Dino Rossi’s Questionable Business Past (from 2004 and 2008)

Remember this when Dino Rossi ran for Governor in 2004 and 2008? Much of Dino Rossi’s business experience has been in real-estate working underneath one man, Melvin Heide of Capretto & Clark, convicted of defrauding investors.  Rossi made a small fortune, and some of it was indirectly at the expense of small investors who lost their life savings.  "The people who got hurt were little old ladies . . . Schoolteachers who put in their life savings,” said Stuart Looney, past vice president of Capretto & Clark (Seattle Times, 9/29/04). Are we accusing Republican Dino Rossi of illegality? No. Are we suggesting highly unethical business practices? Yes.  We can only outline the story.  You will need to do additional research before making your own decision.  After graduating from Seattle University, Dino Rossi started his career in commercial real estate in 1983 (www.dinorossi.com) with Capretto & Clark owned by Melvin Heide.  Within a year, Capretto filed for bankruptcy, and federal agents began building a criminal case against Heide who eventually was set to prison for fraud (Seattle Times).  It is unreasonable to “expect a new agent such as Dino Rossi to discern” anything wrong when he first started.  However, Rossi followed Hyde from firm to firm for years after (Seattle Times).  Capretto close its doors in 1985.  Dino Rossi followed Heide to another firm for a month and then both moved to Imperial Real Estate.  Heide was back in the news in 1987 about his involvement with alleged racketeering. In August 1989, Heide was indicted by a federal grand jury for defrauding investors during his time as owner of Capretto & Clark and was sent to prison (Seattle Times).  While running for Governor, Dino Rossi said he was unaware of Heide’s illegal business activities, because he did not read newspapers at the time.  However, it is hard to believe that Rossi did not hear about the matter from co-workers, friends, and family.  When asked to further explain why he stayed with Heide, he has offered conflicting and factually incorrect accounts of the matter (Seattle Times).   Cannot Republicans do better than this for a candidate for Governor?

Candidates Rob McKenna and Dino Rossie for Governor

While never accused of illegal activity, Dino Rossi has shown a habit of looking the other way while others are being hurt and victimized as he makes tons of money.  We believe this is highly unethical.  It is not a suitable background for a Governor.  He says that if we elect him, he will help businesses.  We have to wonder what he really has in mind.  

Now we have Repubiclan Rob McKenna running for Governor.  While his ethical abuses don't appear to rise to that of Rossi, he has waged war on the middle class and labor unions.  

Jay Inslee  is a much better choice and he is endorsed by Eastern Washington Voters.