As stated above, no evidence directly links the alleged voter suppression to either Allen or his opponent senator-elect Jim Webb (D).

But even a cursory glance at Allen's 2006 campaign strategists reveals some brass-knuckle types, GOP operatives whose storied careers are practically field manuals for creatively subverting the democratic process. And despite decades of accusations, and a felony conviction or three, each new cycle finds their re-branded companies atop recipient lists of GOP cash.

The FBI has refused to confirm or deny the existence of its investigation in Virginia, despite Bureau spokesman Stephen Kodak's election day statement that agents were "reviewing reports that some voters received telephone calls directing them to the wrong polling places or discouraging them from voting." Similarly, the DoJ has declined comment.

But according to Jean Jensen, Secretary of the VA Board of Elections, it was the Justice Dept. who recommended the board issue their initial release stating that federal law enforcement had begun an investigation in VA. And the DoJ advised her to call the FBI.

As it turned out, a call proved unnecessary. An FBI special agent contacted Jensen first, having been alerted instead directly by the DoJ, as she was preparing the board's statement to the press.

In all, Jensen estimates that VA election officials throughout the commonwealth received about 20 complaints during the weekend prior to the election. When additional incidents emerged on Monday morning, Jensen and the board decided to report the allegations to federal authorities.

TEAM ALLEN




This interactive graphic is an attempt to show the complex, overlapping network of "voter contact" companies and key players paid by "Friends of George Allen," the senator's principal campaign committee. Though the image may seem overly complicated, it is nonetheless a bare bones representation -- many more well-worn names were left out than included. For those who prefer raw data, a complete list of companies, names, and addresses is at the bottom of this story.

Here, are a few, hopefully, helpful pointers:

• Pay close attention to addresses. Most, if not all of the companies shown, have claimed 2800 Shirilington Rd. Suite 900 or Suite 901 in Arlington, VA as their address.


• Also, note the 2401 W. Behrend Dr. Suite 7 is an Arizona address used by the DCI Group and for some of its shell companies, e.g. GPS Ventures, FLS Connect, and Progress for America Voter Fund


• Every company and person in this graphic has a direct business connection to the DCI Group. Members and associates of the DCI Group have repeatedly been caught push-polling and phone jamming for the better part of 3 decades. Note especially the ubiquitous Charles A. "Chip" Gately.


• Nearly every company and person in this graphic played a central role in creating the Swift Boat Vets. For instance, Ray Allen, Jr.'s Creative Direct rec'd over $1M from SBVT, using the same VA address as DCI Group lobbyist and SBVT lead media consultant Chris LaCivita.


• For this story, little was found about Randy Spradlin. However, his company America Direct rec'd more than $825K from the republican party during this campaign cycle.

Special thanks to wanderindiana and luaptifer for contributing to this story.

DATA DUMP
Team Allen

• Dick Wadhams, Campaign Manager
  
• Mary Matalin, Treasurer
  
• Janel Domenico, Finance Director
  
• Chris LaCivita, Senior Advisor '06, Campaign Mgr '00
  
• Richard L. Sharp, Treasurer Friends of George Allen
  
• Frank Sadler, Deputy Treasurer Friends of George Allen
  
• John McLaughlin, Pollster
  
• Ed Gillespie, Treasurer Good Government for America Committee

Additional salaried staff

• Sarah Walker
  
• Alethea Jefferies
  
• Matthew Wells
  
• Adam McDermott
  
• Melissa Burch (also works for Creative Direct)
  
• Garrett Moewe

The Lukens Company
2800 Shirlington Rd. Suite 900 (also uses "9th Floor")
Arlington, VA

• Walter G. Lukens, President
  
• Harry Dougherty, VP Finance
  
• Peter Pasi, Creative Director
  
• John Shaller
  
• Randy Spradlin, Director of Production
  
• Bessie Thibodeaux-Belcher

Pinnacle List Company
(subsidiary of The Lukens Co.)
2800 Shirlington Rd. Suite 970
Arlington, VA

• Holly Ruble
  
• Gabie Williams
  
• Anna Hargrave
  
• Jennifer McLaughlin

emotive, LLC
2800 Shirlington Rd. Suite 901 (also 900)
Arlington, VA

• Chip Gately, co-founder
  
• Walter Lukens, President, co-founder
  
• Matt Briney, VP
  
• Matthew Dybwad, Director of Creative Strategy
  
• Nicole Yamada, Senior Account Manager
  
• Kojo Duncan, Junior Web Production Specialist

Response Consulting
2800 Shirlington Rd. Suite 901
Arlington, VA

also
2401 W. Behrend Dr. Suite 7
Phoenix, AZ

• Chip Gately, founder, President
  
• Chip Lowry
  
• Bill Spence, Director of Strategy
  
• Annemarie Schneider
  
• Claudia Anton
  
• Leigh Ann Rogerson

GPS Ventures, dba in VA as DCI Direct
2800 Shirlington Rd. Suite 901 (also Suite 900)
Arlington, VA

also
DCI Direct, dba in AZ as GPS Ventures
2401 W. Behrend Dr. Suite 7
Phoenix, AZ

• Charles A. Gately
  
• Doug M. Goodyear
  
• Thomas J. Synhorst
  
• Christoper A. Holt
  
• Jack Padovano

America Direct
2800 Shirlington Rd. 9th Floor, c/o The Lukens Co.
Arlington, VA

also
1272 Corporate Park Dr.
Forest, VA
* Randy Spradlin

RST Marketing
1272 Corporate Park Dr.
Forest, VA

• Glen Thomas, President, CEO
  
• Jimmy Thomas, President, CEO
  
• Tony Grigsby, VP Data Processing
  
• Ellen Coleman, VP Human Resources
  
• Cathy Grigsby, Plant Manager

Creative Direct
4914 Fitzhugh Ave.
Midlothian, VA

• Ray Allen,Jr.
  
• Ron Butler
  
• Matt Williams
  
• Melissa Burch
  
• Greg Capelli
  
• Creighton Anders

Advancing Strategies
formerly known as
 LaCivita Consulting
4914 Fitzhugh Ave.
Midlothian, VA
*Chris LaCivita