Former McCain supporter indicted on fraud charges

A former New Hampshire supporter of U.S. Sen. John McCain has been indicted on misdemeanor charges relating to mileage reimbursements.

Richard Brothers, head of the Department of Employment Security, has been accused of filing reimbursement forms for trips that he did not make.

“For each month between August 2007 and May 2008, the informations charge that Richard Brothers knowingly made a written false statement, which he did not believe to be true, with a purpose to deceive a public servant in the performance of his or her official function, by submitting travel vouchers for reimbursement for mileage and tolls and attesting to trips he had not actually taken, thereby causing the State to reimburse him for mileage and toll expenses he had not actually incurred for the dates and/or locations stated on the travel vouchers,” reads the indictment from New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte.

Brothers was an alternative delegate, for McCain, to the Republican National Convention in 2008 and served on McCain’s Belknap County leadership committee during the New Hampshire presidential primary.

Gov. John Lynch (D-NH) said that Brothers should immediately resign.

“These are very serious charges that result from a thorough investigation by the Attorney General's Office. I call on Richard Brothers to resign,” Lynch said in a press release. “I have also directed Richard Brothers not to enter any Employment Security facility, effective immediately.”

McCain Brings In Rising GOP Stars to Help Campaign

This weekend, New Hampshire Republicans will be able to see two rising Republican stars. Both though, will be campaigning for Senator John McCain.

Tomorrow, North Carolina Senator Richard Burr will be stumping for John McCain in Bedford. Burr won election to the Senate in 2004, he previously had served in the House.

On Monday, October 8 Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will be speaking at the Grafton County GOP Dinner. Pawlenty is often mentioned as a possible 2008 vice-presidential nominee, especially if McCain gains the nomination.

Pawlenty: My Hands Are Already Full

Today, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty participated in the official opening of John McCain's New Hampshire headquarters. Before a crowd of 60 "McCainiacs," Pawlenty said that he is supporting Senator McCain because he is a "leader for our times" and he has "uncommon courage and patriotism." After his opening remarks, the Republican Governor met supporters and signed a blank wall that will be filled with signatures of McCain supporters and volunteers

.In an interview with "New Hampshire Presidential Watch," Pawlenty said that so far he has rarely campaigned for McCain, but once the Minnesota legislative session concludes he plans to do more stumping for McCain. As he was leaving, I said "you would make an interesting VP pick" to which Pawlenty laughed and said "I already have my hands full."

For more on Tim Pawlenty and his support of John McCain, check out this link: http://robertbluey.com/blog/2007/02/06/gov-tim-pawlenty-why-im-supporting-john-mccain/