Mann apologizes for campaign contributions

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Walter Utter, president of Elkhorn-based Mann Bros. Inc., has issued an open
letter to Wisconsin transportation builders in which he apologizes for contributions
to two political campaigns he made in 2004 in exchange for offsetting corporate
bonuses.

“Campaign finance laws have been established to ensure that companies
do not have an undue influence in the political process,” he wrote. “This
is especially critical in industries, such as ours, that participate in the
public bidding process. This process was established to ensure that the public
receives the greatest return for its investment and that companies have an equal
opportunity to pursue work. Whether or not such contributions actually influence
the selection process, it has the effect of reducing public confidence in the
system.”

Utter said the issuance of the letter was the final step in serving penalties
assessed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Utter was charged in June 2005, along with Joseph P. Harvey, chief financial
officer of Bielinski Homes of Waukesha, and David C. Busch, a former vice president
of Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc., with making illegal campaign contributions to
prominent Republicans while working as consultants for construction companies.
They were formally charged with aiding and abetting mail fraud.

Larger case

The three were implicated as part of a larger case in which Robert Mann, a
former owner of Mann Brothers, and Robert G. Brownell, former chief executive
officer of Bielinski, were charged with fraud after the two set up a phony billing
scheme to get money for themselves and their political and business contacts.

Court records said illegal contributions from the fund were made to President
George W. Bush, former Gov. Scott McCallum and to car dealer Russ Darrow, who
ran an unsuccessful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate.

State and federal campaign finance laws make it illegal for businesses or corporations
to give directly to candidates, although employees can make personal contributions.

Businesses can also create political action committees, which can steer money
to candidates. But there are limits on what individuals and PACs can contribute.
Having employees write checks, then reimbursing them, is illegal.

“[The penalties assessed] just relate to WisDOT’s broader authority
in enforcing and maintaining state laws,” said Peg Schmitt, a WisDOT spokeswoman.
“It’s in the general administrative authority to make sure the state’s
companies are following the law.”

And Utter wrote in the letter that no company should consider itself the exception.

“Those of us in the industry must not tolerate even the appearance of
impropriety,” Utter wrote. “As we move forward, Mann Bros. Inc. will
make every effort to ensure that our employees and our officers abide by both
the letter and spirit of the campaign finance laws. And we encourage all in
the industry to do the same.”