Aussie hired by state GOP embroiled in immigration lawsuit

[cal04]

Michael Kamburowski, the Australian immigrant hired as a top official in the California Republican Party, was ordered deported in 2001, jailed three years later for visa violations -- and has filed a $5 million wrongful arrest lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to U.S. District Court documents.

Kamburowski was named in March to be the chief operating officer of the California GOP. He is responsible for the state party's multimillion-dollar budget and oversees campaign funds and financing for the nation's largest state GOP organization.

As the state GOP's new operating officer, the 35-year-old Kamburowski was handpicked for the post by state Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring, who became party chief in February.


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In a week in which the immigration bill is being revisited by Congress -- and after Republican presidential candidates and party officials nationwide have called for secure borders and tough enforcement of illegal immigration -- the past immigration troubles of a high-ranking California GOP official has the potential to both endanger Republican fundraising in crucial California, the nation's political ATM, while also handing Democratic opponents ammunition for coming campaigns.


http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/24/MNGIUQKUID1.DTL&type=politics