Action Greensboro Gives $5,000 to Simkins PAC

Via Triad Watch, we learn that Action Greensboro donated $5,000 to the Simkins PAC this year.

There are problems with this jarring news from at least several standpoints.  First, of course, is the recent history of the PAC itself.  Second is the seeming inappropriateness of this move, legally and/or ethically.  Triad Watch raises one legal issue; but also, is not Action Greensboro funding raised through non-profit foundations and the like? 

Third, of course, is the perception that Action Greensboro has represented a "shadow government" locally.  Does not this give the appearance of a quid pro quo?  Fourth, this contribution reinforces the Melderec con Simkins machine aspect of our local government.  In fact, it animates it.

The filing to which Triad Watch linked demonstrates other contributors to the Simkins PAC include NC Senator-elect Don Vaughan and County Commissioner Paul Gibson.

It is all heart-warming, isn't it?

Comments

[keith]

Thanks Joe , it will be interesting to see the results of this bit of information on the Simkins PAC 3rd quarter returns. Will update.

[Joe Guarino]

Thanks, Keith. This revelation is a real eye-opener.

[keith]

time to reveal what the news and record won't report

[David Hoggard]

Me, too Keith. I'm glad you are keeping up with such matters.

I'm asking for an explanation at my place.

[Tommy]

Perhaps Raleigh attorney Victor Farah is someone to ask.

[keith]

Thanks David, I reckon my blog angle will be campaign contributions and what is missing that needs to be reported. Even though Larry Proctor didn't win in At large Guilford County Commissioners. Triadwatch will be on his campaign to amend his reports to how they should be reported like Kirk Perkins knows how to do.

[keith]

David, you might want to talk to the people at citizens for a better greensboro because there are a lot of issues with how all this funding for them is reported and the laws that govern how the referendum committee works. For example every sign should have a paid for by the referendum committee which was not on any P&R signs. Do you know who paid for those P&R signs?

[Joe Guarino]

This may seem like an obvious question, but is not Action Greensboro itself a non-profit? If so, it would seem the only way for it to legally make a contribution like this would be to create some type of ancillary organization for this purpose. Did this happen?

[keith]

No joe I don't think so, to me it looks like they probably bundled $5,000 from a lot of contributors and put it under Action Greensboro, who knows but it will be interesting to get the explanation.

[David Hoggard]

I don't know for sure who paid for the signs, but I'm thinking it was the Citizen's Committee (referendum committee) that was set up for the 2006 effort.

Leaving off the "paid for by...." was just an oversight, I'm sure.

Does this mean we will have to give back the $20M? ;-)

[keith]

No you don't have to give back the 20 million but there are certain rules and regulations for these referendum committees and the days of lax oversight are over . Time to follow the laws of this state.We will see where all of this ends up with Simkins and Action Greensboro but as everyone has stated there are a lot of questions on this contribution to this PAC.

[Stormy]

keith,

Isn't it illegal to bundle individual contributors' checks and give to another candidate? Would that mean that they solicited checks with blank payees? Would that not be violation of campaign finance laws?

I'm sure that JR and the News-Record will be all over this like a june bug.

[keith]

stormy, I don't know the answer but there are a lot of questions that need to be addressed. There is a e-mail to the NC Board of Elections about this issue.

Yes it is illegal to bundle but having the $5,000 under indvidual contributions section is a red flag on this report.It is a total hypothetical on my part but we will see.

[Stormy]

I can't believe that there were people that actually violated campaign finance laws in this last election. Shocking!

[keith]

letter to State Board of Election has been sent. It is crazy in this technological age that the State Board still needs a letter sent to them. There isn't a place online to file a formal complaint still have to mail a letter.