New Evidence Shows More Big Oil Hypocrisy From Varilek

Takes Money From Oil Company Lobbyist Then Lies About It
 
Sioux Falls – Matt Varilek has said he will “not accept a dime of campaign contributions from Big Oil.”  Yet according to documents filed with the Clerk of the U.S. House and with the Federal Election Commission, Varilek has in fact accepted a campaign contribution from BP America lobbyist Brian Griffin.  
 
“It’s troubling that Matt Varilek is so blatantly misleading South Dakotans.  His rhetoric on big oil in no way matches his actions,” said Noem campaign manager Tom Erickson. “South Dakotans deserve the truth from Matt Varilek.”
 
Earlier today the Mitchell Daily Republic reported that Varilek has invested in the same oil company that he has been criticizing on the campaign trail.
 
Team Varilek: “Matt Has Never Taken A Penny…From Big Oil.” “’Unlike Kristi Noem, Matt has never taken a penny in campaign contributions from Big Oil companies, and he never will,’ [Varilek campaign manager David] Benson said in response to questions from The Daily Republic.” (Tom Lawrence, “Varilek had shares in Big Oil company he criticizes,” Mitchell Daily Republic, Oct. 3, 2012)
 
Varilek: I Won’t Take Money From Big Oil. Varilek: “I’ve also pledged not to accept a dime of campaign contributions from Big Oil, so South Dakotans can rest assured that I am free to stand up to Big Oil on behalf of consumers.” (“Issues; Securing Energy Independence,” MattforSD.Com, accessed Oct. 3, 2012)
 
But Varilek Takes Money From BP America’s Lobbyist. According to the Federal Election Commission website, Matt Varilek accepted a contribution from BP America lobbyist Brian Griffin of the Duberstein Group on March 1, 2012. Lobbying disclosure documents filed with the Clerk of the U.S. House by Mr. Griffin list BP America, Inc. as one of his clients. (Source: http://FEC.gov & http://lobbyingdisclosure.house.gov/, accessed Oct. 3, 2012)

More of Varilek’s Big Oil Hypocrisy:
 
Daily Republic: “Varilek had shares in Big Oil company he criticizes.” “Democratic congressional hopeful Matt Varilek has criticized Rep. Kristi Noem for taking campaign donations from ‘Big Oil,’ but he once owned 20 shares of stock in one of the companies he named in an attack on her. Varilek bought the Valero Energy stock in June 2008 while he worked as an aide to Sen. Tim Johnson. He spent $1,045 for it.”  (Tom Lawrence, “Varilek had shares in Big Oil company he criticizes,” Mitchell Daily Republic, Oct. 3, 2012)
 
AP: “Matt Varilek Denies Hypocrisy.”   “South Dakota Democratic U.S. House candidate Matt Varilek once owned shares of stock in an energy company he has cited in criticisms of ‘big oil’ campaign donations to his opponent, incumbent Republican Rep. Kristi Noem.”  (“Matt Varilek denies hypocrisy,” Associated Press, Oct. 3, 2012)