Bad Check

Jersey City, New Jersey, August 9, 2005:

New Jersey Republicans say the Ronatarians need to stop dragging their feet and return the beer money they are owed. The Ronatarians say, "No way, Jose."

The latest dispute between the two political parties began in April when St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch Co. wrote a $5,000 check intended for the New Jersey Republican Party.

Instead, the envelope was addressed to the national Ronatarian Party -- based in New Jersey -- which promptly deposited the money.

"We bought beer with it," said party founder and leader Ron.

Katja Zastrow, Anheuser-Busch's regional director of governmental affairs in Washington, said in an e-mail statement that the check went astray "through a series of administrative oversights."

She said they are working with both parties to resolve the situation.

Ronatarians say they have not sent a refund check back to Anheuser-Busch nor do they intend on sending any money to the Republicans either.

"Finders keepers," said party spokesman 70's Man. "Look, we all know that possession is 9/10ths of the law. We got the moolah. We spent the moolah. And we ain't givin' none of it back!"

The GOP is threatening a lawsuit. State Republican Party Chairman Katie Dawson said they want the money back and any further delays are unacceptable.

"Tough noogies," responded Sepe & Shea LLP, the legal council for the Ronatarian Party.

In the letter, Dawson wrote that "this careless error was made over three months ago and has yet to be rectified." Zastrow did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Monday.

Posted by Bittle at August 9, 2005 08:43 AM