Arnold’s past caught up with
him last week when the LA Times revealed that the gov’s business
partners at American Media, Inc (AMI) had paid Arnold’s alleged former
mistress, Gigi Goyette, $20,000 to bar her from speaking publicly about
their affair. American Media, which publishes National Enquirer, also
paid a friend of Goyette $1,000 in cash to keep the relationship quiet.
Arnold’s infidelity to his wife may be a private issue, but his
fidelity to the People of California is a public one. Earlier this
summer, we learned that Arnold was hiding a secret contract with AMI
and its muscle magazines worth as much as $8.5 million to the gov.
Then, Goyette’s $20K in hush money came to light. This weekend, the SF
Chronicle reported that the gov failed to properly report a $250,000
donation from AMI to the non-profit group known as the California
Gov.’s Council on Physical Fitness. What else don’t Californians know?
It’s time for an investigation.
In a letter to Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (click here download it), the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights writes:
"You must immediately convene a special investigatory hearing and issue
subpoenas to determine 1) whether Schwarzenegger directed AMI to
solicit the contract with Goyette, under false pretenses, in order to
protect his political career OR 2) whether AMI blackmailed the Governor
by using the threat of the Goyette contract in order to wield influence
over his conduct as Governor. This would clearly constitute conduct
unbecoming of the state’s highest official.
"All Californians have a right to know whether or not special interests
with issues before the state are covertly working with the Governor to
keep secret information that would harm his political career. The very
existence of a contact in the hands of AMI that has immeasurable
valuable to Schwarzenegger creates myriad conflicts of interest and
ethical issues.
"Does the secret contract with Goyette constitute a gift to the
Governor? Is the Goyette pact and AMI’s refusal to publish Goyette’s
story part of Schwarzenegger’s compensation from AMI that has yet to be
disclosed? If Schwarzenegger was not aware of the contract initially,
was he apprised of it after he took office and did it constitute an
illegal gift in excess of state limits? Did any AMI agent ever discuss
the supplements legislation or other public policy matters with
Schwarzenegger? Did such discussions occur before or after
Schwarzenegger was apprised of the Goyette contract?"
Enquiring minds need to know.
