NC Board of Elections: Simkins PAC and Action Greensboro Broke the Law with $5,000 Contribution

From Keith Brown at Triad Watch, we learn some big news.

Recall that Action Greensboro gave $5,000 to the Simkins PAC during the last election cycle.  The North Carolina Board of Elections has determined that the contribution was illegal.

It was illegal for the Simkins PAC to accept the money; and it was illegal for Action Greensboro to give it.  The PAC was directed to return $5,000 to the state of NC.

I felt it was manifestly obvious from the outset that this contribution was inappropriate, for a host of reasons. 

We have been told for years that our fair city is politically enlightened.  But for some of us, this episode provided additional evidence that the converse is true; and also, it furnished proof of some strikingly inappropriate political alliances in our fair city.

Kudos to Keith for pursuing this issue.

Comments

[keith]

thanks joe, you are correct.You might like to see what don moore posted on site about back door politics as well.

[bubba]

Look at the quote at the N&R from Steve Bowden:

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/04/02/article/local_pac_forfeits_illegal_contribution

"'We weren’t trying to hide anything. Somebody complained, so we just did what was right,' said Steve Bowden, co-chairman of the PAC."

No, of course you weren't.

And you were totally ignorant of the law, right?

How I love those "who, us?" type of responses from those caught in breaking the law!

[Joe Guarino]

Keith-- excellent work on your part. And for readers, here is what Don Moore said over at your site:

"$5,000 is chump change. Look for other consideration - employment, jobs, contracts, etc. that are being made."

And in the recent past, we have seen Simkins principals and endorsees sign on to Action Greensboro's key agenda points for the city and county. We have seen the Greensboro Partnership get funded by local government. We have seen financial support for the civil rights museum in spite of all the adverse circumstances in the past. We have seen the Melderec con Simkins forces coalesce behind certain candidates; and we have seen Melderec public officials bow before the Simkins machine on certain key matters.

Bubba, there were intelligent grown-ups affiliated with both the Simkins PAC and Action Greensboro who should have known this contribution was completely out of line. In fact, I would find it pretty amazing if they did not know. But the idea that the legality of this contribution should ever been a matter of debate, or that there is now a retrospective effort to make things right, almost seems absurd.

While $5,000 may seem like "chump change", it funds a considerable portion of the PAC's election season activities, which have had considerable clout and effect in the past locally. So it was a major portion of the PAC's operating "budget" for achieving its goals-- endorsing candidates and getting them elected.

[Tony Wilkins]

Joe, your thoughts on a penalty or fee being assessed for an illegal contribution?
http://www.busybeingbornblog.com/?p=301

[Joe Guarino]

Tony, I had just commented over at your place. And yes, I agree that the absence of a penalty against the Simkins PAC is troubling. As you point out, there is no disincentive for them to pull this type of thing again. Perhaps that is why they apparently feel they can take the whole thing in stride.

And of course, there was no penalty against Action Greensboro. Someone would need to complain to the IRS and/or the appropriate state office for AG to be sanctioned. But one can argue Action Greensboro's local reputation has been nearly ruined by this episode. Its true colors were unmasked in a most vivid way.

[keith]

Joe,
sam at piedmont publius has another angle to all of this in something we have known about but very interesting to see fter what just happened with this letter here is the link to that post
http://triad.johnlocke.org/blog/?p=2466

[ROBE]

Doesn't some of their funds come from the City and County Governments????

[Joe Guarino]

ROBE, yes, the Greensboro Partnership receives some funding from the city (I am not sure about the county).

Keith, Sam makes a great point about the Simkins/Melderec representatives being granted a seat at the table with respect to the selection of the new county manager. Alston is primarily responsible for this. It is now a recurring theme that we see "business interests" becoming closely allied with Democratic political leadership. In fact, we have it now at all three levels of government-- city, state and federal. The old stereotype of Republicans being the party of big business is oh-so-outdated. The Democrats now represent big business.