Former Bailey Staffer Threatening to Sue and How Proft Got Involved
Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) and Gov. JB Pritzker make notes before the beginning of the second gubernatorial debate in October.
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Full disclosure: I had been poking around on the dispute between Bailey and the former staffer until the Tribune scooped me last night and added the Dan Proft angle.
A former campaign staffer for GOP gubernatorial nominee Senator Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is threatening a lawsuit after a dispute over the end of his employment with the campaign.
Brett Corrigan was the “body man” for Bailey for many months during his campaign, traveling around the state with the former Senator, but his employment ended abruptly in September. Neither side is saying if Corrigan was fired or if he quit. Corrigan’s attorney, Scott Kaspar of Orland Park (who, himself ran for Congress this spring), tells The Illinoize the issue was “human resources” related, but didn’t get into specifics.
Kaspar said he was engaged in settlement talks with Darren and Cindy Bailey’s personal attorney, but talks broke down.
That’s where Proft comes in.
The Tribune reported (and Kaspar confirmed to me last night when we spoke) that Dan Proft, the conservative political operative/radio host/Florida resident/Uihlein dollar spender had texted him out of the blue seemingly in an attempt to stop Kaspar from filing a lawsuit against the Baileys.
From the Trib:
On Oct. 23, Proft contacted Kaspar, first through a phone call the attorney did not return, then through a series of text messages. The Tribune viewed the text messages and verified they came from a phone number that Proft uses.
“Scott. Dan Proft. Can you give me a call?” began a message to Kaspar. Kaspar replied, “Hi Dan. What is this concerning?” Proft replied, “The rumors I’m hearing about some complaint you’re planning on filing against Bailey.”
Kasper did not respond.
After a period of time, Proft texted “And?” to the lawyer. Kaspar continued to be nonresponsive, prompting Proft to text, “OK then. Go ahead. Please file it.”
Kaspar eventually replied, “Dan, I don’t ordinarily talk about legal matters with third parties, and particularly with members of the Press. It also is my understanding that you are the head of a PAC that is supporting Sen. Bailey’s candidacy. The campaign is represented by counsel, and communication on my end has to go through counsel.”
Proft replied, “We can talk off the record. And, yes, I have no involvement with the campaign. It will be in the press when you file it. Already had an inquiry from a legal journal. So don’t see any canons being threatened here.”
Kaspar did not respond.
Proft, of course, runs the “People Who Play By the Rules” PAC that has spent millions of dollars attacking Gov. JB Pritzker and supporting Bailey. The Tribune raises the question as to whether Proft was acting on behalf of the Bailey campaign, which is legally prohibited because of his role with an Independent Expenditure PAC.
Proft went to law school but is not a practicing attorney, so he was not acting as an attorney for the campaign.
Sources close to the Bailey campaign tell us staffers have been directed not to speak to Proft to ensure there are no accusations of coordination. Proft hosts a radio show on a small Chicago-area station and has had Bailey as a frequent guest, potentially raising legal questions about his contact with the candidate. Bailey appeared on Proft’s show Thursday.
We sent a number of questions to the “People Who Play By the Rules” PAC last night asking about Proft’s engagement in the settlement discussions and his communications with Bailey. We have not heard back from the PAC yet.
The Bailey campaign did not comment on the record about either Corrigan or Proft.
Kaspar, Corrigan’s attorney, said he is hopeful the two sides come to a settlement agreement without going to court.