Who really owns Billy Long Auctions LLC -- An update

Continuing on this story....

From Andrew Briefbart's Big Government:

It appears voters will have to wait until mid-June to find out whether or not Long is a man of his word. That’s when federal lawmakers’ annual personal financial disclosure reports become public.

[Ed Note: I don't have any particular axe to grind with Rep. Long, and would almost support compelling lawmakers to own an outside business so they have to live with the consequences of their votes. But since he used his claim that he would have to sell his businesses upon entering Congress as a reason voters should trust him, a follow-up on this seems a reasonable question. I don't have expert knowledge of House Rules, so I wanted to give Rep. Long's office every opportunity to respond. Yesterday, I sent the following e-mail to his press secretary:

Mr. Funk-

This is Mike Flynn, editor of BigGovernment.com. One of my contributors, Bob McCarty, has filed a piece raising questions about whether Rep. Long has sold his business interests, which allegedly he said he would do during the campaign. McCarty notes in the piece that he hasn't gotten a response from the Congressman's office. I'd like to give you that opportunity here. Can you update me on the status of this or whether or not your office foresees a future sale or even if no future sale is planned? Thanks.

I received this reply:

Evening Mike,

I talked to Bob on the phone this morning when he called our office. He had faxed in his questions to us, which is unusual, so regrettably his request was lost in the shuffle. When he informed me that he was not from the district I told him that at the moment we are focused exclusively on our district press and our constituents.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Bret

Mr. Funk, meet the Internet. Internet, meet Mr. Funk. Mr. Funk seems to think there is such a thing as "district press" or that only certain reporters are allowed to ask questions of an elected official. This isn't the case. So, I replied with the following note:

I understand he is not from the district. Are you comfortable, then, with BigGovernment running the piece as is, without a statement or clarification from your office? I understand that BigGovernment.com is not in your district, but can pretty well guarantee it will be read by people in your district. I met the Congressman when I spoke at the Reagan Library last month or so, so I'd like to give your office a chance to get its side of the story out. So, that would be the "anything else" I need.

I have not received a reply.]

This morning, Congressman Long was on KZRG in Joplin with Josh Marsh. It was on Marsh's show last fall that Long said he would have to sell his auction house. Long also told the Springfield News-Leader and the Springfield Business Journal the same thing. While Marsh asked Long about "Auctioneer's Day", he didn't ask Long about the promise Long made on his show last Fall. Marsh gave Long a pass.