APRIL 3, 2012: Inside a Finance committee meeting, Assist. Majority Leader Aresimowicz discovers that there was to be activity on the RYO legislation. He then appears to participate in the scheme by sending a text message to Harry “Ray” Soucy to let him know. Bear in mind that Soucy has already used coded language in a previous telephone conversation to tell Aresimowicz how much money Chris Donovan received to let the RYO legislation die.
Soucy answers Aresimowicz and says “need to stop that,” but Aresimowicz says he can’t because it’s “already written into the agenda.” Soucy responds by again notifying Aresimowicz that he “[took] care of [Chris Donovan] hope it dies.” Aresimowicz responds by applying pressure, asking Soucy why AFSCME Local 387 gave $500 to Rep. Jeff Berger, Aresimowicz’s opponent in the race for House Majority Leader.
Soucy responds by saying Donovan received “10 large” and that it wasn’t his call on the money for Berger. He then mentions that the RYO court decision is still on appeal and asks Aresimowicz whether the legislature generally avoids taking action while an issue is before the court – perhaps offering a suggestion on how Aresimowicz might kill the bill. But he doesn’t get an immediate response before asking again if there’s “any way to kill it.”
Aresimowicz tells Soucy that the bill passed and voting was to be open until 3 p.m., “but it is pretty over in here. I will talk to Chris.”
Soucy lets Aresimowicz know that delivery of another group of checks totaling $5,000 was being arranged for Nassi, to which Aresimowicz replies: “Then we will fix it when Chris let’s me know.” Soucy then suggests that if Aresimowicz can “fix” then he’ll increase the donation to “10 large.”
JA: You cigarette folks are being called manufacturers in Finance today.
HRS: need to stop that
JA: Can’t already written into the agenda
HRS: can u talk
JA: No in committee
HRS: tool care of cd hope it dies
JA: ?
JA: Why did 387 give Berger $500 last year?
HRS: Chris d got 10 large
JA: I know.
HRS: not my call on Berger that was before Secbac mow they want to talk to everyone before giving cash
JA: I didn’t even know. One of my supporters just showed me his report.
HRS: what is it looking like in committee judge ruled against state in court still under appeal dont u giys stay out of stuff on court
HRS: any way to kill it
HRS: are the d’#8217;s passing it
JA: R voted no D’s voted yes
JA: It passed voted will close at 3 but it is pretty over in here.
JA: I will talk to Chris.
HRS: have another meeting with his guy next week maybe
JA: You?
HRS: and guy with cks 5 large more set it up with Josh today
JA: Then we will fix it when Chris let’s me know
HRS: of u fix I will jump ot to
HRS: 10 large
HRS: u know I dont bullshit
JA: I know
JA: Just tough I don’t think he knew it was out there cuz it was JF language
HRS: will have tj take care of u too
JA: Not needed
HRS: u got pacs
HRS: always needed
HRS: send me bill # so i can read it
Provided as evidence by federal prosecutors in the trial of Robert Braddock Jr.
