WATCH: On Debate Stage, Zach Lahn Stands Behind Known Fraudster Derek Wulf
Lahn said Wulf “understood the struggles of farmers”
DES MOINES – During last night’s KTIV debate, Zach Lahn was asked directly why he picked known fraudster Derek Wulf as his running mate, and chose to fully embrace Wulf’s criminal investigation, predatory business practices, and theft and fraud accusations.
This comes after new reporting from the Des Moines Register and Iowa Starting Line revealed that Lahn’s campaign knew about Derek Wulf’s legal and financial scandals when he selected Wulf as his running mate, and possibly arranged a secret bailout to clear Wulf’s $540,000 debt. A donor to Lahn’s campaign formed an LLC in Illinois “specifically” to allow a mysterious Iowa lender to pay off Wulf’s debts just two weeks after Lahn’s staff promised the scandal was headed to a “swift resolution.”
Moderator: “Why is Derek Wulf the second best in your mind to take over?”
Lahn: “I was looking for somebody who understood agriculture, understood what was going on, understood the struggles of farmers.”
Moderator: “Should we both expect that you’ll be touring with your respective partner in these final couple weeks?”
Lahn: “We were just together yesterday.”
Wulf is also under criminal investigation and accused of stealing from and defrauding farmers, but Lahn thinks that makes him qualified to understand “the struggles of farmers.” Lahn has lied and claimed that Wulf is “not under criminal investigation” and refused multiple requests to tell Iowans who is paying Wulf’s debts.
From Iowa Democratic Party spokesperson Terra Hernandez:
“Zach Lahn embracing a known fraudster who is under criminal investigation as his running mate shows Iowans exactly how crooked his judgement and character are. Lahn must immediately come clean and tell Iowans who is paying off his running mate’s debts and what they’re getting in return.”
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