Protesters of Russell Pearce outside County Treasurer's office admit they were paid $50, apologize for protesting

The truth comes out. Read Maricopa County Treasurer Hos Hoskins' email to a City of Phoenix employee who questioned him about having conservative Russell Pearce as an employee. Leftist agitators with an agenda paid people - which apparently included Hispanic women, likely targeted because they were Hispanic - to protest outside the Treasurer's office, who felt bad about it afterwards when the truth came out. Horribly dishonest. Who do you believe, a leftist rag that makes its living from sleazy advertising, or Hos Hoskins, a former combat pilot who flew 274 combat missions in Vietnam and was awarded 13 Air medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross?

From: Charles Hoskins - TREASX <hoskinsc000@mail.maricopa.go>

To: 'Marshall Pimentel'

Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 11:12:31

Subject: RE: Russell Pearce

Dear Mr. Pimentel:

Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding one of my employees. I can assure you that the circumstances are not as dire as the media portrays it to be.

This entire issue comes from a blog written by a New Times reporter that refers to himself as the "Feathered Bastard" (FB). I have attached an excerpt from that blog and you can read the full version at:http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2014/09/sean_noble_gop_strategist_calls_on_russell_pearce_to_resign_because_of_pear.php

As you probably know, blogs are not the most reliable source for factual information. They attract readers by offering links to other services such as dating services and providing a controversial slant on current issues. The more readers they attract the more they can charge for their advertising.

In this blog the FB provided a "quote" from something Russell Pearce said on his talk radio show, and is highlighted in the attached blog excerpt. Mr. Pearce was, in fact, quoting from an email sent to him by someone using the name "WaderWoman. A copy of that email (which has been on the internet for several years) is attached and, as you can see, the highlighted portion closely matches what is in the FB's blog. However, the FB presented it in such a way that it would lead you to believe that Mr. Pearce was stating his opinion instead of quoting from something that has been around for years. While it appears that it was sent by a woman, it was written by a man. You can find more at: fact-check-rant-welfare-abuse-hits-home-internet-admirers

The FB blog was picked up by the broadcast and print media, and demonstrations were organized at the county treasurer's office. Following one of the demonstrations two of the lady protestors came back into the office and apologized to our employees. They said they only did it because they were paid fifty dollars per day. We watched them, and others of the group, drive off in cars with mostly out-of-state license plates.

It is mystifying why reasonably intelligent people give so much creditability to a blog written by a reporter that, with some degree of pride, refers to himself as the Feathered Bastard. What is even more disturbing is that the main stream media that we depend upon for factual information was so quick to act on something that has a creditability level equivalent to a political attack ad or a checkout counter tabloid.

As to Mr. Pearce's employment, it is solely dependent upon how well he performs his duties as a division manager which has been remarkable considering his short tenure. I will not dismiss him for exercising his right as a citizen to express himself, or pursue whatever interest he might choose on his own time. He's a military veteran and a highly decorated former police officer that was critically wounded in the line of duty. He has paid a price to protect the right for everyone to speak their mind...

Please let me know if I can provide any further information.

Regards,

Charles "Hos" Hoskins, Maricopa County Treasurer