A political and environmental activist – and current gubernatorial candidate – unveiled a book Thursday detailing various misdeeds he alleges Gov. Jesse Ventura has committed.

Leslie Davis, a Brooklyn-born activist, introduced his book “Always Cheat: The Philosophy of Jesse Ventura” at the State Office Building in St. Paul to expose his concerns about the governor.

The book raises questions about Ventura’s 1998 gubernatorial campaign and conflicts of interest Davis said Ventura has been engaged in with various government bodies and personnel. The book also discusses Ventura’s stint as a referee on a cable channel wrestling program and the governor’s military record, among other topics.

“We list over 20 quotes in the book where Ventura says, ‘When I was a SEAL in Vietnam in combat’ – that’s a lie; he wasn’t in Vietnam in combat as a Navy SEAL,” Davis said. “He was a storekeeper on a ship.”

John Wodele, Ventura’s spokesman, was also included in the book. Davis said Wodele also participated in law bending.

Wodele denied all the book’s charges against both Ventura and himself and said Davis’ book is a defamation campaign.

“We’re terribly disappointed in the fact that Mr. Davis would spread such ridiculous lies,” Wodele said. “And we’re disappointed that any responsible bookseller would put it on their shelves. It’s just pure fiction.”

University graduate student Pete Wagner illustrated the book and designed the cover. Wagner also draws editorial cartoons for The Minnesota Daily.

“I just kind of got into the book sideways,” Wagner said. Though he has known Davis for years and the two have similar views on Ventura, he said, they don’t match perfectly.

“The biggest problem I have with Ventura is that everything he does just revolves around his personal interests,” Wagner said. “He’s not ever thinking of the voters.”

Wagner said he hasn’t read the entire book but thought what he had read was “well written and well argued.”

“I actually voted for Ventura in an attempt to shake things up,” Wagner said. “I really think he’s just blown it.”

Davis said he spent $15,000 on the book, which will be available in bookstores on April 19.

Shira Kantor welcomes comments at [email protected]