Official Statement from Chris Simcox
Shawna Forde registered to become a volunteer with MCDC in July of 2006.
Never having cleared her probationary period, she was constantly found to be
trouble; unbecoming behaviors included, deception, holding unauthorized
meetings and promoting herself as a chapter director and spokesperson for
the organization without authorization. She even convinced national leaders
that she had been "drafted" by volunteers in her area to be the new
Washington State Director. After less than 6 frustrating months she was
terminated in February, 2007. Concerned with Forde's bizarre behaviors, our
Washington and Arizona State leadership teams reported to and worked
cooperatively with law enforcement in Washington and Arizona. The other
individuals involved in the criminal incident were never registered
volunteers of MCDC and had no affiliation with our organization.
Forde formed her own small group and forged an alliance with Jim Gilchrist
and the Minuteman Project.
In the spring of 2008, Forde visited our MCDC headquarters camp in
California unannounced and was given a "tour" by a caretaker who had no idea
who she was. Forde then moved to Arizona and in October was doing a "media
tour" near Three Points, Arizona and attempted to forge a new working
relationship, we refused and she continued to infiltrate other groups
including the Patriots Border Alliance another group of malcontents who were
terminated from MCDC and formed their own group.
Border Patrol and Pima County Sheriffs were notified and we shared our
concerns about Forde and the PBA and other individuals who were working
together in close proximity to MCDC operations. We shared our concerns with
law enforcement that both groups were not operating under the same strict
standard operating procedures employed by MCDC.
MCDC leadership followed our pro law enforcement pledge and civic duty to
reporting suspicious behaviors of all worrisome individuals to the proper
authorities.
PAC
The Minuteman PAC, led by Executive Director Brett Farley is supported and
endorsed by MCDC.
I, Chris Simcox, founder of MCDC was the Minuteman PAC spokesperson. I had
to give up that role after announcing as a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
I personally have stumped for, campaigned for, recorded radio spots and robo
calls for and filmed TV commercials for dozens of state and federal
candidates that were endorsed and supported by the Minuteman PAC.
The same is true for the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps PAC.
Gilchrist and Eichler, immediately after hearing of my senate campaign
rushed out and started a Minuteman Freedom PAC.
I contacted legal counsel and learned there is nothing I can do to stop them
from promoting my campaign on their website nor can I stop them from
fundraising using my name.
All we can do is let folks know that this is a Gilchrist/Eichler ruse and a
scam and tell folks not to donate to it. I seriously doubt I will ever see
any funding from it - and would not accept any - and I never anticipate that
they will use funds raised on independent expenditure campaigns to help me
in any way.
Hope that clears it up for you and please feel free to distribute this far
and wide as my official statement.
Chris Simcox
-----------------------------------------
Message from Chris Simcox
I want everyone to know I just got off the phone with Eric Johnson of the Simcox for Senate campaign. He apologized for the statement made by Simcox and assured me that it was done without the approval of any of the professional staff around him. He also thanked me for the very positive public statements made by Jim in regards to the Simcox campaign, as well as to the proactive positive things that some of us have already done for Simcox.
I accepted his apology, thanked him for his comments, and we both agreed that it is the issue of border security and immigration reform that were of the utmost importance to America, not any past petty personal matters. Together we can all achieve more than we ever can apart.
I hope we all now put this behind us, do not talk about it again, and move forward together.
Howie Morgan
National Political Director, Minuteman Project
Shawna Forde registered to become a volunteer with MCDC in July of 2006.
Never having cleared her probationary period, she was constantly found to be
trouble; unbecoming behaviors included, deception, holding unauthorized
meetings and promoting herself as a chapter director and spokesperson for
the organization without authorization. She even convinced national leaders
that she had been "drafted" by volunteers in her area to be the new
Washington State Director. After less than 6 frustrating months she was
terminated in February, 2007. Concerned with Forde's bizarre behaviors, our
Washington and Arizona State leadership teams reported to and worked
cooperatively with law enforcement in Washington and Arizona. The other
individuals involved in the criminal incident were never registered
volunteers of MCDC and had no affiliation with our organization.
Forde formed her own small group and forged an alliance with Jim Gilchrist
and the Minuteman Project.
In the spring of 2008, Forde visited our MCDC headquarters camp in
California unannounced and was given a "tour" by a caretaker who had no idea
who she was. Forde then moved to Arizona and in October was doing a "media
tour" near Three Points, Arizona and attempted to forge a new working
relationship, we refused and she continued to infiltrate other groups
including the Patriots Border Alliance another group of malcontents who were
terminated from MCDC and formed their own group.
Border Patrol and Pima County Sheriffs were notified and we shared our
concerns about Forde and the PBA and other individuals who were working
together in close proximity to MCDC operations. We shared our concerns with
law enforcement that both groups were not operating under the same strict
standard operating procedures employed by MCDC.
MCDC leadership followed our pro law enforcement pledge and civic duty to
reporting suspicious behaviors of all worrisome individuals to the proper
authorities.
PAC
The Minuteman PAC, led by Executive Director Brett Farley is supported and
endorsed by MCDC.
I, Chris Simcox, founder of MCDC was the Minuteman PAC spokesperson. I had
to give up that role after announcing as a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
I personally have stumped for, campaigned for, recorded radio spots and robo
calls for and filmed TV commercials for dozens of state and federal
candidates that were endorsed and supported by the Minuteman PAC.
The same is true for the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps PAC.
Gilchrist and Eichler, immediately after hearing of my senate campaign
rushed out and started a Minuteman Freedom PAC.
I contacted legal counsel and learned there is nothing I can do to stop them
from promoting my campaign on their website nor can I stop them from
fundraising using my name.
All we can do is let folks know that this is a Gilchrist/Eichler ruse and a
scam and tell folks not to donate to it. I seriously doubt I will ever see
any funding from it - and would not accept any - and I never anticipate that
they will use funds raised on independent expenditure campaigns to help me
in any way.
Hope that clears it up for you and please feel free to distribute this far
and wide as my official statement.
Chris Simcox
-----------------------------------------
Message from Chris Simcox
I want everyone to know I just got off the phone with Eric Johnson of the Simcox for Senate campaign. He apologized for the statement made by Simcox and assured me that it was done without the approval of any of the professional staff around him. He also thanked me for the very positive public statements made by Jim in regards to the Simcox campaign, as well as to the proactive positive things that some of us have already done for Simcox.
I accepted his apology, thanked him for his comments, and we both agreed that it is the issue of border security and immigration reform that were of the utmost importance to America, not any past petty personal matters. Together we can all achieve more than we ever can apart.
I hope we all now put this behind us, do not talk about it again, and move forward together.
Howie Morgan
National Political Director, Minuteman Project
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