The Star Tribune promoted a months-old story on Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN-05) “strong” fundraising numbers on the front page of its website Friday. The article was linked directly below a story on the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board’s investigation into Omar.
The Board, which released its report Thursday, found that Omar violated numerous campaign finance laws and ordered her to reimburse her campaign committee for almost $3,500 in misused funds. But the report also revealed that Omar filed joint tax returns in 2014 and 2015 with Ahmed Hursi, even though she was still technically married to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, as The Minnesota Sun reported.
The Star Tribune’s article on the investigation made no mention of that fact. The popular outlet did, however, promote on its front page an article from April 16 on Omar’s first quarter fundraising numbers.
“Omar shows strong fundraising; raises $830K for re-election campaign,” read a headline for the story.
David Steinberg of PJ Media pointed out that WCCO, Minnesota’s CBS affiliate, described the joint tax returns this way:
“The board’s investigation found $1,500 of the payment to Kjellberg Law Office was in violation of campaign finance rules, but it did not involve a divorce. It was instead for obtaining immigration records, and for filing joint tax returns with her now-husband, Ahmed Hirsi, in 2014 and 2015.”
“Her ‘now-husband,’ meaning not at the time,” Steinberg responded. “A once-in-a-career local story with global implications, and they don’t even mention their own coverage confirms Ilhan Omar is a felon.”
Update:
Remarkable incompetence from MN CBS affiliate @WCCO: Her "now-husband" — meaning "not at the time."
A once-in-a-career local story with **global** implications — and they **don't even mention** their own coverage confirms @ilhanMN is a felon.https://t.co/f3pp447VM2 pic.twitter.com/M073smKsp5
— David Steinberg 🧔🏻 (@realDSteinberg) June 7, 2019
“All Minnesota media cover for her. It’s by design, not incompetence,” said former Alpha News writer John Gilmore.
All Minnesota media cover for her. It’s by design, not incompetence. @esmemurphy @tomscheck @jburcum @JohnCroman @thauserkstp @patricktcondon @TheoKeith @toreyvanoot @StribSanchez @Stowydad @LydenFOX9 @PhilPina @janashortal @SukiDardarian @bloisolson https://t.co/1Me18clMs4
— JohnGilmore (@Shabbosgoy) June 7, 2019
Omar hasn’t specifically addressed the allegations surrounding the joint tax returns, but did release a generic statement Thursday, saying she’s “glad this process is complete.”
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News, The Ohio Star, and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Ilhan Omar” by Ilhan Omar. Photo “News Article” by Star Tribune.
