Cayetano vs PRP: You're corrupt so you have no right to say I'm corrupt

Borreca: During Cayetano's uphill campaign for mayor in 2012, PRP may not have lied in the particular, but their commercials absolutely deconstructed the truth.

The irony of the PRP campaign was that it darkly claimed that Cayetano while governor ran a "pay-to-play" scheme to force money from contractors in return for government business.

First, if that were true on its face, it is illegal under state and federal laws. Second, the claim is being made by one of the biggest hidden conglomerations of people who benefit from the construction industry.  (LOL!)

(Translation: You're corrupt so you have no right to say I'm corrupt!)

The hypocrisy of PRP came from its executive director, John White, who assisted in the campaign and defended it and today will not talk about the apology.

Mazie Hirono was Cayetano's lieutenant governor; she also received contributions that were ruled illegal. When she served in Congress Hirono's executive assistant was John White, but there is no discussion about "pay-to-play" involving Hirono from White....

What can be said is that PRP showed the way to a new depth of negative campaigning that will hurt, not help, Hawaii...('s political elite to stay in power.  Above all, we must remember to avoid opening Pandora's box as explained >>> here.)

Reality: Pay to Play: Will Cayetano Retaliate Against Hirono?

read ... Cayetano wins vindication for PRP’s smear campaign

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The following letter will be printed as an ad in the Sunday June 15, 2014 Star-Advertiser:

Dear Governor Cayetano,       June 10, 2014

During the course of the 2012 Honolulu mayoral campaign, Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) paid for a widespread media campaign regarding former Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano. Governor Cayetano believes that these radio and television advertisements gave many the impression that Governor Cayetano personally had broken the law or acted corruptly. To the extent any viewer or listener reached that conclusion, PRP apologizes to Governor Cayetano.

PRP commends Governor Cayetano for his long record of public service to the State of Hawaii. In recognition of Governor Cayetano's service to the community, PRP will donate $100,000 to the University of Hawaii Medical School and $25,000 to the Hawaiian Humane Society in his name.

John White

Executive Director

Pacific Resources Partnership

Coverage:

• SA: "I think it may make people a little more cautious in what they say," Cayetano said….  Cayetano had claimed PRP's ad campaign tarnished his reputation by unfairly portraying him as corrupt for accepting about $500,000 in illegal campaign contributions during the Democrat's narrow re-election victory over Linda Lingle, a Republican, in 1998. Cayetano insisted he did not know the donations were illegal until after the money was spent by his campaign and the election was over.
• HNN: "I think the apology goes a long way to restore whatever damage was done to my name and I'm very pleased and satisfied," Cayetano said
• CB: PRP attorney Jeff Portnoy told Civil Beat he couldn’t comment on any specifics of the settlement because of a confidentiality clause, and said the newspaper ad is the gist of the agreement.  “It was the result of long and arduous negotiations,” Portnoy said. “I think that everybody thought that it was just in everyone’s best interest to resolve the dispute and that’s all I can say.”

Background: 

• Fact Sheet Misquotes Hawai`i Free Press: Cayetano Threatens Lawsuit over Mention of Pay-to-Play Allegations
• VIDEO: PRP Renews Pay for Play Attack on Cayetano
• Pay to Play: Will Cayetano Retaliate Against Hirono?
• Pay to Play Fines Unpaid: Hirono for Governor Campaign Closes Owing State Elections Fund Over $98,000