State Rep. Steve Smyk Has Patrick Miller As His Campaign Treasurer

As recently as January 20th of this year, Patrick Miller has signed the campaign finance reports for State Rep. Steve Smyk.  Miller is listed as the Treasurer for “Friends of Steve Smyk”.

Miller, the controversial figure who loomed large in two audit investigations for school districts, Brandywine in 1999 and Indian River in 2016, now serves as the President of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.  Smyk has family members in the fire company.  Smyk made light of allegations against Miller on WGMD the other day and actually suggested it wasn’t criminal actions but unethical moves.

I would think, given the MANY allegations against Patrick Miller, the last thing any political candidate would want is to have Miller anywhere near a political campaign.  But I guess when your family is at the fire company Miller presides over it is worth it.  Sadly, Smyk’s father is on the financial oversight committee of the fire company.  But that oversight has triggered the Auditor of Accounts office and the Delaware Department of Justice to look into the same fire company.

I could understand if Miller was your campaign treasurer BEFORE the Indian River audit investigation came out.  But AFTER?  That is political suicide in my opinion.

How deep does the Miller well go?  Very deep.  Miller has been doing taxes for members of the fire company for many years.  But he won’t put his name on it.  This is the same Patrick Miller who put non-members on a state list to get tax credits they didn’t qualify for.  That, my friends, is tax fraud.  Ah, Rep. Smyk.  This does not look good for you, not at all…

Miller wasn’t the only campaign treasurer for a Sussex County politician.  Turns out he was the campaign treasurer for the recently convicted former Delaware State Representative John Atkins as well.  While Miller’s name doesn’t appear on the 2017 annual campaign finance report for Atkins, it is worth noting that NO ONE signed that filing.  But Miller is clearly listed on Atkins’ 2015 annual filing.  Atkins, a former Republican who switched to a Democrat, lost in 2014 to Republican Rich Collins.  Miller is a registered Republican.

Smyk, the incumbent Republican State Representative for the 20th State Rep. District faces Democrat John Bucchioni in the Delaware General Election in November.

Patrick Miller is toxic to anyone associated with him.  Why Smyk would continue this association is beyond me.

The below video, from “The Shawshank Redemption”, does have a few curse words.  Fair warning!