Man arrested for vandalism at Democratic HQ in Denver worked for left-leaning group

Tuesday, August 25 2009 15:53 | By Michael de Yoanna |

Maurice Schwenkler, the man apparently caught red-handed during a vandalism incident earlier today at Denver's Democratic Party headquarters, worked for the Colorado Citizens' Coalition, a group associated with labor and Democratic interests, according to campaign filings.

That detail is certain to shape speculation about whether Schwenkler's action was motived by politics. Some of the windows that were smashed bore health care reform posters and the nation is kinda touchy after all those heated town hall meetings, including at least one featuring a man exercising his right to carry an assault rifle.

Schwenkler's payment from the political nonprofit -- or "527" -- was small: $500 for the purpose of "communication," according to this filing with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office in 2008.

And without Schwenkler speaking, at the moment there's nothing to do but speculate. Perhaps Schwenkler is a left-winger angry that Democrats were wavering on the idea of the so-called "public option" in the health plan. Or maybe Schwenkler is a right-winger who successfully infiltratated the party through channels such as the coalition.

dscriber was unable to immediately locate any public records indicating Schwenkler's political party affiliation. And a contact person for the Colorado Citizens' Coalition didn't return a message to dscriber before deadline.

Maybe the 24-year-old Schwenkler is simply a vandal or would-be thief.

Schwenkler was dressed for the occasion. According to a police report, Schwenkler at "the time of arrest was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, a shirt covering his face, blue jeans and latex gloves."

UPDATE (AUG. 26): IS SCHWENKLER A TRANSGENDERED ACTIVIST? CLICK HERE TO READ...

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