Primary Bombshell?: Claims of Harrassment Against Treasurer Flowers (Updated)

Filed in National by on August 13, 2014

I was talking about my personal indecisiveness regarding the State Treasurer Democratic Primary between incumbent Chip Flowers and challenger Sean Barney with a source. I made the point that Chip is an effective and good retail politician. A real backslapper, not unlike Bill Clinton or Joe Biden in the way he works a crowd. But he has this cloud over him with the past stories of expense scandals, public confrontations with the Governor. On the flip side, Sean is not so good at the retail stuff, but he does have a sense of competence about him, which I value in these ROW offices that should be not be subject to elections. I remarked to my source that I thought the primary was going to be a very close race. My source replied “…. assuming something doesn’t break in, say, the next three weeks.”

Then he said.. “that is foreshadowing.”

That was yesterday.

This is today:

Former deputy state treasurer Erika Benner has accused her former boss, state Treasurer Chip Flowers, of making harassing and threatening statements in text messages and phone calls after an incident before a July Fourth parade in Dover.

Benner, who lost her treasury job after a controversy involving personal charges on her state credit card, made her allegation to Dover Police on July 6 and again in another report filed last week. Among the personal charges that she reimbursed to the state were October 2011 charges for tickets to a New England Patriots game and a car service in Boston to the event.

Flowers said he has not harassed Benner, and said he’s been the subject of harassing behavior. He has said Benner contacted him after she filed the first claim of harassment. Flowers said he has a video of Benner’s teen son “attacking my car” and screaming a racial slur at him with Benner present. […]

Benner reported that the incident began when her son, who is a minor and is not being named by The News Journal, exchanged words with the treasurer while Flowers was lining up for a July Fourth parade on Hazel Road in Dover.

The July 6 report, written by an officer who misspelled Benner’s name, went on to describe how Benner characterized her communication with Flowers.

“After several hours of texting and talking to Mr. Flowers, Ms. Brenner (sic) related that she instructed Mr. Flowers to stop due to the content of the texts and the calls. Ms. Brenner (sic) related that at one point in the phone call with Mr. Flowers, he told her that if her son approached him again, he would have to defend himself with a gun and he would shoot him in the head if it came down to it,” the officer’s incident report states.

Why is Flowers exchanging words and presumably insults with a teenager? Can’t he just walk away? And if the teenager is causing problems, can’t Flowers call the police himself? Sweet Jesus, enough. And the gun threat? What is this? Goodfellas? The News Journal has copies of the texts allegedly sent from Flowers to Benner:

“Tell him to come to my house,” according to the text Benner provided that she said was sent by Flowers on the evening of July 4. “I picked up something from cabelas last week that should ude (sic) just fine. Tell him I’m begging him. He fu—- with the wrong ni—.” Flowers said he used racial language in his text message because Benner’s son yelled a racial slur at him during the July Fourth incident.

Flowers also provided text messages to The News Journal that he said show Benner attempted to contact him after her initial harassment allegations on July 6.

“Can you please call me when you’re off the phone?” according to the text Flowers provided that he said was sent by Benner on July 22. “I’m in Middletown by myself and have a few hours. I didn’t know if you want to meet for a drink and some food. I’m driving by your house in a few minutes.”

Benner denies sending those text messages to Flowers after her first harassment complaint.

“I have never contacted him since I went to the police department on July 6,” Benner said.

I just knew that Cabela’s was bad news the minute it opened. I’m tired. Aren’t you tired? I’m tired.

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  1. Wow. If Flowers really sent that text about having a gun and ‘bleeping with the wrong n—-‘, he belongs somewhere other than elective office. Hopefully that somewhere is padded.

    Man, I need to go to bed. Exhausted from a pretty amazing day on the blog.

  2. cassandra_m says:

    What grown man does this kind of beefing with a freakin’ teenager?

  3. Delaware Dem says:

    Needless to say, I am not so indecisive anymore.

  4. pluribusunum says:

    The NJ took down that piece of the text.

    Why did Benner’s son call him a slur? Why did she alter the police report?

  5. John Young says:

    I think the PDD co-endorsement is the icing on this story.

  6. Delaware Dem says:

    How so John? Was the PDD supposed to be psychic?

  7. cassandra_m says:

    Psychic? That’s an interesting way to describe ignoring a few years worth of bad management.

  8. Delaware Dem says:

    pluribusunum, they did not take down the terroristic threatening that allegedly came from Flowers. If he send that text, he is guilty of a felony.

  9. pluribusunum says:

    Wait a second, you have a quote there that the News Journal has taken down, have you seen the text? Do you have a copy? That’s the most incendiary part of that message. Why haven’t you taken it down?

    And, no, a crime wasn’t commited. It says right in the article that you conveniently cut out:

    “In an incident report provided by the Dover Police Department regarding Benner’s July 6 allegation, police said they do not believe a crime was committed.”

    The July 6th report is the one where he is alleged to have made the terroristic threat.

    So are you launching your own independent investigation here?

  10. Painesme says:

    Yet another Chip implosion. Why can’t the Treasurer of Delaware control himself? I’m a little surprised, considering how many people knew about their relationship and how long this has been going on, that this story hasn’t come up sooner.

    Anyone have any lingering doubts about who is the best candidate for Treasurer?

  11. Delaware Dem says:

    Regarding the last line of text in the alleged Chip text about fucking with the wrong N*****, I have reached out to the NJ to find out why they dropped it. If they only dropped it due to readership reasons, i.e. they think it would be too incidienary for their pages yet the text language does exist, then the language will stay posted on this blog. If the NJ got the text wrong, then I will remove it and perhaps question the whole story.

    As for why the Dover Police did not consider that threat a crime, but they are still investigating other texts, I don’t know their reason. Seems pretty clear cut to me that the language constituted a threat of bodily harm with a deadly weapon. Perhaps the Dover PD thought the whole thing was a domestic incident, I don’t know. Speaks more to the failings of the Dover PD than anything else right now in my mind.

  12. Anny says:

    John Manifold, you may be on to something. NJ needs to release the texts messages, then we can all make up our own mind of who is harassing who.

  13. SussexWatcher says:

    The text text is back:

    “Tell him to come to my house,” according to the text Benner provided that she said was sent by Flowers on the evening of July 4. “I picked up something from cabelas last week that should ude (sic) just fine. Tell him I’m begging him. He fu—- with the wrong ni—.” Flowers said he used racial language in his text message because Benner’s son yelled a racial slur at him during the July Fourth incident.

  14. Delaware Dem says:

    Jon Starkey, the author of the piece, responded that the part of the alleged text that was dropped has been added back in with an additional sentence regarding Flower’s explanation as to why he used the racial slur in his text. You can read that above.

    To me, that is an amazing admission on Flowers’ part, because if he is copping to one part of the text, isn’t he confirming the rest? You know, the more egregious part of the text? Everyone is caught up on a racial slur. To me, the worst part of the text is the gun threat.

  15. pluribusunum says:

    An alleged gun threat…. that police already reviewed a month ago and said wasn’t a crime.

  16. Anny says:

    If she actually has texts of him alluding to a gun, that can be very serious charges against Mr. Flowers. It looks like possibly more was texted in the last month. Since she showed up last week to add additional information.

  17. SussexWatcher says:

    May not be a crime, but it’s damn fucking stupid.

    Which pretty much sums up Chip Flowers.

    Say hello to Treasurer Barney.

  18. Anny says:

    Sussex, do you think Barney has a shot against Simpler? It is going to be a tough race no matter who it is. Flowers at this point can only hope to save his firm of potential scandal.

  19. Rufus Y. Kneedog says:

    I heard the Simpler / Valenzuela debate tonight – I thought Simpler beat her handily. He made the case that he is the only candidate with money management experience very effectively. He sounded like a credible candidate for this office – he will be a tough out.

  20. Not looking good for Chip Flowers. Why in the world would anyone in that prominent of a public position do that to himself? Self-implosion on his part!

  21. Rufus Y. Kneedog says:

    I guess the moral to the story is live by the late-breaking scandal, die by the late-breaking scandal. VJP was garden variety double dipping, this is utter insanity.

  22. orestes says:

    Anny
    “If she actually has texts of him alluding to a gun, that can be very serious charges against Mr. Flowers. It looks like possibly more was texted in the last month. Since she showed up last week to add additional information.”

    Cabelas is well known for its extensive firearm’s stock. I don’t know what else Flowers could be referencing considering the tone of the messages.

    Maybe, Flowers was talking about a portapotty in the Cabelas Camping section.

  23. puck says:

    It is all too confusing. One of these people – Flowers or Benner – is an unhinged lunatic. The verdict on who is the bad guy could go either way. More info needed.

    This part about altered police reports is bizarre, and even moreso because nobody has commented on it yet:

    “This report you presented me has been altered,” Dover Police Lt. Jason Pires, when shown the report Benner gave to The News Journal. “We checked and verified our records, which are consistent with the original document that we presented to you guys.”

    Benner strongly denied that she would alter any police report and insists that she made necessary corrections. “I never said I was in a relationship with Chip Flowers,” Benner said. “They will have to issue another statement. There’s no way I altered a police report.”

  24. Intheknow says:

    It took long enough. Dover’s worse kept secret is finally out despite both of them conveniently saying it didn’t happen. It’s clear that it did happen and it’s typical activity for Mr. Chip Flowers. And anybody who believes it ended in 2012…I have some land to sell you in the middle of the Indian Ocean. I can’t even begin to remark about the comments to her son, just not very smart to engage in that manner.

    I wonder how all of this will affect the primary, if at all.

  25. puck says:

    Does it bother anybody else that these alleged texts from Flowers were provided by Benner? Somebody had better get the texts from the phone company directly before assuming they are valid. Maybe the Dover PD is doing that now as part of their investigation.

  26. Anny says:

    Intheknow, it seems like the Dover Cops said the relationship did happen. Why would they report a relationship existing throughout 2012 if it didn’t. They are lying making a story or Erika is back peddling, if they dismissed the first charges what do they have to gain? Unless new text messages prove otherwise!

  27. Anny says:

    Puck, I think text messages from both parties will clear this up quickly. Keep in mind texts are forever, embarrassing on both parts!

  28. In The Know says:

    FWIW, “Intheknow” is not “In The Know,” so don’t assume he brings my credibility to the table.

    That said, even if only part of this story is true (and I’m not in position to pass judgment on that), there are so many suggestions of inappropriate behavior here that the incumbent will have to spend the next four weeks playing defense.

    Barney’s campaign has hardly been persuasive but, like Flowers four years ago, it’s helpful to be the beneficiary of a political suicide.

  29. puck says:

    “Puck, I think text messages from both parties will clear this up quickly.”

    Yes, but make sure the texts come directly from the phone company, not sent to the News Journal by anybody else.

    ” Keep in mind texts are forever, embarrassing on both parts!”

    Unless somebody makes “necessary corrections” before sending them to the News Journal.

    And why the hell do people twiddle their thumbs on text messages instead of just making a normal phone call anyway?

  30. ITK (formerly Intheknow) says:

    I am not arguing the relationship didn’t happen, I am saying I don’t believe it ended in 2012. These two have allegedly been at it for a long time and but for the entrance of a certain other woman (read: fiance), I am not sure they would have ever stopped, if they ever truly did.

    Puck – I think you will get your answer soon. I don’t believe that her texts were fabricated and I am pretty sure she has much more in the arsenal to fire if motivated to do so.

    In the Know – Sorry for the mix up, changed the name to reflect the difference.

  31. saltyindependent says:

    this is good news for ken simpler. he has a legitimate shot to win a statewide office at this point.

  32. Anny says:

    ITK, it will be interesting for the texts and phone log to be released. If he was still talking to Benner, the current fiancé may have some questions for Mr. Flowers.

  33. puck says:

    ” If he was still talking to Benner”

    If my ex’s teenage son tracked me down and publicly spoke to me using racial slurs – you can bet I would be in touch with her that afternoon, fiance or not.

  34. Anny says:

    I think NJ could clear this up if they wanted to by sharing the texts. I didn’t see any transcripts on their site.

  35. Geezer says:

    Ken Simpler has a lot more than a good shot. About all he has to do is ask, “Isn’t it time for a grown-up? Isn’t it time you tried a Republican?” Run not just against Chip Flowers but the entire string of Democratic treasurers from Markell to Jones-Potter to Flowers. Why would you trust Democrats to nominate anyone competent to the office?

  36. Colt 45 says:

    This is the third woman to accuse the People’s Treasurer of violence:

    Barbara Vilches-Cruz wanted the protection-from-abuse order. Her account to Family Court was told under oath, as was Flowers’ denial of it.

    In a sworn statement, Vilches-Cruz described a scene as they argued and she decided to leave.

    “I pushed past him and ran down the stairs. Chipman Flowers grabbed my legs and attempted to pull me back up the stairs. I held onto the railing and yelled for help. Chipman climbed on top of me and began punching my face and beating my head, telling me that I’d better be quiet because he was not going to allow me to ruin his political career,” she said in the Family Court document.

    “Chipman Flowers pinned me down, slammed my head into the stairs, bit me repeatedly on my breasts, legs and arms. Chipman also scratched me up and down my body,” Vilches-Cruz continued in the sworn statement.

    “I truly feared he would kill me because of how hard he was hitting me. He made me promise not to leave the house if he got off of me. I eventually did,” the sworn statement also said.

    When Johnson testified, she said that Flowers gripped her knees and dug in his fingernails. She took out her cell phone to call someone, but he grabbed it and pocketed it. She left but got hung up at the coat check, and they wound up leaving together.

    She testified he banged the cell phone against her car, then threw it on the ground and stomped on it. She made a move to get into her car to drive away, but he seized the door handle. He hit her and left a cut above her left eye. She got the car door closed and drove away, not going directly home because she was afraid he would follow.

    The next day she went to the Wilmington police.

    Read more: http://www.doverpost.com/article/20101012/News/310129988#ixzz3ALNBMM6F

    Benner said: “I’m distraught that my sons and I are being harassed and bullied by my former boss. I have no political motive in filing these charges at this time. I need to protect my sons and myself from his erratic, threatening behavior. I will not allow this individual to terrorize me into keeping my mouth shut.”

    “After several hours of texting and talking to Mr. Flowers, Ms. Brenner (sic) related that she instructed Mr. Flowers to stop due to the content of the texts and the calls. Ms. Brenner (sic) related that at one point in the phone call with Mr. Flowers, he told her that if her son approached him again, he would have to defend himself with a gun and he would shoot him in the head if it came down to it,” the officer’s incident report states.

    Benner provided copies of text messages to The News Journal that she said prompted her to go to police after the incident between Flowers and her son.

    “Tell him to come to my house,” according to the text Benner provided that she said was sent by Flowers on the evening of July 4. “I picked up something from cabelas last week that should ude (sic) just fine. Tell him I’m begging him. He fu—- with the wrong ni—.” Flowers said he used racial language in his text message because Benner’s son yelled a racial slur at him during the July Fourth incident.

    According to the report provided by Dover police, Benner also told police that “she had a previous romantic relationship with Mr. Flowers which was at times physical in nature with Mr. Flowers being the aggressor.” The relationship ended in 2012, the incident report states.

    http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/2014/08/13/ex-deputy-treasurer-benner-claims-flowers-harassed/14029119/

  37. puck says:

    Benner is a disgruntled ex-employee. Who is harassing whom?

    Benner reported that the incident began when her son… exchanged words with the treasurer while Flowers was lining up for a July Fourth parade

    After several hours of texting and talking to Mr. Flowers…

  38. Jason330 says:

    At least one mystery has been solved. Well, this pretty much explains why Team Barney has been idling its engine.

  39. puck says:

    Ask Tom Carper if allegations of violence against women hurt his political career.

    Even if they don’t stick, which seems likely, they will have served their purpose – The charges are a continued reminder that Flowers is a successful black man who dates white women, which triggers white-hot resentments on both sides of the color line.

    It is interesting that these sketchy charges only came out after Barney got his ass kicked in debate. How many nothingburgers make a meal?

  40. cassandra_m says:

    A persistent habit of harassing and misusing women is hardly a nothingburger. Although I get that you think that behavior is just fine, puck.

  41. truth speaker says:

    Chipster is a narcissist and a racist and he likes to rough up his women.

  42. There is often a reason why disgruntled employees are disgruntled. They got screwed.

    Have we forgotten that Chip was desperately defending Benner less than a year ago when it looked like she had the goods to nail him for his profligate proclivities? In fact, the little Chipmunks were accusing me of having it in for Benner b/c apparently we didn’t like each other during our time in Leg Hall (I still don’t remember her, and never disliked her b/c I didn’t know her).

    Now, the same little Chipmunks are tearing down Benner as unstable. Get a story and stick to it.

    Chip is also alluding to Benner’s mental state. Because, of course, Chip is the model of mental health.

    If Flowers indeed wrote that, he bought something at Cebela’s to take care of Benner’s son b/c he ‘fucked with the wrong nigger’, and it appears that he has admitted that he did, that should be game set match. That is a threat to inflict bodily harm in print. Doesn’t matter if it turns out that Benner’s son is an asshole and called Chip the N word.

    And, at some point, how much do we have to suspend our disbelief to think that not, one, not two, but THREE different women have complained that Chip abused/intimidated them, but that HE’s the real victim?

    But it’s nice to have Puck back running interference for the Chipster. Nostalgia, blended with nausea.

  43. ITK says:

    Puck you were up and at it early this morning. Whether you want to believe it or not Chip has his own share of blame in this mess starting with having a romantic relationship with a subordinate. That is an extreme no-no especially in a government office. This situation was all fine and good while the parties were getting along and doing this crap in private and public. But look at what’s happened: she has taken the fall for everything. Is she disgruntled? Absolutely – wouldn’t you be if you lost everything? But on top of that, now there is this thing with her kid (who shouldn’t be involved anyway)? What does she have to lose at this point? Chip is accountable for his actions, period. The truth lies somewhere in the middle and everyone should know that.

    Nice that you want to stand up for him, but the scorned woman act goes but so far. It takes two to tango.

  44. puck says:

    “A persistent habit of harassing and misusing women is hardly a nothingburger. ”

    I also know that at DL, any allegation made against a man by or on behalf of a woman is granted the instant imprimatur of truth. But the truth of the charges is currently in the hands of police, as is proper. Let me know if they come up with something. So far they have not.

  45. Jason330 says:

    It actually took a little longer to get the the “high tech lynching” charges in this thread than I anticipated.

  46. AQC says:

    My speculation is that they’re both crazy. However, she is not running for office. Puck, can you possibly justify Chip being so stupid as to send the text he admits to sending?

  47. ITK says:

    I totally agree AQC. There is more to this sordid story and I hope we aren’t privy to be honest. This whole thing is embarrassing on all levels. Chip needs to filter his zipper, mouth and fingers at this point.

  48. cassandra_m says:

    Even if you want to whitewash the obvious issues with women this guy has, the threats against the teen were out of order. I don’t care what the kid said — the grownup thing to do would have been to get the police involved if you felt that threatened.

  49. Dave says:

    Regardless of whether Flowers did or did not engage in an text-based altercation with a former paramour, the fact that it took place in a non-verbal medium demonstrates a lack of judgment and discretion. Since this is not the first demonstration of poor judgment on his part, we can discern a pattern that leads one to conclude that Flowers lacks a vital characteristic necessary for the office he seeks to retain.

    Winning a battle of he said/she said does not negate another display of poor judgment on his part. The consequence for elected officials or candidates who insist on putting their frailties on public display should be the same as in the Weiner’s wiener affair. What is it about electronic communication do these people not get?

  50. pluribusunum says:

    Let’s do it Simpler guys.

  51. AQC says:

    I actually like Sean Barney and I don’t understand some of the gripes here against him. There are times I consider voting for a Republican, but not this time.

  52. We get it epluribus. You support Simpler. Thank you. Next.

  53. painesme says:

    Puck –

    You can try to cast doubt on the text messages and who is doing the harassing, but Chip’s responses to the News Journal is disqualifying enough. “I chose to use a racial slur when texting a 15 year old because he used it first” is not an acceptable response from an adult, let alone the friggin Treasurer of Delaware.

  54. Geezer says:

    Fool me twice, shame on me. If Carper is for him, I’m against him.

  55. jason330 says:

    I regret that find that argument compelling.

  56. liberalgeek says:

    The text message didn’t say that he was going to hunt down and kill the son. It sounded to me like a warning that the kid had better keep his distance from Chip’s home. I certainly wouldn’t say something that stupid, but I don’t generally get called the N word sitting in line waiting for a parade to start. Also, he was texting with Benner, not the 15 year old (if I read it right).

    Also, relating to the previous accusation:

    I pushed past him and ran down the stairs. Chipman Flowers grabbed my legs and attempted to pull me back up the stairs.

    Have you ever tried to grab the legs of a person going down the stairs behind you? I would guess that that is very close to impossible (grab an arm, sure). After a single step, the lower part of the persons leg is already below your feet.

    JM – thanks for the blast from the past.

  57. Geezer says:

    I’m puzzled about why this is news if neither charges nor a lawsuit have been filed. Giving Ms. Benner a platform a few weeks before a hotly contested primary when she has no legal grounds to make the claim smells really bad.

    She also had no interest in talking to the media just a few weeks ago. Why now?

  58. cassandra_m says:

    It sounded to me like a warning that the kid had better keep his distance from Chip’s home.

    That’s what it sounded like to me and whether his response was to the kid or to Benner doesn’t make that response any more adult. I do get called the N-word on more occasions than I want to admit (and sometimes by kids). Hinting that I have a gun and can hurt somebody isn’t something I’ve ever done. And I’m not a public official who may have those words thrown back at him one day.

  59. liberalgeek says:

    True. But I would guess that if someone was banging on your door shouting the N word, you might crack open that Cabellas box.

    Also, I have never defended Chip’s inability to STFU. It is probably his greatest weakness as a politician. I wouldn’t doubt that Benner made a point of prompting some sort of stupid response from Chip.

  60. cassandra_m says:

    So are you claiming the kid was banging on his door? Because Chip tells the NJ that the kid yelled a racial slur at him during a parade.

  61. liberalgeek says:

    No, I am saying that doing that at a parade is one thing that requires a modicum of discretion in what one says and does. In that situation, which is the one that occurred (and there appears to be video of it in Benners possession, so perhaps it was pre-meditated) the 15 year old clearly had an advantage. What’s Chip going to do? Punch the kid in the face?

    Chip appears to be suggesting “try that shit at my house and see how well it goes for you”. And if he tried that shit at Chip’s house, you get to the hypothetical that I presented above.

    The kid’s intent in Dover was obviously to humiliate Chip by calling him the N word in the line-up for a parade. If someone tried that shit with me, I’d be pissed too. Of course, I like to think I’d handle the situation differently, but who knows…

  62. cassandra_m says:

    Chip appears to be suggesting “try that shit at my house and see how well it goes for you”. And if he tried that shit at Chip’s house, you get to the hypothetical that I presented above.

    In which we get Chip appearing to to suggest that he has the emotional intelligence of the teen he is beefing with. You, LG, do have the emotional intelligence of a grown man (mostly). You insult yourself by even trying to empathize with this BS. Most people called the N word (by a freaking kid no less) aren’t responding by pointing to a virtual gun. People who are calling you the N-word in public want you to acknowledge that you’ve been hurt and/or insulted. The easiest way to disrupt the circuit is to just keep it moving. And yes, he does know that.

  63. In The Know says:

    We’ve got some really interesting spinning going on here. Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, in the rush the media have to get stories ready for publication, no one has asked Benner: Why are you making this an issue, and a very public one, at this time?
    I get that it’s a natural Mother Hen response to want to defend and protect your child, and that may require calling the police. But the kid hardly comes across as an angel, and that’s certainly not the way she would have wanted it to play out.
    I don’t buy any of the speculation that Barney/Markell/Carper people put her up to this — if she were going to trash Chip publicly, she could have told her side of Alaska and the credit card saga, without getting her child involved.
    For now, we’re left to wonder about her motivation … but Chip’s all-too-predictable responses, both to Benner and in print, makes it all the more likely that he will be off message for the rest of the primary campaign, making it easier for the lackluster Barney to secure 50.1 percent of the vote.
    Before it’s done, I would like to know why Benner, in her inevitable effort to seek revenge on her ex-boss, would put her son in the middle of it all?

  64. liberalgeek says:

    Thanks for the parenthetical MOSTLY. I was afraid that I would have to blush.

    While I agree that his response was adolescent, I would really like to see how the conversation got to that point. If my kid did that yo my former employer, no matter the circumstances behind my departure, my next text to the guy would be to apologize for the behavior of my child and assuring him that the child would be properly sanctioned for that behavior.

    I wonder if that is how that conversation started.

  65. SussexWatcher says:

    Simpler calls on Flowers to resign: http://m.delaware1059.com/story.php?id=11188

  66. ITK says:

    I think the harassment claims were the platform for her to start talking. Based on what has “allegedly” occurred, I am surprised she waited this long as she probably could have tanked him a long time ago. I also would not be surprised to see another article or two come out addressing those issues. Now that it appears that there is some conflict in her story – retracting something that clearly appears in the police report – it’s time to save face with the evidence of their relationship, Alaska, the credit cards etc. If he thinks this is over, he is wrong.

    Cassandra – his response was so adolescent in all of this by it is typical. React now, spin the reaction later.

  67. cassandra_m says:

    Thanks for the parenthetical MOSTLY.

    It is just that some of the blog shenanigans by you, Jason and DonViti are still searchable here. 😆

    Sorry.

    If my kid did that to anyone in public, he would have been promptly removed from that public venue in the most embarrassing way possible. I can’t tell from the story if Benner was there.

  68. Jason330 says:

    lol. I thought it was the country for a second.

  69. Delaware Dem says:

    LOL. I thought it was Cher, the singer, for a second.

  70. mediawatch says:

    Cheap headline-grabbing trick for Cher, and Simpler said it first. She needs all she can get.
    Has Barney decided to say anything yet? Really decisive.

  71. Dick says:

    Is there some requirement that Sean should comment on an ongoing police investigation? This is between Mr. Flowers and the police, not between the two candidates.

  72. Aint's Taking it Any More says:

    Barney needs to stay out of this debacle. He has nothing to gain, absolutely nothing.

    Let the Chipster deal with this as he has dealt with his other problems: relentlessly, loudly, and with a remarkable propensity to double down on dumb.

  73. Aint's Taking it Any More says:

    Just for shits and giggles would those in charge here consider resetting to Barney/ Flowers poll to zero.

  74. John Kowalko III says:

    Anyone who thinks that the text message allegedly sent by Chip could constitute a crime has absolutely no idea how the law works nor has even a minimal understanding of the requirements for a threat to constitute a crime.

  75. Thank heavens we have your great legal mind to suss it out for us.

    Care to tell us how threatening to shoot someone and writing that he ‘fucked with the wrong nigger’ doesn’t constitute a threat?

    We’d all like to be enlightened. Otherwise, your statement is merely a snooty assertion.

  76. AQC says:

    I don’t care if it’s a crime or not. It shows a level of immaturity, arrogance and poor judgment for someone who wants to remain in public office. Did anyone see his ridiculous Facebook post last night? He cannot stop himself from being STUPID!

  77. John Manifold says:

    “The man said he was gonna give it up!
    He’s gonna resign, y’all.”

    Will Chip resign during Nixon week?

  78. pluribusunum says:

    El som, tell us more about being a black male in America. I’d love to hear it. I’m sure others would too. I enjoy hearing your informed responses on how people should react to situations.

  79. cassandra_m says:

    Actually, the consensus here seems to be that Chip was immature, arrogant and guilty of poor judgement here. You should be telling us why this juvenile behavior should be acceptable. Bonus points for making the case for why a public figure not named Kardashian should be given a pass on this kind of stupidity.

  80. AQC says:

    Pluribus…what are you talking about?

  81. pluribusunum says:

    AQC, how should someone respond to a white kid calling him a racial slur? I just want to hear more. From this progressive blog.

  82. AQC says:

    An adult should try to 1) talk to the parent rationally, 2) ignore the child and 3) if feeling threatened, call the police. The key here would be the word adult.

  83. cassandra m says:

    That’s already been answered here.

    You still have a justification to make.

  84. LeBay says:

    El Som-

    Flowers is a clown. And I voted for him.

    That said, can you please point out where Flowers threatened to “shoot someone?”

    And Kowalko III is correct. Cops don’t act on text messages, even explicit ones. I’ve been through this w/ my oldest son. One of his former associates explicitly threatened my daughter , who was 12 at the time, with rape and murder via text message.

    I showed these texts to the CLUELESS NCCPD officer. I also showed him the section of the DE Code that deals w/ terroristic threatening. Both the officer and his MORONIC supervisor concluded that this was merely “harassment” and wasn’t worth pursuing. I was told I’d have to swear out a warrant in JP court if I wanted to pursue the matter.

    This is our “law enforcement” system in action.

  85. Aint's Taking it Any More says:

    Calling bullshit on the no crime committed.

    “Ms. Brenner (sic) related that at one point in the phone call with Mr. Flowers, he told her that if her son approached him again, he would have to defend himself with a gun and he would shoot him in the head if it came down to it,” the officer’s incident report states.”

    If those very same words came out of your mouth about the President the Secret Service would come through your front door with cuffs and guns drawn. The fact that this alleged statement attributed to Flowers was made in response to a prior confrontation between Flowers and Benner’s son makes the “shoot him in the head” remark more troubling.

    So . . . what’s more deserving of arrest and prosecution (a) dude with a few joints; or (b) a guy threatening to put a bullet in someone’s head.