom for the Giannoulias campaign.
Comment by HonestAbeLives Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:04 pm
===it takes one to know one, am I right?===
Are you … 9… maybe 10?
Just because you guessed your parents’ password doesn’t mean you’re adult enough to recognize Alexi’s seemingly shady background
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:06 pm
==The dog whistling against women is out in full force this afternoon.
There is no bottom for the Giannoulias campaign.==
This has nothing to do with the fact she’s a woman.
Comment by Unbiased Staffer Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:06 pm
===This has nothing to do with the fact she’s a woman.===
I’d probably stop while you’re behind.
Alexi’s alleged seedy past has yet to be “un-smoked”
It was a spot on zinger.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:08 pm
===This has nothing to do with the fact she’s a woman.
When you go out of your way to use words like “unhinged” and “full of emotion” you are intentionally dog whistling misogynistic terms to influence others.
Own your misogyny, bro.
Comment by HonestAbeLives Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:10 pm
I’m neutral on Alexi, but this “but her emails” bit is dangerous and basically like believing 1+1=3.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checker Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:37 pm
Valencia need a better comms director because that statement is poorly worded.
Comment by Pungent Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 5:31 pm
=== poorly worded===
Really?
===We understand the mentality of “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” when you are a politician with as shady of a history as Alexi Giannoulias===
That’s a tasty volley back, a zinger, a reminder, it may only be poorly worded if you don’t like the words.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 5:33 pm
The State of Illinois is about to find out who Anna Valencia is. She, and not Alexi Giannoulious, is the future of the Democratic Party. Her campaign is well-run, and as this exchange shows, she will not be bullied out of this race. No way, no how.
Comment by Graybeard Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 6:22 pm
Jaws, shady, etc. And you talk about prejudice?
Comment by Zardoz Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 6:31 pm
== Valencia need a better comms director==
Your own typo notwithstanding, the statement was extremely clear and addressed the non-story in the concise manner of which it was so deserving.
Comment by Graybeard Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 6:35 pm
===And you talk about prejudice?===
If you want to rebuff, do so.
Jaws is part of what that rebuffing needs to answer.
I’ll wait.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 6:48 pm
If I want to “rebuff”? Do you mean rebut?
Your repetitious mantras are like the way Kirk always overdid his insinuations in the Senate campaign, tripping over nams like “Stavropopulace” and Strat-ee-efski.
That wasp did not sting.
Comment by Zardoz Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 6:56 pm
===That wasp did not sting.===
Narrator: Kirk won, losing had to sting.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 6:57 pm
Move along
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 7:07 pm
**Do you have time to read through 612 emails and see which have protected information in them?**
I don’t… but the law says Anna’s office has to.
Comment by SaulGoodman Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:29 pm