Fattman Billboard Raises Questions on Local Republican Committee

Friday, November 07, 2014

Patrick Sargent, GoLocal Worcester Contributor

The battle for the South Central Massachusetts State Senate and the Worcester County Register of Probate may have been decided by one family in Sutton who funneled more than $50,000 through the local Republican Committee to help push Ryan and Stephanie Fattman to victory.

On Tuesday, Ms.Fattman defeated incumbent Stephen Abraham for the Worcester County Register of Probate.

State Representative John Mahoney (D- Worcester) called the Probate race “a popularity contest,” and Fattman won that contest by putting up as many signs as possible in order to increase her visibility.

Heading westbound on I-290 in Worcester, Fattman’s billboard is the highlight of her efforts to get her name out there.

The money that helped to raise Fattman’s name recognition and drive her victory started in Sutton.

Who Paid for the Billboard and Where Did the Funding Come From?

Sutton Republican Town Committee (REPTC) paid $10,050 for the billboard in Worcester. On the billboard, it discloses, “Paid for by the Sutton Republican Town Committee.”

The billboard was purchased on September 3rd, but Sutton REPTC did not specify on their expenditure report who the billboard was purchased for. Although REPTC does list the billboard as an expenditure, it has not yet listed it as an in-kind donation.

Stephanie’s husband Ryan Fattman (R) defeated incumbent Richard Moore (D) for the State Senate Seat for Worcester and Norfolk County on Tuesday.

The REPTC is Mr.Fattman’s top contributor. The chairman of the Committee is his 19 year old brother, Anthony Fattman.

In 2014, the REPTC donated $62,062.52 to Mr. Fattman’s campaign for State Senator. The Treasurer of the REPTC is Sutton Town Selectman Kenneth Stuart's son, Kenneth.

All of the money coming in to the REPTC gets approved by Anthony Fattman and then goes to Stuart for allocation. From there, the money goes to Don Fattman, Ryan's father and Campaign Treasurer.

Where Did All of This Money Come From to Support This Effort?

The majority of the contributions came from John Esler of Sutton and his family. Esler is currently a Director for MassFiscal.org, joining MassFiscal.org Political Director Carl Copeland.

Copeland previously served as Fattman’s Chief of Staff.

Esler, owner of Renewal by Andersen, a window company in Northborough, was the REPTC’s Treasurer in 2013. While Treasurer, Esler’s family contributed $30,000 to the committee, which was more than double the amount of the committee’s expenditures. $20,000 of that contribution came from members of the Esler family living outside of the state.

Over the course of five years (2008-2012) the REPTC had a receipt total of $42,132.29. In 2013 alone, the only year Esler was Treasurer, the recipt total was $57,000.

Thanks to Esler, going into 2014, the Committee had a balance of over $43,000. Ryan Fattman announced his candidacy for State Senate in February 2014.

As of October 17, the 2014 receipt totals are at $69,390.00, including another $20,000 from the Esler family.

Altogether since 2012, the Esler family has donated $55,000 to the Sutton REPTC.

In summary, all that's left is to connect the dots. John Esler, who now works with Ryan Fattman's former Chief of Staff, takes over as treasurer of the Sutton REPTC in 2013. He raises 135% more than the REPTC has in the previous five years. In 2014, Ryan Fattman announces his candidacy for State Senate, and his brother Anthony becomes Chairman of REPTC and can now serve as the middle-man to allocate funds directly to Ryan's campaign and to influence the purchase of a billboard for Stephanie Fattman's campaign.