Kentucky GOP Files More Complaints Alleging More Fundraising "Illegalities" On Behalf Of Steve Beshear's Campaign.
GOP wants expanded review of Beshear's fundraising
By ROGER ALFORD
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear's fundraising continued to draw criticism from the GOP on Monday, with a new complaint alleging improprieties in the way some of his $5 million-plus in campaign contributions were gathered.
Republican Party Chairman Steve Robertson filed the latest complaint with the Executive Branch Ethics Commission, charging that another Beshear aide has solicited contributions from state employees in violation of state law. He had previously made that accusation against two other aides.
Beshear, who is seeking a second term in the Nov. 8 election, has raised far more than either of his opponents, Republican David Williams and independent Gatewood Galbraith.
The latest complaint involves Jerry Graves, a deputy commissioner in the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet who was recently promoted to executive director of the Kentucky River Authority. Robertson claims Graves solicited contributions from state workers on two separate occasions since December. Graves didn't return a telephone call or email seeking comment.
The complaint led to one of the sharpest exchanges of the campaign season, with both sides alleging criminal wrongdoing against the other.
"This accusation is a pathetic hail Mary by the failing Williams-Farmer campaign," said Beshear campaign spokesman Matt Erwin, who accused Robertson of perjury.
"We will take action with the appropriate authorities."
Robertson charged that Beshear's campaign has flouted campaign finance rules by pressing state workers for money, even though state law specifically prohibits such a practice.
"This activity potentially represents a commission of several Class D felonies," Robertson said Monday. "Certainly, it's my belief that the appropriate agencies in state government need to take a hard look at this question and try to find real answers."
A report filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance shows that Graves raised more than $23,000 at a Dec. 8 fundraiser. The total from the June fundraiser won't be reported to the registry until October.
The complaint, the latest in a series filed against both campaigns, included a copy of an invitation to the Graves-hosted fundraiser, which included a disclaimer saying any state employees who received it should disregard.
Robertson had filed similar complaints earlier this month with the Registry of Election Finance and with the attorney general's office. At least one state employee, Dr. Patrick Sheridan, medical director in the Department for Juvenile Justice, acknowledged that he had been asked to contribute to Beshear's campaign. However, Sheridan said the campaign later returned his $500 check.
Democratic Party Chairman Dan Logsdon filed a complaint with the Legislative Branch Ethics Commission earlier this month, accusing Williams of not reporting gambling winnings on financial disclosure forms. Logsdon said Williams reported $5,000 in gambling income on a 2002 tax return made public in a divorce case, but that money wasn't reflected on the financial disclosure forms that lawmakers are required to periodically file in Kentucky.
By ROGER ALFORD
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear's fundraising continued to draw criticism from the GOP on Monday, with a new complaint alleging improprieties in the way some of his $5 million-plus in campaign contributions were gathered.
Republican Party Chairman Steve Robertson filed the latest complaint with the Executive Branch Ethics Commission, charging that another Beshear aide has solicited contributions from state employees in violation of state law. He had previously made that accusation against two other aides.
Beshear, who is seeking a second term in the Nov. 8 election, has raised far more than either of his opponents, Republican David Williams and independent Gatewood Galbraith.
The latest complaint involves Jerry Graves, a deputy commissioner in the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet who was recently promoted to executive director of the Kentucky River Authority. Robertson claims Graves solicited contributions from state workers on two separate occasions since December. Graves didn't return a telephone call or email seeking comment.
The complaint led to one of the sharpest exchanges of the campaign season, with both sides alleging criminal wrongdoing against the other.
"This accusation is a pathetic hail Mary by the failing Williams-Farmer campaign," said Beshear campaign spokesman Matt Erwin, who accused Robertson of perjury.
"We will take action with the appropriate authorities."
Robertson charged that Beshear's campaign has flouted campaign finance rules by pressing state workers for money, even though state law specifically prohibits such a practice.
"This activity potentially represents a commission of several Class D felonies," Robertson said Monday. "Certainly, it's my belief that the appropriate agencies in state government need to take a hard look at this question and try to find real answers."
A report filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance shows that Graves raised more than $23,000 at a Dec. 8 fundraiser. The total from the June fundraiser won't be reported to the registry until October.
The complaint, the latest in a series filed against both campaigns, included a copy of an invitation to the Graves-hosted fundraiser, which included a disclaimer saying any state employees who received it should disregard.
Robertson had filed similar complaints earlier this month with the Registry of Election Finance and with the attorney general's office. At least one state employee, Dr. Patrick Sheridan, medical director in the Department for Juvenile Justice, acknowledged that he had been asked to contribute to Beshear's campaign. However, Sheridan said the campaign later returned his $500 check.
Democratic Party Chairman Dan Logsdon filed a complaint with the Legislative Branch Ethics Commission earlier this month, accusing Williams of not reporting gambling winnings on financial disclosure forms. Logsdon said Williams reported $5,000 in gambling income on a 2002 tax return made public in a divorce case, but that money wasn't reflected on the financial disclosure forms that lawmakers are required to periodically file in Kentucky.
Labels: Democratism, GOP, Kentucky politics, Republicanism
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 5:14 PM
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