Copyright CtWatchdog.com 2010
A veteran Connecticut Assistant Attorney General claims that Richard Blumenthal falsely told him 18 years ago that he had served as a Marine in Vietnam.
“It is the most despicable disgusting thing,” assistant attorney general Richard R. Hine told me in a telephone interview this morning.
Hine, a 24-year veteran trial attorney working for Blumenthal, said not only did Blumenthal lie to him 18 years ago about serving in Vietnam, he had heard Blumenthal make similar false statements at about five functions the two attended together over the years. He said he could not pinpoint any of the five. Blumenthal is now the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Chris Dodd.
Hine is a registered Republican but gave Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Dodd $1,000 in political contributions last year.
Hine, a Marine Major in the reserves, said he kept silent about the lies until now because the initial conversation 18 years ago was so emotional.
In that conversation, Blumenthal called Hine into his office to offer suggestions and assistance as Hine had been called up for duty for Desert Storm.
“Dick took time to talk to me about the challenges I might be facing. He knew my young daughter Allison from meeting her and talking to her numerous times,” Hine said. “Dick gave me his private phone number to call if I needed help or assistance. He told me to give Allison his private number and to have him call her if she was ever scared or worried about me.”
“He then said, you’re a Major, and so it will be a little different for you than it was for me as an enlisted Marine in Vietnam. I was appalled and shocked, because I knew he had not been to Vietnam, yet just a moment before he had helped to console my daughter in an unsolicited act of kindness.”
Blumenthal’s campaign spokeswoman Maura Downes said Tuesday that Blumenthal had no recollection of making that claim 18 years ago.
“Dick has been asked and has answered questions about his military service thoroughly and extensively,” Downes claimed. “Now his focus is to move on to the real problems and issues that concern the people of Connecticut. Dick recalls seeking to help and support Mr. Hine but that is his only memory of a conversation that occurred many, many years ago.”
Hine, however, said he has no problem recalling that meeting. “It was the kindest thing anyone had done for me.”
Even though he knew that Blumenthal was lying to him in that conversation about having been to Vietnam, Hine said he did not challenge him because of the generous offer he made to help his daughter. When Blumenthal ran for attorney general the first time 20 years ago, Hine said he researched him and knew then that Blumenthal never left the states.
But after the New York Times last month broke the story that Blumenthal had lied at several events about having served in Vietnam, Hine said he began thinking about making his conversation public.
And when Blumenthal claimed that his statements about serving in Vietnam were simply slips of the tongue, Hine said he could no longer keep quiet.
“Enough was enough,” Hines told me. “That he misspoke is crap.”
Almost two weeks ago he sent copies of a letter to numerous newspapers, including the Hartford Courant, New Haven Register, New York Times, and New Britain Herald as well as to blogger Don Pesci of Red Notes From A Blue State. Only Pesci used his letter, which did not identify him as an assistant attorney general.
New Britain Herald Executive Editor James Smith said his newspaper published the letter in today’s edition. It was also published today by the New Haven Register. The New York Times is expected to publish its story Wednesday and several television stations interviewed Hine today, who took the day off from work.
Hine said Tuesday that no one from Blumenthal’s inner circle talked to him about his letter or his interview with me.
“They know better,” Hine said Tuesday.
Later Tuesday Hine was interviewed by several newspapers including the New York Times, Washington Post, the New Britain Herald and the Bristol Press.
Hine was interviewed at his home, where his car sports an Obama as well as a Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon stickers. But then his parents were also split, one was a Republican and the other a Democrat.
“Surrounded by the mementos of his own life as a Marine, Hine said what Blumenthal did went against the code of being a Marine,” according to the Herald/Press Internet account.
“As a Marine, you don’t lie,” he said. “He has forgotten whatever he learned at Parris Island.”
The following his Hine’s letter:
Richard Reeves Hine
New Britain, CT 60053
A Marine’s Apology to Vietnam Veterans and their Families
I have known Richard Blumenthal for over twenty years. Dick Blumenthal completed “boot camp” at Marine Corp Recruiting Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. The training is rigid and puts stress and strain on the recruits mentally and physically. It is no picnic.
When you graduate, you become a member of the world’s most elite fighting force and you have earned the right to call yourself a “Marine.” I was a Judge Advocate at Paris Island alternating from defense counsel to trial counsel and Individual Military Counsel in the late 1970’s. I congratulate Dick Blumenthal for his service, stamina and courage in challenging himself to become a Marine.
When I was called up for Desert Storm from the Reserves, Dick took time to talk to me about the challenges I might be facing. He knew my young daughter Allison from meeting her and talking to her numerous times. He also knew my marriage to Allison’s mother was falling apart. Dick gave me his private phone number to call if I needed help or assistance. He told me to give Allison his private number and to have him call her if she was ever scared or worried about me.
Allison was and is today the “apple of my eye.”
Prior to my leaving for Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where I was a Company Commander and the Officer in Charge of Retrograde, Allison sat with me and both of us were interviewed by Channel 8, Channel 3, the New Haven Register, and the North Haven Post. All the reporters were amazed by her poise, intelligence and composure. She was very scared. The world as she knew it was falling apart and I was going.
Alison never called Dick. His act of kindness and compassion to my daughter and me I will never forget, and I am deeply indebted to him for life. We then talked about my possibly going to Iraq if the war went poorly. We then discussed the separation from family and employment, and we agreed I would be with my fellow Marines and friends. He then said, you’re a Major, and so it will be a little different for you than it was for me as an enlisted Marine in Vietnam. I was appalled and shocked, because I knew he had not been to Vietnam, yet just a moment before he had helped to console my daughter in an unsolicited act of kindness.
I have been torn for twenty years about that conversation and what it tells me about his character.
Periodically, I would hear him repeat the statement that he served in Vietnam. He didn’t “misspeak” or “misstate” to me face-to-face twenty years ago and he hasn’t to veterans and the press in subsequent years – he lied.
As a Major, Judge Advocate USMCR I want to apologize for Sergeant Richard Blumenthal to all the Vietnam era service members, their mothers and fathers and all their loved ones.
The blood of our service members soaked the rice paddies of Vietnam, we lost tens of thousands of our young and tens of thousands of other service members come home injured psychologically and physically.
I apologize to all that are living and offer my prayers to those who have left us.
I was at Officers’ Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia for part of the Vietnam War. I also received an education deferment to finish college and an education deferment to finish law school. During Desert Storm, I never left Camp Lejeune for Iraq. I don’t claim to have been overseas for either war, but if I did I would be dishonoring the integrity that my grandparents, parents and mentors taught me, and that I have zealously protected my whole life.
“Misstatements,” “misspeaking” are what politicians claim when they get caught lying. Dick lied to me at the same time he was compassionate. You decide. It took me twenty years to decide.
SEMPER FIDELIS
Richard R. Hine
Major USMCR
Judge Advocate
Let it go, George. Not as big a story as you think it is.
The size of the story is in the eye of the beholder. When the AG actually apologizes for lying, I will let it go.
I had been a staunch supporter of AG Blumenthal. When he “misstated” about his Vietnam service I knew it was an untruth to get votes, and I became disappointed in him. Seems minor to most of my non veteran friends, but to a veteran it is a clear cut false statement. I served in the Navy, attached to a reconnaissance squadron aboard the carrier Kitty Hawk in the Gulf of Tonkin. Although I never set foot on Vietnam soil, I am considered a Vietnam War Vet for having served in the Combat Zone from ’70 – ’74, yet I am still very careful not to state that I was “in” Vietnam. I was lucky enough to be on board a ship, rather than in the swamps and jungle. I would like to hear from the AG why he misstated, the apology is not as important to me.
Since when is lying not a big deal or story? Are we so used to politicians lying that we don’t care anymore? How sad!
Obviously, you are a Democrat. Lying is not an important thing especially when it comes to “Stolen Valor” in you eyes. You are symbolic of what’s wrong with America. We deserve leaders who are honorable and trustworthy. We should not have to settle for me like AG Blumenthal who wrap themselves in the blood clothes of those who died in Vietnam serving their country. He ever was a US Marine at heart, he would have resigned long ago.
While maintaining a presumption that this letter is honest and motivated by what he says motivated it, can you ask him his political persuasion, whether it influenced him so he can say yes or no to that, and of his political party, if he is very involved in it or not, whether he donates to campaigns or not, whether he is close to Lieberman or other political/party leaders and so on? Want to know more. This is an election season.
Whether or not one believes his story, it is both embarassing and infuriating that Mr. Hines would send his accounting to numerous local CT media outlets and none of them would cover the story. This is not some random Joe off the street here.
Exactly how deep into the Blumenthal tank is the CT media?
Dear World, RB was a great friend to me and my family in time of personal need. Oh, and he’s a lying pig, too. Love, RH.
Where’s the fact checking / substantiation for this story? Hine is a Republican. The fact that he gave Dodd $1k means nothing, particularly since Dodd is no Blumenthal.
What fact checking is missing?
I have little sympathy for Dick Blumenthal, who seems to have taken great pains to make the bed he now lays in. However, I’m taking this one with a grain of salt. This claim is being made by a former subordinate who very well may have an ax to grind with his former boss; he also does not provide specifics and asks you to trust his version of events that occurred years ago.
I think you may missed a critical element, Atty Major Hine is a PRESENT employee of Dick Blumenthal’s, not former.
Well from what I read Blumenthal isn’t deying it is he?
Even though I disapprove of Blumenthal’s lying about his service and believe it is relevant as to his seeking higher office, Hine’s letter leaves me cold. His reasons for keeping silent all these years are immaterial and show him as being willing to let another dishonor the Corps. This appears to be someone ‘piling on’ and again shows Hines as having as little honor as Blumenthal.
If Blumenthal had any honor he would withdraw from the race but as we see, he’s issued the standard politician’s weaseling apology and is trying to ignore his blatant lying for the purpose of self-aggrandizement. Shame on him and shame on Hines for keeping silent.
I don’t live in Connecticut. It appears to be a wonderful state with many bright and successful people. You produced a wonderful Joe Liberman. But Chris Dodd is a poster boy for what is wrong the US financially. No one deserves more blame than Dodd for the financial crisis. Now comes Blumenthal whose entire career screams “Chris Dodd Repeat”. Blumenthal appears to be a liar, a opportunist and a pretty incompetent office holder to date. He might not even rise to the Chris Dodd level!
The citizens of Conn deserve better than Blumentahl. The country deserves better from a state with so many talented and honest people. Please do not send this man to the Senate.
I guess since we all dislike Mr. Blumenthal for his false statements but having served in Vietnam we will have to vote for Linda McMahon. Hmm, great choice for Senator. No political background, just experienced with so called professional wrestlers. Think I will stick with Mr. Blumenthal. If the veterans can forgive him, so can I.
After disgraces like Dodd and now apparently Blumenthal, your knock on Linda McMahon is “no political background”?
Wow.
“No political background”?
You must be kidding! We are being fleeced by people with political background!
I’ll take business experience over political experience everytime.
If Frank likes being fleeced by politically experienced politicians, so be it. I think he needs to put his political bias away and take an opportunity to help our State and Country get back on track! Stop being a victim of these carrier political crooks.
Hey Frank,
McMahon has “no political background.” Two words for ya’; Barak Obama and how’s that been working out? Yeah, I thought so.
One would think that a rational citizenry looks for integrity in the people it elects to office. Blumenthal’s lying about serving in Vietnam is symptomatic of character flaw and or mental illness. People who vote for him will likely be afflicted similarly.
Are there any honorable voters in Conn.?
We will find out at the ballot box.
Hopefully we’re not so cynical so as to allow this level of dishonesty into high office. I know, I know, but it’s not too late to reverse course. If we don’t, trust me – all will be lost.
Hine should have called him on it but I think I can understand from a lower perspective. I am an Army Viet Nam vet – Mobile Riverine Force, Mekong Delta, 1967 – I have heard over the years more than one person puport to have done this and that in Viet Nam and even though I knew it was complete nonsense, I didn’t call them on it because it really was of no consequence. Blumenthal’s situation is different. He has lied to the people of his state and the people who elected him to a sensitive position. There are two failures in this story. Besides, Hine seems a little old to be a Major. I know, off topic.
Enough is Enough!!! If this issue what is supposed to get Lynda elected we as a country are in trouble. This women lived her life sacraficing men, women, and children in her dirty way of making a dollar. You can take a cat out of the sewer,but you cant take the sewer out of the cat.
Enough is Enough!!! If this issue what is supposed to get Linda elected we as a country are in trouble. This women lived her life sacraficing men, women, and children in her dirty way of making a dollar. You can take a cat out of the sewer,but you cant take the sewer out of the cat.