Mike Connell

Republican Party computer expert and IT consultant Mike Connell died on December 19, 2008, when the plane he was piloting crashed in a residential area in Uniontown, Ohio. Connell's companies, New Media Communications and GovTech Solutions, designed websites and marketing campaigns for several Republican candidates and officials, including President George W. Bush and presidential candidate John McCain.WYKC.com: Stark Co. plane crash: Who was Michael Connell? (December 20, 2008)

Connell was the only person in the plane, which was reportedly on its way from Pennslyvania to the Akron Canton Airport. An airport employee reported that the Connell was approaching, but landed approximately 2.5 miles short of the runway. After the crash, the plane caught on fire, damaging a nearby house, which was vacant at the time. The reason for the crash was not immediately known, but officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA arrived on the scene and were investigating shortly after it occurred.MSNBC: Plane Crashes In Stark County (December 20, 2008)

During investigations into alleged election fraud in Ohio during the 2004 election, attorney Cliff Arnebeck sent an email to Attorney General Michael Mukasey requesting protection for Connell and his family. The email alleged that Karl Rove had threatened Connell, saying "that if he does not agree to 'take the fall' for election fraud in Ohio, his wife Heather will be prosecuted for supposed lobby law violations."The Huffington Post: ...Rove Threatened GOP IT Guru If He Does Not 'Take the Fall'... (July 31, 2008) Connell was also subpoenaed to provide information regarding the emails that went missing and allegedly contained proof that the firing of eight US attorneys was politically motivated.The Huffington Post: White House Emails: The Missing Link? (October 21, 2008)

1. New Media Communications: Meet Mike Connell

2. MSNBC: Plane Crashes In Stark County (December 20, 2008)

3. The Huffington Post: Mike Connell..Dies in Plane Crash (December 20, 2008)

4. WYKC.com: Stark Co. plane crash: Who was Michael Connell? (December 20, 2008)

5. PR Newswire: Bush Insider Who Planned To Tell All Killed In Plane Crash (December 20, 2008)

6. The Huffington Post: White House Emails: The Missing Link? (October 21, 2008)

7. YouTube Video: Who is Mike Connell? (Time: 6:47)