Scott Lee Cohen, Lt Gov candidate

[Buzzard]

This is really starting to look like our election to win!

 

 

New questions in '05 arrest of Democratic lt. gov. nominee

 

February 3, 2010 11:05 PM

UPDATED STORY

chicagobreakingnews.com

 

The newly minted Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor said Wednesday that he doesn't think a 2005 domestic battery arrest should hurt the party's chances in the fall general election, although records in the case raise questions about his version of events.

 

Scott Lee Cohen, a pawnbroker who poured millions of dollars into his surprise victory in the little-publicized contest among half a dozen candidates, had previously disclosed the arrest.

 

He described it Wednesday as an argument with his drunken girlfriend and said he didn't lay a hand on her, though she called the police and had him taken into custody.

 

But the official police and court records on the October 2005 incident show the woman alleged Cohen put a knife to her throat and pushed her head against the wall.

 

Public records show that the woman, his 24-year-old girlfriend at the time, pleaded guilty to prostitution that same month.

 

The misdemeanor charges against Cohen were later dropped when the woman did not show up in court. Through a spokesman, Cohen on Wednesday denied the woman's allegations that he physically assaulted her and used a knife.

 

But the new disclosures added another element of unrest to a roiled political landscape after Tuesday's primary elections, which left the outcome of the Democratic and Republican nominations for governor in doubt.

 

Candidates for Illinois governor and lieutenant governor run separately in the primary but as a team in the general election -- a quirk in state law that has led to strange political marriages in the past and one notable disaster for Democrats. In 1986, Democratic governor candidate Adlai Stevenson III bolted the party after primary voters paired him with a lieutenant governor candidate who was an acolyte of political extremist Lyndon LaRouche. Stevenson lost the general election.

 

The job has been described as the most boring office in state government and its occupants rarely have a meaningful role in policymaking. But the post took on new importance last year when Democrat Pat Quinn, the two-time running mate of Rod Blagojevich, ascended to the top job after Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges, impeached and ousted from office in January.

 

Quinn, who still led in a close race with rival Dan Hynes, spent little time Wednesday morning discussing the background of the man who would be his running mate for the November election. But he, too, seemed impressed with the job fairs that Cohen has touted in broadcast ads that blanketed Chicago airwaves.

 

"I think he's had jobs fairs all over," Quinn said. "I look forward to anybody who wants to get the economy moving again and good jobs for Illinois. ... Anyone committed to that is OK with me."

 

Later in the day, when informed of the details of the court records, Quinn was more cautious.

 

"I think it's important that he explain exactly what went on there," Quinn said. "I'm anxious to hear that."

 

Quinn called the allegations in the police report "troubling" but said he was not aware of any attempts to get Cohen off the ballot.

 

"I think any candidate, when questions come up, needs to be forthright and answer any and all questions," Quinn said.

 

In their Oct. 14, 2005, arrest report detailing the complaint, Chicago police noted they observed "mild abrasions from knife wound" on her neck. They also noted "minor scars on her hand from her trying to defend herself against the arrestee swinging the knife at her." The report notes the woman was seen by ambulance personnel but not taken to a hospital.

 

Six months before the October 2005 incident, the woman had been arrested after a police investigation of a Glenview massage parlor. She later pleaded guilty to a charge of prostitution.

 

Through a spokesman Cohen said he did not know at the time that the woman was a prostitute and that she had told him she worked as a massage therapist.

 

Cohen's spokesman pointed to the fact that the case was dropped as evidence that the complaint was baseless.

 

"These are accusations of what she says happened, but that is not what happened," said campaign spokesman Phil Molfese.

 

Molfese said he doubted the marks on the woman's neck that were noted by the arresting officers could have been made by a knife, and Cohen stands by his claim that he did not touch the woman.

 

"Those abrasions, we don't know where they came from," Molfese said.

 

The woman could not be reached for comment.

 

Cohen, a political novice who owns a South Side pawnshop, sat down for an interview with the Tribune early Wednesday afternoon, during which he characterized the incident as an argument in which she was drunk and made allegations.

 

"I was going through a horrible time in my life and I got involved with the wrong crowd, and there was a tumultuous relationship," Cohen said before he was confronted with the full details of the police report.

 

After the Tribune obtained the arrest report later in the day and contacted the campaign about the discrepancies, Cohen was unavailable.

 

Molfese also acknowledged that Cohen paid off a six-figure federal tax lien during the campaign. He attributed the unpaid taxes to business being "up and down." Cohen used the sale of a Loop office to pay off the lien and finance his campaign, Molfese said.

 

Tribune reporters Monique Garcia and Ray Gibson contributed to this report.

 

--David Heinzmann and Ray Long

[Ashrak]

Are Dems trying to see how for they can push the envelope or are they trying to lose on purpose?

[CCR74]

I'm sure that there will be a lot of people on the Dem side putting up a fuss for this guy to step down (aside).

 

Later,

Chris

[pyre400]

They'll just come up with a cute pet name like they have done for others. i.e. "the first black president"

 

Some people dont care about morals (read that as most). Otherwise half of our politicians would not be "politicians". Its pretty disgusting actually.

[gravyboy77]

Could have worked out any better than this! There is no way this guy is going to back out after spending millions of his own dollars on his campaign.

 

We now have a sitting govenor that just barely won the primary, that is going to be forced to run with a sleezy pawnbroker, woman beating scumbag as his liutenant govenor on the Democratic ticket.

 

Meanwhile we are trying to sort out who won the election on the republican side between two Pro-gun candidates.

 

I hope that the Republicans use the same tactics the Dems used agaist Palin, after all Scott Lee Cohen is one "heartbeat" away from the govenorship.

 

Here we go!

 

My link

Gov. Quinn urges Scott Lee Cohen to drop out of race over abuse history

 

Febuary 4, 2010

WIRE and STAFF REPORTS

 

CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he expects Scott Lee Cohen ultimately will have to step down as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor over charges that he once abused his girlfriend.

 

Quinn called Thursday for Cohen to answer all questions about his 2005 arrest for domestic battery. But Quinn says he thinks Cohen will end up dropping out of the race.

 

Illinois voters choose the nominees for governor and lieutenant governor separately. Quinn and Cohen did not campaign together, but now they make up the Democratic ticket. Quinn says he learned of the allegations after Tuesday’s election.

 

Cohen -- a pawnbroker who shocked state Democratic leaders Tuesday night by winning the party's nomination for lieutenant governor -- was arrested about four-and-a-half years ago and accused of holding a knife to a former live-in girlfriend's neck, newly obtained court records show.

 

The misdemeanor charge against Cohen was dropped weeks later when the woman -- who had just been found guilty of prostitution -- failed to show up to testify, according to those records.

[Ashrak]

 

I hope that the Republicans use the same tactics the Dems used agaist Palin, after all Scott Lee Cohen is one "heartbeat" away from the govenorship.

 

Quinn might view that situation as job security were he to win. After all, he knows what a stepping stone that office can be.....

[Buzzard]

I'm sure that there will be a lot of people on the Dem side putting up a fuss for this guy to step down (aside).

 

Later,

Chris

You're right. Sounds like it's already happening!

[cowboyflyfisher]

I love infighting among dems!

[Buzzard]

I love infighting among dems!

 

Now Quinn is asking Cohen to step down....

 

and Cohen is saying "NO WAY!!"

[Buzzard]

Quinn hints at replacement for running mate

 

By John Patterson and Joseph Ryan

dailyherald.com

 

Never once calling his running mate by name, Gov. Pat Quinn said lieutenant governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen needs to answer questions about his past or get off the ticket.

 

At a news conference ostensibly called to respectfully accept the concession of Democratic challenger Dan Hynes in the race for governor, Quinn instead found himself facing a barrage of questions about Cohen, a Chicago pawnbroker once arrested for domestic battery, though the charges were later dropped.

 

Quinn said he'd spoken this morning with House Speaker and Illinois Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan about Cohen and indicated forces were at work behind the scenes.

 

"That matter will be resolved properly," Quinn said. "I really don't believe this issue will be with us much longer."

 

Madigan's spokesman had not returned a message.

 

Cohen could not immediately be reached for comment. He's explained the 2005 incident as part of a "tumultuous relationship."

 

"Unfortunately, I was going through a divorce, and I found myself running with the wrong people," Cohen told the Daily Herald on Wednesday. "I got involved with a young lady. It was a tumultuous relationship, to say the least.

 

"We had a fight. She accused me of doing something I never did. It was a false allegation. She never went to court and the case was dismissed."

 

Cohen has disputed that his past will in anyway hinder Quinn's campaign, a view not shared by the governor. He said anything that districts from public debate, "your obligation is to step aside."

 

Quinn and Cohen did not campaign together in the primary, in which voters separately pick governor and lieutenant governor nominees. But in the general election the nominees are paired on the ballot, regardless of whether they run as a team.

 

The lieutenant governor post has essentially no official duties outside of filling in for the governor should he die, quit or get kicked out of office. That's exactly how Quinn became governor, following the impeachment and ouster of Rod Blagojevich last year.

 

Quinn said he personally did not learn of Cohen's background until Wednesday. One of Cohen's challengers - Waukegan state Sen. Terry Link - said his campaign reached out weeks ago to both the campaigns of Quinn and Hynes to warn them trouble lurked if Cohen won.

 

Quinn again said he didn't personally know of Cohen's past before the elections and Hynes declined to answer such questions following his concession speech.

 

In his emotional concession, Hynes said he would fully support Quinn and didn't regret a thing about his campaign.

 

"There is nothing I think I could have done more. There is nothing I wish I did more," Hynes said during a news conference in Chicago.

 

Hynes' concession comes two days after the primary election in which the two Democratic candidates for their party's governor nomination came within about 8,000 votes out of about 900,000 cast.

 

It means that Quinn now is the official Democratic candidate and will face whoever becomes the final winner of the even tighter Republican race, where state Sens. Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard are two top two candidates with just hundreds of votes separating them. A recount may decide the outcome, but that will take weeks if not months.

 

Quinn faces some challenges ahead, beyond the fiscal crisis that the state of Illinois is in. He will now run on a ticket with lieutenant governor candidate Scott Lee Cohen, a Chicago pawnbroker who was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery in 2005 _ charges that were dropped. Quinn did not choose Cohen; state law matches the two on one ticket after the election.

 

Quinn welcomed Hynes' announcement, saying that now that the primary is over, "like a family, we put aside our differences and come together for things we truly believe in."

 

Describing Hynes as an intelligent, committed public servant, Quinn thanked him for his pledge of support.

 

Meanwhile, Hynes said he fought hard and was proud of that.

 

"We rose up and fell just a little short. If democracy means anything, it means that the campaign with the most votes wins. We did the right thing. We waited for all the votes to be counted," he said.

 

And Quinn, he said, is the man that Illinois needs now.

 

After so much turmoil, conflict and strife (in Illinois), let us choose peace. And to the victor goes our compliments and our support. I've called Gov. Quinn and congratulated him on his victory and I've pledged my complete support."

 

Despite some disagreements with Quinn, Hynes said the governor has a "basic decency" that is vitally needed today. "I've never doubted the governor's commitment to the people of Illinois. ... Illinois needs him to continue as governor. ... I look forward to working with him in the weeks and months to come as comptroller."

 

Of criticism of Quinn as incompetent during the campaign, Hynes said, "Words get heated and it was a fierce debate."

 

While thanking his campaign staff, family and his wife, Hynes had to pause for several seconds as he tried to muster the words to do so.

 

As far as his political future, he said he'll finish off his term as comptroller, which ends in January 2011, and wouldn't speculate beyond that.

 

Meanwhile, on the Republican side, Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady has predicted it could take some time for a final outcome.

 

If a recount were to take place in that race, it could not even begin until after March 5, when the vote becomes official. One of the candidates would have to start the process by making a formal request to the clerk of the Illinois Supreme Court, along with $10,000.

[Ashrak]

Distracts from the public debate?

This issue being publicly debated distracts from the public debate? Huh?

 

Sounds like someone else I know.

[Buzzard]

Quinn said he'd spoken this morning with House Speaker and Illinois Democratic Party

Chairman Michael Madigan about Cohen and indicated forces were at work behind the scenes.

 

"That matter will be resolved properly," Quinn said. "I really don't believe this issue will be with us much longer."

 

Madigan's spokesman had not returned a message.

 

Cohen could not immediately be reached for comment.

 

Meanwhile....somewhere in the Democrat's war room....

 

"Take us to Defcon 1!!"

[THE KING]

A CHICAGO PAWN BROKER

 

What else needs to be said

[abolt243]

If you care at all about the soap opera that is Illinois politics, you gotta go read the Capitol Fax Blog and catch up on the goings on with the new Democrat candidate for Lt. Gov. Steroid, divorce, hooker/girl friends, knives, felony arrests, orders of protection, ex-wife claiming all is true, lots of back child support owed, brother sues for $200K, and on and on. And they elected this guy to be a heart beat away from the gov's chair.

 

The "tin foilers" say that it's all a ploy to get Mike Madigan's guy "Art Turner" into the slot. Others say it's just a lack of vetting by party leaders (read MJM). Whatever it is, it makes for great reading. Several threads at CFB on the subject. Enough to keep you busy until the guys/gals get busy in the State House next week!!

 

And the election is still 9 months away!!

 

AB

[1957Human]

If you care at all about the soap opera that is Illinois politics, you gotta go read the Capitol Fax Blog and catch up on the goings on with the new Democrat candidate for Lt. Gov. Steroid, divorce, hooker/girl friends, knives, felony arrests, orders of protection, ex-wife claiming all is true, lots of back child support owed, brother sues for $200K, and on and on. And they elected this guy to be a heart beat away from the gov's chair.

 

The "tin foilers" say that it's all a ploy to get Mike Madigan's guy "Art Turner" into the slot. Others say it's just a lack of vetting by party leaders (read MJM). Whatever it is, it makes for great reading. Several threads at CFB on the subject. Enough to keep you busy until the guys/gals get busy in the State House next week!!

 

And the election is still 9 months away!!

 

AB

 

 

Illinois has corrupt politicians because the majority of Illinois voters don't care they're corrupt. Like Mike Ryoko said, the State motto is "Where's mine?"

[pyre400]

If you care at all about the soap opera that is Illinois politics, you gotta go read the Capitol Fax Blog and catch up on the goings on with the new Democrat candidate for Lt. Gov. Steroid, divorce, hooker/girl friends, knives, felony arrests, orders of protection, ex-wife claiming all is true, lots of back child support owed, brother sues for $200K, and on and on. And they elected this guy to be a heart beat away from the gov's chair.

 

The "tin foilers" say that it's all a ploy to get Mike Madigan's guy "Art Turner" into the slot. Others say it's just a lack of vetting by party leaders (read MJM). Whatever it is, it makes for great reading. Several threads at CFB on the subject. Enough to keep you busy until the guys/gals get busy in the State House next week!!

 

And the election is still 9 months away!!

 

AB

 

 

Illinois has corrupt politicians because the majority of Illinois voters don't care they're corrupt. Like Mike Ryoko said, the State motto is "Where's mine?"

 

+1 ...Gotta go. Blago is on apprentice!

[1957Human]

Remember that FBI Special Agent in Blagojevich's case who said "If Illinois isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's one heck of a competitor"? No question now who's number one. Another fine feather in the cap of this great State of Illinois, esp. for the our Democrats, who just nominated a violence-prone, drug-addicted, deadbeat pawn merchant as their Lt. Gov. candidate. Guess they couldn't find a guy who was also a pimp. For just good old-fashioned entertainment, Illinois politics puts reality TV to shame.

 

We should be prepared for his winning Lt Gov. If history holds, and if the Quinn/Cohen tickets does win, it won't be long 'til Quinn's convicted of a felony of some sort and Cohen is our next Governor. Anyone know his position on legal concealed carry?

[Yas]

Perhaps the Democratic party should start doing background and citizenship checks on its candidates? Heck both parties should be doing this.....

[Silver Guardian]

Perhaps the Democratic party should start doing background and citizenship checks on its candidates? Heck both parties should be doing this.....

 

You mean you'd want to trade the excitement and drama? Do you really want to live in a world where there are no corrupt politicians? Then who would entertain us and serve as an example for us to do better? I can just imagine the slow news days in some other places...

 

The mayor of las vegas was seen with a prostitute... that wouldn't be breaking news.

 

Lousiana Representative photographed performing voodoo ritual...that wouldn't be shocking.

 

San Francisco City Council sex tape discovered...ok now I'm reaching, but it wouldn't be too far out there.

 

Nah, I think I like having some entertainment value in my leaders.

[Kenny]

Perhaps the Democratic party should start doing background and citizenship checks on its candidates? Heck both parties should be doing this.....

 

You mean you'd want to trade the excitement and drama? Do you really want to live in a world where there are no corrupt politicians? Then who would entertain us and serve as an example for us to do better? I can just imagine the slow news days in some other places...

 

The mayor of las vegas was seen with a prostitute... that wouldn't be breaking news.

 

Lousiana Representative photographed performing voodoo ritual...that wouldn't be shocking.

 

San Francisco City Council sex tape discovered...ok now I'm reaching, but it wouldn't be too far out there.

 

Nah, I think I like having some entertainment value in my leaders.

 

So elect a movie star!!

 

Oh wait we did that once & he was one of the best presidents we ever had!!! Hmmmm maybe you are on to something Silver!!!

[DoYouFeelLucky]

You would've thunk that someone at some time would of sat back and wondered if putting this guy on the ballot was a good idea? Of course he's still out and running free, and that seems to be the main criteria to be a politician in IL!

[templar223]

http://wwwimage.cbsnews.com/images/2010/02/04/image6173547x.jpg

 

(Cute pic. Must be his chick magnet photo from Hot or Not.)

 

 

 

NEW YORK (CBS) Scott Lee Cohen, millionaire pawnbroker and Democratic candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor, said he isn't worried one bit about a 2005 arrest for allegedly threatening his then girlfriend with a knife, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Nor did he seem fazed that his 24-year-old former lover was a prostitute. Cohen, through a spokesman, said he thought she was a massage therapist, according to the paper. She pled guilty to a prostitution charge the same month she accused Cohen of putting a knife to her throat.

 

The paper claims that in a 2005 arrest report, police said they observed "mild abrasions from a knife wound" and "minor scars on her hand from trying to defend herself against the arrestee swinging the knife at her."

 

True?

 

Campaign spokesman Phil Molfese told the paper, "These are accusations of what she says happened, but that is not what happened." The case was eventually dropped, he said.

 

As for Cohen, he told the Chicago Tribune, "I was going through a horrible time in my life and I got involved with the wrong crowd, and there was a tumultuous relationship."

 

Perhaps, but will the Illinois voters see it that way?

[pyre400]

You would've thunk that someone at some time would of sat back and wondered if putting this guy on the ballot was a good idea? Of course he's still out and running free, and that seems to be the main criteria to be a politician in IL!

 

The ultimate IL politician doesn't even live here:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Traficant

 

That freak'n guy ran a campaign from prison LOL

 

Traficant ran as an independent candidate for another term in the House while incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institute, Allenwood.^[18] He received 15 percent of the vote (27,487 votes) and became one of only a handful of individuals in the history of the United States to run for a federal office from prison.

 

 

Its a good thing they impeached Blago. He'd probably be still "in office", serving time at Marion,while winning the democratic primary, and on his way to his 3rd term.

 

I think IL politics was summed up in one timeless phrase, "this thing is f---ing golden!"

[Don Gwinn]

The GOP should make a huge deal out of how they shunned Al Martin and essentially threw him out of the race (though he was on the official ballot and there was nothing they could do about that) after his antics against Kirk in the Senate primary. They should point out the contrast every time Cohen's name comes up, even if he steps down.

[Bill Matio]

According to the Gospel of John, the Pharisees, in an attempt to discredit Jesus, brought a woman charged with adultery before him.

 

Then they reminded Jesus that adultery was punishable by stoning under Mosaic law and challenged him to judge the woman so that they might then accuse him of disobeying the law.

 

Jesus thought for a moment and then replied, "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her."

 

The people crowded around him were so touched by their own consciences that they departed.

 

When Jesus found himself alone with the woman, he asked her who were her accusers. She replied, "No man, lord." Jesus then said, "Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more."

 

According to Mr. Cohen, all of these allegations were brought up when he originally decided to run for office.

 

Now a big deal is being made. Let the Dem's hang themselves if they wish. Bottom line, he was elected in the primary.

[Buzzard]

According to the Gospel of John, the Pharisees, in an attempt to discredit Jesus, brought a woman charged with adultery before him.

 

Then they reminded Jesus that adultery was punishable by stoning under Mosaic law and challenged him to judge the woman so that they might then accuse him of disobeying the law.

 

Jesus thought for a moment and then replied, "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her."

 

The people crowded around him were so touched by their own consciences that they departed.

 

When Jesus found himself alone with the woman, he asked her who were her accusers. She replied, "No man, lord." Jesus then said, "Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more."

 

According to Mr. Cohen, all of these allegations were brought up when he originally decided to run for office.

 

Now a big deal is being made. Let the Dem's hang themselves if they wish. Bottom line, he was elected in the primary.

 

This is no different than Obama's rise to the presidency. There was the birth certificate question, having performed work for ACORN, Jeremiah Wright's radical church, his friendship with Bill Ayers, his background and records locked away, a short, lackluster senate career - all these things were brought into question before he was elected. And yet - democrats rejoiced in his nomination and his charisma. It was all about winning. That's all it ever is. Winning - that's all that matters to democrats. Otherwise, how could they nominate such people?

[Xwing]

And yet - democrats rejoiced in his nomination and his charisma. It was all about winning. That's all it ever is. Winning - that's all that matters to democrats. Otherwise, how could they nominate such people?

Yes. But it's the job of everyone with an ounce of common sense to show Mr. Cohen for the criminal slime ball he really is, and make sure Jason Plummer is elected instead! With that kind of record, we certainly have enough ammo…

[Buzzard]

We're sorry: Media let voters down in lt. gov. race

 

February 5, 2010

By DENISE CROSBY

 

**Edited for brevity**

 

All I can say is mea culpa. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa.

 

We here in the media -- in spite of all our crusading, editorializing and watchdog reporting -- blew it big time by letting a pretty important race fall through the cracks on Tuesday.

 

And I'm so very sorry we did.

 

Scott Lee Cohen, a pawnbroker with a GED who was arrested for allegedly beating up his prostitute girlfriend a few years ago, is now sitting in the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket.

 

Yet we've just put him on the ballot right behind the governor who happens to be running our fair state only because his own former No. 1 is, in addition to becoming quite skilled at applying studio makeup, awaiting trial on federal corruption charges.

 

I suppose we can point the finger at voters who went to the ballots and checked off Cohen's name simply because they repeatedly heard it touting job fairs on reality show commercials. We can even throw the dunce hat on his opponents who didn't do their homework and blast this guy's credentials to smithereens.

 

But the blame also has to point back at us. We in the media, after all, are staking our future on that noble mission of providing readers all the information they must have to make wise and informed decisions.

 

Scott Cohen, I'm thinking, does not reflect a wise and informed decision.

 

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown admits he knew about at least some of Cohen's past because the candidate voluntarily disclosed the arrest in an interview. But Brown cast him off as a nut case with little chance of winning, then buried the really juicy stuff deep in the story.

 

And we media-types in the 'burbs didn't write boo about the guy -- or Plummer, either -- because we were too busy focusing on the governor's race, as well as some interesting local battles.

 

Nobody cared. Nobody paid attention.

 

 

Article

 

==========================================================================

 

What a load of crap!! If you've suddenly found your conscience, why not apologize for not exposing Barack Obama?

"...crusading, editorializing and watchdog reporting" Who do you think you're trying to fool?

 

All you're sorry for is your pawn broker perp has been exposed before he could be elected!

[gravyboy77]

 

And we media-types in the 'burbs didn't write boo about the guy -- or Plummer, either -- because we were too busy focusing on the governor's race, as well as some interesting local battles.

 

Notice that the liberal media slips Plummer in there? even though there is nothing bad with him.

[gravyboy77]

This is good! I was hoping that Kass would jump on this:

 

My link

Knives come out in Pawnbroker's saga

John Kass

February 5, 2010

 

What's with the mad rush to judgment against Illinois' hottest political celebrities, the Pawnbroker and his ex-girlfriend, the Hooker?

 

Leading Democrats and some in the media are in a frenzy, demanding the head of the Pawnbroker, Scott Lee Cohen, the Democratic nominee for the office of lieutenant governor.

 

And now because he once had a hooker girlfriend he still insists she was a "massage therapist" and because of a domestic battery charge that was dropped, the inquisitors want the Pawnbroker off the ticket.

 

But I say, "Whoa, Nellie!"

 

Not so fast, my friends. Why become a lynch mob? In the name of decency, fairness not to mention the requirements of columnists let's take it easy here.

 

The Pawnbroker doesn't seem to be one of those free-spending Democrats. He's more a pay-as-you-go kind of guy, both with $2 million in radio ads and the massage that started it all.

 

"I assure you. I never touched the woman, I never tried to cut her throat," Cohen said in an interview Thursday on " Chicago Tonight." "I never knew her as a prostitute. She was a massage therapist."

 

Host Phil Ponce asked, with great dignity: How did you meet her?

 

"In a massage therapy place," Cohen said, adding that there was nothing sexual about the therapy.

 

There's absolutely no evidence that President Barack Obama is worried about this prickly local drama. But anybody who watches "24" knows that the president probably received updates downloaded to his PDA in real time. That's because the November elections in Illinois are deemed critical to Obama's Democratic majority in the Senate. And all I heard Thursday from Democratic operatives is that this Pawnbroker-Hooker thing will kill the ticket.

 

"I consider these very, very serious and grave matters," said the Pawnbroker's running mate, Gov. Patrick Quinn, who, with a pained look on his face, made it clear he wants Cohen to "step aside."

 

Democratic Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois treasurer, also wants the Pawnbroker gone.

 

"These are disturbing allegations," Giannoulias said in a statement. "Domestic abuse has no place in our society, much less in public office."

 

The politicians say they're horrified that Cohen was arrested in 2005, accused of putting a knife against the neck of the Hooker. She failed to appear in court, and the charge was dropped. They'll soon be reacting to new revelations that he was a steroid abuser and was accused of being a deadbeat dad.

 

But what the political class, from Chicago to the Beltway, is really worried about is the Hooker thing. They don't want to see exposes about the massage parlor industry on national television.

 

One such Chicago area spa has a Web site depicting gorgeous "body care hostesses" with names like Tiffany and Brandi. These dedicated professionals frolic on beaches, in wet bathing suits and high heels, and appear to have doctorates in gymnastics.

 

Democrats believe that a political leader who lived with a woman convicted of prostitution, knife or no knife, is a definite liability.

 

But does anyone remember Rose Laws?

 

Only a few years ago, Laws was one of Chicago's most famous madams. For decades she ran a mob-protected, high-end prostitution service catering to powerful men with big money, Republicans and Democrats.

 

Her clients included judges, lawyers, politicians, business leaders, sports owners, famed scientists and so on. A night could cost tens of thousands of dollars, and the legendary blonde Amazon known as "Inga" cost even more.

 

What shocked the Viagra out of political guys was that black book she kept, including client names and appetites.

 

The black book was seized by Chicago police in a raid. But this being Chicago, land of open government, the black book was dumped in a police warehouse and mysteriously lost.

 

Sadly, historians will never know which top politicians liked to dress up in furry squirrel suits and which ones insisted on the Bo Peep look.

 

In 2002, Laws was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison. The circuit's Outfit protector, Michael "Jaws" Giorango, was convicted of promoting a nationwide prostitution ring and sentenced to six months federal time.

 

Even before his last prison stay, Giorango had reinvented himself as a real estate investor.

 

He'd already been purchasing office buildings and renting space to politicians. His tenants included U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill.; now-retired state Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago, and state Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago. He also received $11 million in loans from the Giannoulias family's Broadway Bank. The loans to Jaws were approved by Alexi Giannoulias.

 

Giannoulias can't shake the Jaws business. Republicans keep targeting the loans in their ads.

 

So the Pawnbroker and the Hooker aren't the only problems facing Democrats. But even as the party prepares to peck him to death, Cohen is digging in his heels.

 

"I don't believe I'm an embarrassment to the ticket," he said Wednesday night. "From day one I've been honest and forthright."

 

So slow down, all you Pawnbroker bashers. Sure, the guy had that Hooker problem.

 

But Illinois politics has been so sad lately, doesn't even a pawnbroker deserve a happy ending?