Bob Walsh, Executive Director of the NEA RI, whom we all wish a speedy recovery from his procedure today, called in to the WPRO Dan Yorke Show yesterday morning. After clarifying that his “medical leave” involved a previously scheduled surgery and not a ploy to distract from the NEA’s travails, he went on to address the arrest of NEA RI Assistant Executive Director John Leidecker.

I can’t say too much about the incident, so to speak, other than I have great faith that John Leidecker on my staff [edit – or is that “and my staff”?] will be fully exonerated and this at best would be would be in the sophomoric prank category, not anything to do with communicating fraudulent information to voters. Most people in Representative Gablinske’s position laugh such things off. I mean, if I send you an e-mail, Dan, and said I was corresponding from Dan Yorke with a different name, you would probably laugh or be mildly annoyed. Instead, Representative Gablinske sends State Police officers to our office to pick up Mr. Leidecker’s computer, which seemed to be a bit excessive, but they’re just doing their job. …
But this will have its day in court. I have great faith that this matter will be disposed of and seen as frivolous on Representative Gablinske’s part.

What’s interesting here is that, rather than issuing a blanket denial or – more realistic – aver that he knows nothing about this matter, the Executive Director of the NEA RI, at four distinct points, attempts to play down or minimize the alleged activity.

sophomoric prank
laugh
a bit excessive
frivolous

It appears that we are past the question of culpability and on to damage control.