Citizen Moroun is actually more generous, if that's the right word, than Tom Greenwood tallies today in this Detroit News 'Paper Chase' report on a document search.

While they applied a good instinct to shine light on the Ambassador Bridge owner's political activities, an e-visit to the same Michigan Secretary of State database yields a broader picture of donations by Matty, immediate kinfolk members and two bridge executives.

The PDF accompanying The News' report shows it's based on 49 Michigan Campaign Finance Contribution listings -- which tells just 35% of the influence-seeking story because results come from searches only on 'Moroun, M.J.' [47 hits] and 'Moroun, Manuel' [2].

But the state's database is as narrow-minded, literal and unforgiving as . . . well, as some people.

The paper's partial results don't reflect 18 donations attributed to M._J. Moroun or three by Mr. M.J. Moroun. [[Totals below.)

But wait, there's more: A 'Moroun' search without any first name shows a few dozen contributions -- many to the same candidates/PACs, often on same dates -- by wife Nora [[7 donations), son Matthew [[21), daughter Lindsay [[4) and sister Agnes [[6).

Why stop there? Let's toss in 7 gifts from bridge company president Dan Stamper and 5 by VP Mickey Blashfield [[all reported under their corporate affiliation) for this more complete Empire Moroun picture:

  • Added Matty gifts: $82,600
  • Nora Moroun: $21,100
  • Matthew Moroun: $38,500
  • Lindsay Moroun: $15,800
  • Agnes Moroun: $ 7,600
  • Dan Stamper: $19,900
  • Mickey Blashfield: $1,550 .


  • Additional TOTAL: $187,050

So the overall total is nearly triple The News' tally:
In the last decade, he has donated more than $100,000.
Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with supporting our political process this way . . . well, except for the fact that the vast majority of voters can't do so.