STATE OF MINNESOTA
CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD
. . . . . . . . .
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
. . . . . . . . .
Robert Whitaker Conference Room
First Floor, Centennial Office Building
. . . . . . . . .
Meeting was called to
order by Chair Miller.
Members present: Ashmore, Fluegel, Kelley, Milbert, Miller,
Pauly
MINUTES (February
24, 2003)
Mr.
Fluegel’s MOTION: To approve the February
24, 2003, minutes as drafted.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed by four members
(Ashmore and Kelley absent).
CHAIR'S REPORT
Next meeting is scheduled
for May 28, 2003.
Ms. Olson submitted the
following written report:
·
Staff Activities
On
February 27th Mr. Sigurdson met with two individuals from Korea,
along with their interpreter, as part of the U.S. Department of State’s
International Visitor Program. They
discussed the role of administrative agencies that focus on political
fund-raising groups.
On
March 4th Ms. Olson spoke to the University of St. Thomas Political
Science Club about campaign finance registration and reporting requirements as
well as lobbyist registration and reporting and the ban on gifts to public
officials. About fifteen students
attended the session.
On
March 12th Ms. Olson was a guest lecturer at a Hamline University
Masters of Public Administration class, entitled Legislative Practicum. The class had ten students and was
entitled
Money, Politics, and Lobbying.
The legislative process and resources available in the Board office and
on the Board’s website were discussed.
On April 28th
and 29th Mr. Sigurdson will attend the annual Heartland conference
in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has been
invited to present information about the Board’s recently compiled data
regarding registration fees for lobbyists, candidates, political committees,
political funds, and public officials charged by agencies through out the 50
states.
The appointments of Terri
Ashmore and Bob Milbert were approved by the Senate Rules Subcommittee on
Elections on March 5th, by the full Rules Committee on March 24th,
and by the full Senate on April 22nd.
Bills including the
Board’s recommendations, SF 931 and HF 1322, were introduced by Senator Higgins
and Representative Rhodes. SF 931 was
passed by the Senate Rules Subcommittee on March 26th and must be
heard by the full Rules Committee. HF
1322 was passed by the House Governmental Operations committee on April 7th
and is on the House General Register for floor action. Both bodies took out provisions relating to
raising the contribution and expenditure limits for constitutional office
candidates.
On March 25th,
Mr. Sigurdson, Mark Scipioni, Department of Administration analyst, and Ms.
Olson presented information to the State Government Budget Division Committee
about the Governor’s fee recommendations and other states’ fee structures. The Department of Administration’s
Management Analysis Division’s report on other states’ fee structure was
provided to Board members.
The Governor’s
recommendation proposes that the check off funds for public subsidy payments to
eligible candidates come from the individual taxpayer rather than from the
state and that the amount may be up to $25.
The proposal also decreases the political contribution refund by
one-half ($25 refunded for a $50 contribution). The House proposal removes the $1,500,000 appropriation each
election year to the general account of the state elections campaign fund.
Fees charged to lobbyists
and the associations that hire them may not exceed the cost to administer that
particular program. Management Analysis
is working with staff to determine how to best account for the use of Board resources
to meet a possible challenge to the constitutionality of the provision. Federal guidelines, best practices in other
states that charge lobbying fees, and State of Minnesota guidelines are being
researched to determine costs associated with the program.
Tricia McBrayer is no
longer employed in the Board office.
Because of the hiring freeze, the receptionist position will remain
open. All staff members are covering
front desk duties on a rotating basis.
As a result of the two
open positions, we have contracted with the Department of Administration for
data entry assistance in the campaign finance and lobbying programs.
On March 15th,
about 1,300 lobbyist principals were required to file their annual report on
2002 lobbying expenditures. This report
was the first filed that disclosed expenditures in increments of $20,000. Staff entered the data and issued a summary
report on April 8th. This
data will also be incorporated into the Annual Lobbyist Disbursement Summary in
the fall. An updated list of
principal’s expenditures was provided to Board members.
Enforcement Report
Board Action: Authorization for referral to the Office of the
Attorney General for failure to file the Report of Receipts and Expenditures
due January 31, 2003, and imposition of a $1,000 civil penalty. These individuals have each incurred a $100
late filing fee. Two reminder notices have been sent to each
treasurer and candidate and staff attempted to contact each individual by telephone. The second notice informed these
individuals that they were subject to a $1,000 civil fine.
Christopher Berg, candidate, Chris Berg
for State Senate
Anthony Berg, treasurer, Neighbors
for (Jim) Berry
Mark Borsheim, treasurer, (Mark)
Borsheim for Representative
Sheree Breedlove, candidate, Sheree
Breedlove Volunteer Committee
Ray Egan, candidate, (Ray) Egan
for Senate
Amy Engren, treasurer, (Loyal)
Hyatt Campaign Committee
Phyllis Jenneke, treasurer, (Jeffrey)
Jenneke Campaign Fund
Todd Lindquist, treasurer, Friends of
Todd Lindquist
Larry Lownie, candidate, Friends of
Larry Lownie
Larry McKenzie, candidate, Larry
McKenzie
Michelle Pone, treasurer, Eric Pone
Volunteer Committee
Tom Porter, candidate, Tom Porter
for State Legislature Committee
Phil Ratté, candidate, (Phil) Ratté
for State Representative
Jeff Scott, candidate, Residents
for Jeff Scott for Senate
Daniel Stevens, candidate, (Daniel)
Stevens for Senate
Lisa Tarasar, candidate, Friends of
Lisa Tarasar
Eleanor Frengi, treasurer, (Laverne) Turner
for Senate
Christopher Berg, treasurer, 4th
Congressional District Republican Labor Federation
Gary Lee, treasurer, 57th
Senate District DFL
Matthea Little Smith, treasurer, Minnesota
Black Political Action Committee
Board Action: Authorization of a certified letter for late filing
fees, which accrued because of the late filing of the Report of Receipts and
Expenditures due January 31, 2003, and subsequent legal enforcement action if
the fee is not paid. Two reminder notices have been sent to each treasurer
and candidate and staff attempted to contact each individual by telephone.
Yia Thao, treasurer, Ellen
Anderson for State Senate: $15
Stephen Proctor, treasurer, (Dick)
Borrell for 19B: $35
Marsha Miller, treasurer, (Ronald)
Dicklich for Senate: $5
Kim Ellison, treasurer, Committee to
Elect Keith Ellison: $25
Tom Paulson, treasurer, Ken McInnis
Volunteer Committee (House): $20
Raymond Pierce, candidate, Committee to
Elect Ray Pierce: $5
Dave Anderson, treasurer, Friends of
Michael Rentz: $20
Adam Chose, treasurer, (Noah) Rouen
Volunteer Committee: $15
Sandra Sabby, treasurer, (Gary) Sabby
Campaign Committee: $30
Susan Rego, treasurer, (John) Skoog
for State Representative: $5
Scott VanBinsbergen, candidate, Scott Van
Binsbergen for Minnesota State Representative:
$30
Justin Wallin, candidate, Justin
Wallin for Senate Committee: $5
Carol Ann White, candidate, Committee to
Elect Carol A. White: $5
Joseph Maiers, treasurer, 15th
Senate District RPM: $70
Board Action: Authorization for referral
to the Office of the Attorney General for failure to file the Lobbyist
Disbursement Report due January 15, 2003, and imposition of a $1,000 civil
penalty. These
individuals have each incurred a $100 late filing fee. Two reminder notices have been sent to each
lobbyist and staff attempted to contact each individual by telephone.
Bridget Cronin, Families for Effective
Autism Treatment
Ray Egan, ABATE Minnesota
Ray Egan, Minnesota Motorcycle
Riders Association
Suzanne McIntosh, Clean Water Action Alliance
Dean Moe, Minnesota Deer Breeder
Association
Carol Overland, Concerned River Valley
Citizens, Inc.
Carol Overland, Public Intervenors
Network
Board Action: Authorization for referral to the Office of the
Attorney General for failure to file the Annual Report of Lobbyist Principal
due March 17, 2003, and imposition of a $1,000 civil penalty. A late filing fee of $5 per business day
began to accrue on April 16, 2003. Two reminder notices have been sent to each
association and staff attempted to contact each individual by telephone.
ABATE Minnesota
Arrowhead EMS
Association, Inc.
Associated Contract
Loggers, Inc.
Bob Erickson
Concerned River Valley
Citizens, Inc.
Libertarian Party of
Minnesota, Inc.
Minnesota Forestry
Association
Minnesota School Psychologists
Association
Pleasuredome Resorts,
Inc.
Public Intervenors
Network, Inc.
Ms. Pauly’s MOTION: To
authorize the actions specified in the consent matters as amended.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
Authorization
for an inactive committee to retain active status
Richard Cairnes, candidate, Volunteers
to Elect Rich Cairnes – By letter dated January 31st Mr.
Cairnes requested that his committee be allowed to retain active status until
2004 for the purpose of disposing of the committee’s assets.
Mr. Fluegel’s MOTION: To approve Mr. Cairne’s request and
allow the Volunteers to Elect Rich Cairnes committee to retain active status.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
Lori Lee, treasurer, Saint Paul Supervisors Organization - By letter dated April
8th Ms. Lee requested permission to terminate the Saint Paul
Supervisors Organization with a cash balance in excess of $100. Ms. Lee stated that the organization does
not intend to make any contributions or donations to state candidates or
political parties in the future, but would like to use the remaining cash to
make contributions to local candidates.
Ms. Pauly’s MOTION: To
approve Ms. Lee’s request to terminate the Saint Paul Supervisors Organization
committee with a cash balance of more that $100.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
Request
to administratively terminate lobbyist registration
Kelly Schwinghammer, Minnesota Dental Association - Minnesota
Dental Association staff notified Board staff that Ms. Schwinghammer left her
employment at the Association in November 2002, for a job in Washington,
DC. The Association staff does not have
contact information for Ms. Schwinghammer.
Board staff’s attempts to contact Ms. Schwinghammer have been
unsuccessful. Because Ms. Schwinghammer
is not a reporting lobbyist, no late filing fees have accrued.
Mr. Milbert’s MOTION: Direct staff to: 1) administratively
terminate the lobbyist registration of Kelly Schwinghammer; 2) place all
correspondence in the lobbyist files; and 3) retain the files in the active
file should Ms. Schwinghammer become an active lobbyist in the future.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously
passed.
Reconsideration of a waiver request for the
Report of Receipts and Expenditures due August 26, 2002 (see November 20, 2002, Board minutes)
Tom Paulson, treasurer, Ken McInnis Volunteer Committee
(Senate), $500 – By letter dated March 5th Mr. Paulson stated that
Mr. McInnis’ mother was recovering from surgery in Wisconsin and Mr. McInnis
was out of town every weekend taking care of her and unable to meet with Mr.
Paulson to assist in filing the report.
Mr. Paulson also stated that he would appreciate any consideration for a
reduction of the late filing fee along with a payment schedule for any
remaining balance.
Ms. Pauly’s MOTION: To
approve Mr. Paulson’s request and reduce the late filing fee to $250 and direct
staff to set up a payment schedule with Mr. Paulson.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
Waiver requests
·
Report of
Receipts and Expenditures due October 28, 2002
Adam Chose, treasurer, (Noah) Rouen Volunteer Committee, $500 - A year-end Report
of Receipts and Expenditures was received in the Board office on December 13,
2002. In his waiver request Mr. Chose
stated that because the committee had no activity to report after the primary
election, he concluded that he was not required to file the pre-general
report.
Mr. Fluegel’s MOTION: To approve Mr. Chose’s request and waive the $500 late
filing fee.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
Diane Krych, Carlton County RPM, $500 – The Report of
Receipts and Expenditures was received in the Board office on November 26,
2002. In her waiver request, Ms. Krych
stated that she faxed the report to the Board on October 27, 2002, before
leaving town. The committee’s
pre-primary report due August 19, 2002, was received on September 14, 2002,
resulting in a $500 fine, which the Board reduced to $100. The committee’s report due January 31, 2002,
was received on February 21, 2002, no late filing fee accrued. The committee’s report due January 31, 1998,
was received on March 18, 1998, no late filing fee accrued. Ms. Krych was not treasurer at the time
these three reports were filed late. No
motion was made.
Ms. Pauly’s MOTION: To approve Ms. Heikes’ request to waive the $500 late filing fee and the $1,000 civil penalty.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
John Thorson, member, AFSCME Council 14 PEOPLE Fund,
$1,500 ($500 late filing fee and $1,000 civil penalty) – The Report of Receipts and Expenditures was received in the Board
office on March 7, 2003. Mr. Thorson’s
waiver request stated that “new procedures have been implemented within our
organization for accounting and filing of reports” and that “all future
reporting of the AFSCME Council 14 PEOPLE Fund will be completed electronically
via the Board’s Campaign Finance software.”
The committee’s Report of Receipts and Expenditures due January 31,
2002, was received September 13, 2002, resulting in a $100 late filing
fee. The committee’s report due October
30, 2000, was received on November 3, 2000, resulting in a $50 late filing
fee. The committee’s report due August
28, 2000, was received September 20, 2000.
Ms. Ashmore’s MOTION: To: 1) deny Mr. Thorson’s request to waive the $500 late
filling fee; and 2) deny Mr. Thorson’s request to waive the $1,000 civil
penalty and reduce the civil penalty to $500.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
·
Reports of
Receipts and Expenditures due August 19 and October 28, 2002
Kristin Fallenstein, treasurer, (Troy)
Haefner for Senate, $3,000 ($1,000 in late filing fees and $2,000 in civil penalties) – On
February 18, 2003, Ms. Fallenstein submitted a Report of Receipts and
Expenditures for the period covering January 1 through December 31, 2002. In her waiver request Ms. Fallenstein stated that she was ill
throughout 2002, and provided a letter from her physician indicating that Ms.
Fallenstein had two surgeries in 2002.
Ms. Fallenstein also indicated that the committee intends on
terminating.
Mr. Milbert’s MOTION: To: 1) deny Ms. Fallenstein’s
request to waive the $1,000 late filing fees and reduce the fee to $500; and 2)
to approve Ms. Fallenstein’s request to waive the $2,000 civil penalties.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
Darryl Spence, candidate, Darryl
Spence for State Representative, $3,000 ($1,000 in late filing fees and $2,000 in civil penalties) - On February 21,
2003, Mr. Spence submitted a Report of Receipts and Expenditures for the period
covering January 1 through December 31, 2002.
In his waiver request Mr. Spence indicated that he had used the Finance 2002 software
and believed that he had successfully submitted his report electronically. The Board has no record of the file being
submitted electronically. In addition,
Board staff notified Mr. Spence by telephone that the reports had not been
electronically received. Mr. Spence
added that there had been no committee activity since the primary
election. The committee terminated its
registration with the Board on February 25th.
Ms. Pauly’s MOTION: To:
1) deny Mr. Spence’s request to waive the $1,000 late filing fees and reduce
the fee to $200; and 2) to approve Mr. Spence’s request to waive the $2,000
civil penalties.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
·
Report of Receipts and Expenditures due
January 31, 2003
Jan Carroll, treasurer, We Want
(Mark) Gleason Campaign, $40
Jan Carroll, treasurer, Gleason
(Mark) for State Auditor Campaign, $40
The Reports of Receipts
and Expenditures for both committees were received in the Board office on March
14, 2003. In her waiver request Ms.
Carroll stated that the two reports were late due to extenuating personal
circumstances.
Mr. Fluegel’s MOTION: To approve Ms. Carroll’s request to
waive the two $40 late filing fees due to extenuating circumstances.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
Michele Ford, candidate, (Michele)
Ford for Senate, $30 – The Report of Receipts and Expenditures was received in
the Board office on March 12, 2003. In
her waiver request Ms. Ford indicates that her report was not timely filed due
to health concerns and extenuating personal circumstances. The committee terminated its registration
with the Board on March 12th.
Mr. Kelley’s MOTION: To
approve Ms. Ford’s request to waive the $30 late filing fee due to extenuating
circumstances.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
·
Original
Statement of Economic Interest
Linda Kane, member, Designer Selection Board, Department of Administration, $75 –
The Statement due January 21, 2003, was received in the Board office on March
13, 2003. In her waiver request, Ms.
Kane stated that she set her disclosure statement aside while waiting for
information from a previous employer, and subsequently lost track of the due
date. No motion was made.
William Montgomery, member, Designer Selection Board,
Department of Administration, $80 – The Statement due January 17, 2003,
was received in the Board office on March 11, 2003. In his waiver request, Mr. Montgomery stated that his failure to
file the statement was an oversight related to his recent job transition. No motion was made.
·
Pre-General Report of Large Pre-Election
Contribution or Loan
Katie Perrault, treasurer, Wayne
Gilbert Volunteer Committee, $500 - In her waiver request, Ms. Perrault
stated that she was unable to use her Finance 2002 software during the period
during which she was required to file a 48-hour notice. Ms. Perrault enumerated a number of
extenuating personal circumstances that also contributed to the late filing of
this report, and noted that the committee does not have $500 in its
account.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
Gabe Davis, treasurer, Lori Schmidt
Campaign Committee, $500 - In his waiver request, Mr. Davis stated that he used the
Finance 2002 software to submit his 48-hour notice. The Board has no record of this notice being submitted
electronically.
Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.
Donald Hewitt, treasurer, Citizens for
Julie Ward, $500 - In his waiver request, Mr. Hewitt stated that the Finance
2002 software did not prompt him to submit a 48-hour notice. Board staff is unaware of any other
committee encountering this problem with the Finance 2002 software. No motion was made.
·
Lobbyist Disbursement Report due January 15,
2003
Deborah Loeser, Xcel Energy Services,
Inc., $20 – The Lobbyist Disbursement Report was received in the Board office
on February 20, 2003. In her waiver
request Ms. Loeser stated that her report was late because she was out of town
attending to a family emergency. No
motion was made.
Maureen Anderson,
candidate, Anderson (Maureen) Volunteer Committee: $144 ($100 late filing fee, $44 service of process fees)
Joel Holstad, treasurer,
Committee to Elect Holstad: $100
Marianne Beck, treasurer,
43rd Senate District RPM:
$100
Robin Madsen, treasurer,
AFSCME Council 14 PEOPLE Fund: $100
James Meffert-Nelson,
treasurer, Minnesota Optometric PAC:
$100
·
Report of Receipts and Expenditures due
August 26, 2002
Richard Thomas,
treasurer, Ames Construction PAC: $500
Jennifer O’Rourke,
treasurer, Minnesotans for a Democratic Majority: $70 (balance $245)
·
Report of Receipts and Expenditures due October 28, 2002
Corey Holden, treasurer,
Lake County RPM: $100
Susan Rosenberg,
treasurer, Richfield DFL: $100
Joe McCabe, treasurer,
Watonwan County DFL: $100
Sander Grotjohn,
treasurer, MFT-Greenway Local 1330 Cope Fund:
$50
·
Report of Receipts and Expenditures due January 31, 2003
Jim Berg, candidate, Jim
Berg Volunteer Committee (Senate): $35
Jim Berg, candidate, Jim
Berg Volunteer Committee (House): $35
Steven Hawn, treasurer,
(Randy) Kelly for Senate Volunteer Committee:
$100
Lyle Koenen, candidate
(Lyle) Koenen Volunteer Committee: $20
Justin Krych, candidate,
Minnesotans for (Justin) Krych: $20
Peter Masterson,
treasurer, Craig Miller Volunteer Committee:
$35
Lax Sundae, candidate,
Lax Sundae for State Representative: $5
Ted Thompson, candidate,
People for Ted Thompson: $100
Tom Workman, candidate,
Tom Workman Volunteer Committee: $25
Steve Braa, treasurer,
Senate District 61 RPM: $5
Robin Madsen, treasurer,
AFSCME Council 14 PEOPLE Fund: $20
Charles Witt, treasurer,
Iron Workers Local 512: $15
Sander Grotjohn,
treasurer, MFT-Greenway Local 1330 Cope Fund:
$50
·
Lobbyist
Disbursement Report due July 15, 2002
Kim Carlson, Bituminous Roadways: $30 (balance $70)
Richard G. Nelson, Minnesota Vikings
Football Club: $100
·
Lobbyist
Disbursement Report due January 15, 2003
Timothy J. Keane, Clare Housing, Inc: $10
Joseph E. Olson, Gun Owners Civil Rights
Alliance: $35
David Nitti, United Teachers of South
Washington County: $90
·
Original Statement of Economic Interest
Mark Holsten, Deputy
Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources:
$30
Payment
of Civil Fines
·
Conciliation Agreement
Erick
Harper, candidate, (Erick)
Harper for Senate - On February 4, 2003, Gay
Rupp, treasurer of the Harper for Senate committee notified the Board that the
committee inadvertently accepted aggregate contributions totaling $5,416.11
from committees of the Republican Party of Minnesota and terminating principal
campaign committees. The total amount
of these contributions exceeded by $416.11 the applicable contribution
limit. Mr. Harper entered into a
conciliation agreement on March 10, 2003, and paid a civil fine of $416.11.
James Meffert-Nelson, treasurer, Minnesota Optometric Political Action Committee: $1,000
Erika Sitz, treasurer,
(Maria) King Campaign Committee: $1,341.91
Dawn Marks, candidate,
(Dawn) Marks Election Committee:
$281.10
Mari Pokornowski,
candidate, People for (Mari) Pokornowski (Senate): $121.27
Tim Commers, treasurer,
Minnesota Life Committee: $209.65
Bonnie Frielund,
treasurer, Minnesota Power PAC: $151.96
Donald Empson, treasurer,
(Kathleen) Vadnais for 52B: $71.27
Financial statement and agency deposits - Mr. Sigurdson submitted reports covering July 2002 through March
2003.
Counsel Huwe presented the
legal counsel report outlining the status of cases that have been turned over
to the Attorney General’s office (see copy of
memo attached).
Counsel Huwe reported
that the brief in preparation for a summary judgment motion in the Minnesota
Citizens Concerned for Life, et al. v. Kelley, et al. case is due May 1st.
In the matter of the complaint against Friends of (Satveer) Chaudhary Committee (House Committee) and the Chaudhary (Satveer) for Senate Committee (Senate Committee) – The Board issued findings showing that there is no probable cause to believe that the committees failed to disclose certain contributions and expenditures on the Report of Receipts and Expenditures and that there is probable cause to believe that altered checks were delivered by then Representative Chaudhary to the (Steve) Novak for Congress committee. Although altering checks may, under some circumstances, violate Minnesota law, such a violation would not be subject to the Board’s jurisdiction under Chapter 10A. The Board’s executive director shall refer this matter to the Ramsey County Attorney for review. The Board ordered that the findings and the record of the investigation be made a part of the public records of the Board (see copy of findings attached).
In the matter of the investigation regarding the (Anthony) Cornish Volunteer Committee – The Board issued findings showing that there is probable cause to believe that the (Anthony) Cornish Volunteer Committee violated Minn. Stat. §10A.273 by accepting a contribution from a registered political fund during the regular session of the legislature in 2002 and imposed a civil fine of $500. The Board ordered that the findings and the record of the investigation be made a part of the public records of the Board (see copy of findings attached).
In the matter of the investigation regarding the Lyall Delaney Volunteer Committee – The Board issued findings showing that there is probable cause to believe that the Lyall Delaney Volunteer Committee violated Minn. Stat. §10A.273 by accepting a contribution from a registered political fund during the regular session of the legislature in 2002 and imposed a civil fine of $500. The Board ordered that the findings and the record of the investigation be made a part of the public records of the Board (see copy of findings attached).
In the matter of the investigation regarding the St. Croix Valley Central Labor Union – The Board issued findings showing that there is probable cause to believe that the St. Croix Valley Central Labor Union violated Minn. Stat. §10A.17, subd. 4, by sending out a flyer on behalf of a candidate without the proper independent expenditure disclaimer. Having no evidence that the treasurer knowingly violated Minn. Stat. §10A.17, subd. 4, the Board imposes no penalty. The Board cautions the St. Croix Valley Central Labor Union that it should now be aware of all statutory provisions related to independent expenditures. The Board ordered that the findings and the record of the investigation be made a part of the public records of the Board (see copy of findings attached).
In the matter of the investigation regarding the Leo Brisbois for Representative 38B Volunteer Committee – The Board issued findings showing that there is probable cause to believe that the Leo Brisbois for Representative 38B Volunteer Committee violated Minn. Stat. §10A.27, subd. 9(d), when it gave a $125 contribution to a candidate seeking office in a political subdivision. The contribution having been returned, there is no probable cause to believe a violation continues to exist. The Board ordered that the findings and the record of the investigation be made a part of the public records of the Board (see copy of findings attached).
In the matter of the investigation regarding the (Kristin) Meyer for Senate Committee – The Board issued findings showing that there is probable cause to believe that the (Kristin) Meyer for Senate Committee violated Minn. Stat. §10A.27, subd. 9(a), when it made a contribution to another principal campaign committee. At the time this contribution was made, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 10A provided no penalty for this violation. The contribution was returned to the donating committee. The Board ordered that the findings and the record of the investigation be made a part of the public records of the Board (see copy of findings attached).
In the matter of the investigation regarding the Bret Walsh Committee – The Board issued findings showing that there is probable cause to believe that the Friends of Bret Walsh Committee accepted a $500 contribution from a candidate for political subdivision office in another state. Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 10A provides no penalty for this violation. The Board ordered Mr. Walsh to return the contribution to the contributor. The Board ordered that the findings and the record of the investigation be made a part of the public records of the Board (see copy of findings attached).
Meeting
adjourned.
Jeanne
Olson
Executive
Director
attachments
(8)