Identified as Bradley Graven, the man was an unpaid volunteer. According to KSKDK, while not on her payroll he served as Miller’s personal chauffeur at public events and raised money for her campaign. Miller even trusted Graven with her family vehicle in at least three incidents. Pictures obtained by local outlets depict Graven driving the vehicle to parades and fundraising dinners with state legislative plates.
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According to the Chicago Tribune, Graven pleaded guilty in 2005 following a sting operation in which he contacted an officer posing as a minor in an internet chat room. After Graven agreed to meet with him "to engage in sexual activities" he was arrested.
Following the confirmation of Graven’s conviction, Miller has come under fire not only because she runs her campaign on protecting children but because she has consistently encouraged voters to judge officials in Congress by the company they keep, reiterating this suggestion throughout her campaign trail.
”A politician is known by their votes and by who they hang around with," Miller told supporters on Monday.
In another incident, she told supporters: “I always told my children that I could tell a lot about who they are by who they hang around with. It’s the same thing in D.C. with the adults.”
Even fellow Republicans called Miller into question.
Miller is set to run against five-term incumbent Congressman Rodney Davis in the Republican primary next month. Davis’ campaign urged Miller to explain her relationship with Graven.
"Mary Miller likes to say politicians are known by the people they hang around with," Davis' campaign spokesman, Aaron DeGroot, told 5 On Your Side. "If that’s the case, she must explain why a man who served jail time for soliciting sex from a minor on the internet is working for her campaign. Miller’s silence on this says a lot about her character and lack of judgement.”
At this time, Miller’s campaign has not responded to any inquiries regarding the conviction or Graven’s involvement.
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