It's not an official part of the party's two-day convention agenda, but the St. Cloud gathering will be the first time hundreds of party activists from across the state have a chance to openly discuss the financial troubles that have engulfed the party for months. Here's a list of key events.
Oct. 27, 2011: Minnesota GOP executive committee members hold closed-door meeting to discuss newly discovered party debt.
Dec. 2, 2011: State Party Chairman Tony Sutton abruptly resigns one day before a leadership meeting at which party activists plan to scrutinize the party's budget and its mounting debt. GOP consultant Pat Shortridge eventually is tapped to replace Sutton.
Dec. 30, 2011: After an internal audit, the party learns it is more than $2 million in debt, including more than $700,000 owed to lawyers for the 2010 gubernatorial recount. Board members discover previously undisclosed credit card debt and consultant contracts. Party leaders begin process of filing new state and federal campaign finance reports to correct numerous errors.
April 23: State GOP faces eviction for nonpayment of more than $111,000 in rent. Days later, party officials announce a new agreement with their landlord and avoid eviction from their St. Paul offices.
April 29: The Star Tribune reports that Count Them All Properly Inc., the company Republicans created to pay the recount debt, has listed two erroneous CEOs with the state. The company has no office, telephone or website. Mary Igo, the newly listed CEO, maintains there is nothing improper about the company.
