Latest news with #Morales
Indianapolis Star
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Diego Morales' work ethic isn't the problem. It's his corruption.
The one piece of credit I will give to Diego Morales is that he's a grinder. On that point, he and I agree. Morales racked up a gazillion miles attending far-flung Lincoln Day dinners across Indiana in the 2010s, when he was an aspiring politician. He served food. He shook hands. He ingratiated himself to fellow Republicans, ranging from statewide office-holders to rank-and-file voters. He showed up. Every day. Morales became a statewide elected official solely on the strength of that hustle. It has continued since he took office. The question is: To what end? When the Republican base got mad at former Gov. Eric Holcomb over his perceived squishiness, they took it out on Holli Sullivan, who was Holcomb's handpicked secretary of state. Morales was there to capitalize. Disaffected Republicans nominated Morales over Sullivan in 2022, despite Sullivan's competence and Morales' resume full of lies. Morales won the general election, taking over a secretary of state's office that had previously fired him for poor performance (remember, you can be a hard worker and also bad at your specific job). Morales' political rise has depended on a lot of luck. But he also made his own luck. That's why Morales' performative defense of his record is so ludicrous. Morales chose a July 23 Motor Vehicle Advisory Board meeting as an appropriate venue to go off on a 15-minute rant. He insisted "I don't care" about critics while also repeatedly lashing out at "fake news," which in his view includes WIBC-FM (93.1), IndyStar and, presumably, me. His impromptu one-man-show included a peculiar rebuttal to the "fake news." "I have put more miles on the car than two secretaries of state combined," Morales said, just warming up. "My work ethic is unmatched," he added. "You know who's the crazy guy who arrives in the Statehouse between 5 and 5:30 a.m.?' OK, sure. That's sort of missing the point, though, right? Morales' work ethic isn't the problem. It's his corruption. It's that Morales is "crisscrossing Indiana's 92 counties," as he put it, in a taxpayer-funded $90,000 GMC Yukon Denali. While we're on this point, why is Morales driving 2,000 miles per month, anyway? How is that an efficient use of time for a secretary of state, much less something to brag about? Back when Morales was running for secretary of state, I reported that he once lied about his residency status and almost certainly voted illegally in 2018. Morales, who lived in Indianapolis, was running for Congress in the 4th District. He pretended to live in a Plainfield condo in the district so he wouldn't be viewed as a carpetbagger. He twice voted in Hendricks County, while taking a property tax homestead deduction in Marion County, signaling that's where he really lived. It's fairly common for congressional candidates to lie about where they live. But Morales took it to the next level. I reported at the time that Morales directed staff to visit the condo and program lights on timers to make the home seem occupied. His campaign even put up Christmas decorations. I think that anecdote explains a lot about Morales. He's sharp. He's detail-oriented. He puts in effort. But he applies those presumptive virtues toward deceiving others and serving his own interests. One of the hardest parts of writing about Morales is deciding which scandals to reference, because the list is tediously long for reader and writer alike. Here goes: Morales' $90,000 SUV came from Kelley Automotive of Fort Wayne, which also happens to be one of his top donors; he has awarded millions of dollars in no-bid contracts; he continues to employ his brother-in-law to a six-figure salary and give him generous bonuses, along with other staff; he keeps traveling overseas for unclear reasons with unclear funding sources; and he spends taxpayer money on knickknacks with his name on them, including chip clips, which I use to keep my pretzels fresh. Morales also has faced credible sexual assault allegations and exaggerated his military record, which he loves to cite yet neglects to mention that he left the Indiana National Guard before meeting his obligation. Based on all this, I've argued that the Indiana General Assembly should impeach Morales. That's not likely to happen. Instead, the Indiana Republican Party seems hopeful about replacing him at next year's nominating convention. Morales has already announced he's running for reelection, setting up what promises to be a contentious fight. Republican challengers are lining up to take down Morales, while Democrat Beau Bayh — the son of Evan Bayh — is also positioning himself to run for secretary of state. Everyone knew who Morales was when he ran for secretary of state the first time. He's no doubt emboldened by his ability to lie and "fake news" his way through everything so far. But his act is wearing thin, even outside the high-information bubble of Central Indiana. Sources tell me Morales is becoming the butt of jokes across the state at Lincoln Day dinners, the Republican events where he once endeared himself to attendees. Perhaps Morales is feeling the pressure and that's why he lashed out. Or maybe he's lost in his own delusion and truly believes that his value to Indiana taxpayers can be measured by an odometer. "I'm a leader and I'm setting the tone for the rest of our team here in the secretary of state's office and for this board," Morales said during his Motor Vehicle Advisory Board diatribe. "My work ethic is unmatched and I hope the fake news will write that." There it is. I've written it. But Morales isn't going to win another term by beefing with the fake news. He's going to have to convince Republican delegates that he isn't insulting their intelligence. He did it once. It's going to be a much tougher sell next time around.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
John T. Shaw: Philanthropy leader fights fear and envisions a better world
One need not be a cultural anthropologist to appreciate that the most powerful force now driving American life is not hope, or optimism, or confidence. It is fear. This fear has been ignited by President Donald Trump and has been fueled by his combative administration and the complicit Republican majority in Congress. It's been inadvertently fanned by a dispirited, seemingly hapless, Democratic Party and the capitulation of critical institutions such as law firms, corporations and universities that are more focused on self-preservation than honoring their historic missions. The Merriam-Webster dictionary provides these antonyms for fear: audacity, nerve and guts. Michelle Morales, president of Woods Fund Chicago, possesses these qualities in abundance. And others as well, such as resolve and determination. 'I have been dismayed at the amount of fear and by the silence of institutions that have bent to the will of this administration,' she told me in a recent interview. 'It's been scary to see how many people have changed, or stayed quiet, or realigned their work. We need to push back, even if there are ramifications for pushing back.' Morales' philanthropic statesmanship is based on courage, resilience and her vision of a 'reimagined world' rooted in racial and economic justice and basic humanity. The child of parents from Puerto Rico, Morales was born in Yonkers, New York, and grew up as a self-described 'military brat.' She attended DePaul University as an undergraduate, fell in love with Chicago and has lived here since. She has been a teacher, community organizer and executive director of the Illinois chapter of the Mikva Challenge, which promotes youth civic participation and leadership. Morales assumed the presidency of Woods Fund Chicago in 2019. It is a private foundation with assets of more than $65 million. Many of its grants support community organizing for racial and economic justice and public policy advocacy. Morales may run a relatively small foundation, but she has a strong, forceful and authoritative voice. She is an outsized force. Inside Philanthropy, a respected journal that covers the sector, published a story in June about the quiescence of philanthropy to Trump's attacks on civil society. 'Many funders have opted for silence,' the article says. But it then describes several leaders, including Morales, who have stepped forward, spoken up and refused to be submissive. 'Early on in philanthropy, in the first months of the Trump administration, there was quite a bit of silence,' Morales said. 'It's been heartening to see more and more foundations speak out in the last few months, but the initial silence was scary. It's important for foundations to take a stand and come out from under the radar.' She credits the community's rallying to a Unite in Advance campaign that was launched in April by John Palfrey, president of the MacArthur Foundation; Tonya Allen, president of the McKnight Foundation; and Deepak Bhargava, president of the Freedom Together Foundation. They urged the philanthropic community to aggressively defend cherished values. 'We know the risk of standing up to a hostile government. But complacency is complicity. Foundations must lead — not just with grants but with guts,' their organizing essay declared. Morales argues that this is a deeply consequential moment. She has pushed WFC to go far beyond its traditional annual payout of 5% of assets for current programs. Its expanded financial commitment began in 2020 in response to the pandemic and has accelerated this year, reaching 15%. 'If COVID was the rainy day, this is the monsoon,' Morales said. She is a passionate advocate for robust diversity, equity and inclusion programs, a commitment WFC has long embraced. Morales was encouraged, but skeptical, when many corporations and universities rushed out statements supportive of diversity, equity and inclusion in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder by a Minneapolis police officer. She has been disappointed, but not surprised, that many have retreated, given opposition from the Trump administration. 'I am concerned about the pulling back. DEI, racial justice work, is not illegal. It's not unconstitutional. Structural racism is still very real in this country,' she said. Morales is gearing up for a protracted battle with the administration. But she is also determined to strive for what she calls a reimagined world with strong and effective social programs and commitments to racial and economic justice. And while seeking this better world, she insists that philanthropy must continue to support initiatives that improve the daily lives of those who are struggling. 'As cheesy as it may sound, I have to hold out hope. I believe that the work I'm doing is not only planting seeds but also creating the conditions for the reimagined world I believe in. We may not get there in my lifetime, but I'm going to keep working for it,' she said. 'If I allow cynicism to creep in, I'm done for. I won't have the energy or the passion or the joy for the work. But I won't lie. It's hard to bear witness to the amount of suffering that is occurring.'
Edmonton Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
CF Montreal pledges rebuild in open letter
Article content MONTREAL — CF Montreal has started its rebuild quickly. Article content The Major League Soccer club announced Wednesday that it has acquired 21-year-old defender Efrain Morales from Atlanta United in return for US$450,000 in 2025 general allocation money (GAM) and $350,000 in conditional GAM. Article content Atlanta would also retain a percentage of a future transfer involving Morales Article content Article content The move came hours after club executives published an open letter to fans that acknowledged the team's shortcomings and stated the club would begin a new chapter rooted in ambition, pride and winning. Article content Article content President and CEO Gabriel Gervais, managing director of recruitment and sporting methodology Luca Saputo and managing director of academy strategy and roster management Simone Saputo signed the letter. Montreal is currently languishing at the bottom of the MLS with a 3-15-6 record — for 15 points in 24 games — and dropped out of the Canadian Championship with a quarterfinal loss to lower-tier Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League in a bleak season. Article content The letter said supporters would see concrete steps toward a rebuild in the upcoming transfer windows. The MLS summer window, which allows clubs to sign players plying their trades in other countries, opens Thursday. Article content Article content Montreal had the league's lowest payroll last season. Morales is making $112,019 this year, according to the website Article content Morales began his professional career in 2020 with Atlanta United 2, where he had three goals and an assist over three USL Championship seasons and three MLS Next Pro seasons. Article content He made his MLS debut with Atlanta in a 3-0 victory over the Charlotte Independence in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup on May 7, 2024. Article content Over two MLS seasons, Morales has played 648 minutes over nine games and picked up one assist. He also played in three U.S. Open Cup games. Article content 'We have not met the standards we set for ourselves, nor those you have the right to expect. That is why we felt the need to communicate with you directly today. Article content We share your dissatisfaction with the Club's results, and it is our responsibility to build a winning team that we can all be proud of. Article content That is why we have decided to undertake a rebuild and launch a new chapter at CF Montreal. A chapter based on ambition and pride. A new era with victory at the heart of our sporting ambitions, while also honouring our rich history and the connection with you, our 12th player. Article content We know that trust is regained through actions. As such, during the upcoming transfer windows, you will see concrete steps, a committed team, and strong initiatives aimed at rebuilding, together, a Club that deserves your loyalty.'
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
CF Montréal pledges rebuild in open letter, acquires defender Morales from Atlanta
MONTREAL - CF Montreal has started its rebuild quickly. The Major League Soccer club announced Wednesday that it has acquired 21-year-old defender Efraín Morales from Atlanta United in return for US$450,000 in 2025 general allocation money (GAM) and $350,000 in conditional GAM. Atlanta would also retain a percentage of a future transfer involving Morales The move came hours after club executives published an open letter to fans that acknowledged the team's shortcomings and stated the club would begin a new chapter rooted in ambition, pride and winning. President and CEO Gabriel Gervais, managing director of recruitment and sporting methodology Luca Saputo and managing director of academy strategy and roster management Simone Saputo signed the letter. Montreal is currently languishing at the bottom of the MLS with a 3-15-6 record — for 15 points in 24 games — and dropped out of the Canadian Championship with a quarterfinal loss to lower-tier Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League in a bleak season. The letter said supporters would see concrete steps toward a rebuild in the upcoming transfer windows. The MLS summer window, which allows clubs to sign players plying their trades in other countries, opens Thursday. Montreal had the league's lowest payroll last season. Morales is making $112,019 this year, according to the website . Morales began his professional career in 2020 with Atlanta United 2, where he had three goals and an assist over three USL Championship seasons and three MLS Next Pro seasons. He made his MLS debut with Atlanta in a 3-0 victory over the Charlotte Independence in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup on May 7, 2024. Over two MLS seasons, Morales has played 648 minutes over nine games and picked up one assist. He also played in three U.S. Open Cup games. Born in Decatur, Ga., Morales represents Bolivia on the international stage. Full letter: 'We have not met the standards we set for ourselves, nor those you have the right to expect. That is why we felt the need to communicate with you directly today. We share your dissatisfaction with the Club's results, and it is our responsibility to build a winning team that we can all be proud of. That is why we have decided to undertake a rebuild and launch a new chapter at CF Montréal. A chapter based on ambition and pride. A new era with victory at the heart of our sporting ambitions, while also honouring our rich history and the connection with you, our 12th player. We know that trust is regained through actions. As such, during the upcoming transfer windows, you will see concrete steps, a committed team, and strong initiatives aimed at rebuilding, together, a Club that deserves your loyalty.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2025.
Indianapolis Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
How much did Diego Morales spend on travel? His campaign finance report has details
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales often catches flak for his jet-setting. His latest campaign finance report provides some insight into how much of that he considers for campaign purposes ― and how much it costs. The largest of his travel-related expenses reported is a $1,300 flight purchased about a month before his May trip to Hungary, though his campaign says that that particular line item was for "travel related to other campaign activities." That's just half of the overall amount he spent on air travel in the first six months of the year, during which he spent time and money on campaign expenses in numerous states outside Indiana. Morales raised nearly $160,000 in the first half of 2025, and enters the second half of the year with $900,000 in the bank. All the money he raised this year came in after May 1, when he announced his reelection campaign; shortly thereafter, two potential challengers emerged in Knox County Clerk David Shelton and former gubernatorial candidate Jamie Reitenour, who both have filed exploratory committees. Neither have reported raising any money. The expensive air travel was just one of IndyStar's findings from an analysis of his most recent campaign finance report. The $1,300 Delta Airlines expense is dated April 7, and the Hungary trip happened during the last week of May. Morales and his wife traveled there on what his office previously labeled "personal time," though he also spoke at CPAC Hungary about his role as secretary of state. Social media posts show Morales "enjoying some personal time in Europe" visiting family with his wife, Sidonia, who is Hungarian, as well as meeting with local dignitaries and speaking at CPAC Hungary. In response to criticism and questions over who paid for this trip, Morales wrote on social media that this was a "personal trip" and that CPAC covered the costs. In an email Thursday, his campaign reiterated that CPAC covered the trip costs through their Center for Fundamental Rights. It did not respond to a follow-up question asking where this $1,300 flight was to. More: Secretary of State Diego Morales gets flak for overseas travel. Is he breaking any rules? A quick search on Delta's website shows round trip tickets between Indianapolis and Budapest can cost anywhere from $700-$1,300 per person. Further, the Minnesota-St. Paul airport is a often a layover stop for this flight, and he got a meal from that airport on May 27 ― and a Facebook post later that day shows him in a meeting with local officials in Hungary. He also paid $240 on March 7 to U.S. Customs to get "precheck for air travel," shortly before a separate trip to India that month. While state law says that campaign money "may not be used for primarily personal purposes," campaign money can be used for "activity related to service in an elected office." Morales has repeatedly made the case that he'll always take opportunities that arise to represent and endorse Indiana as secretary of state, no matter where he is in the world ― though the mixture of business, personal and campaign-appearing activities amid Morales' overseas travel to both India and Hungary this year has drawn him critics from across the political spectrum. Morales' largest contribution this period comes from a political action committee with only two reported funders, one of whom is Kelley Automotive of Fort Wayne, where Morales' $90,000 state vehicle was purchased. Hoosiers for Good Government PAC, a political action committee created in 2023 by now-Allen County Commissioner Ronald Turpin, gave Morales $20,000 on June 30. This PAC has only reported contributions from two funders: $10,000 from Kelley Automotive of Fort Wayne and $60,000 from Ambassador Enterprises LLC ― a private equity firm founded by the parents of former gubernatorial candidate Eric Doden and for whom Turpin was a senior vice president. This PAC has only ever given two donations: $5,000 to a Fort Wayne mayoral candidate Tom Didier in 2023, and this large contribution to Morales. Here are Morales' other top donors: Here are the largest line items on his expense sheet:
