STATE OF MINNESOTA
CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC
DISCLOSURE BOARD
FINDINGS IN THE MATTER OF
A CONTRIBUTION DURING THE REGULAR
2004 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
BY STEPHANIE L. FROST
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On August 9, 2004,
the Friends of Marc Kimball Committee notified the Campaign Finance and Public
Disclosure Board ("the Board") that it had accepted a $25 contribution from
Stephanie L. Frost, a registered lobbyist, during the regular 2004 legislative
session.
In a letter to the
Board received August 13, 2004, Stephanie L. Frost stated, "I did inadvertently
make a contribution to the Marc Kimball campaign during the legislative
session."
The contribution was
made on February 14, 2004. The regular
2004 legislative session was held from February 2, 2004, to May 16, 2004. On August 9, 2004, the Friends of Marc
Kimball Committee provided the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board
with a copy of a check dated July 30, 2004, returning the $25 contribution to Ms.
Frost.
This matter was
considered by the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ("Board") in
executive session on August 27, 2004.
Based on the record before it, the Board issues the
following:
EVIDENTIARY FINDINGS
1. Stephanie
L. Frost, a registered lobbyist, made a $25 contribution to the Friends of Marc
Kimball Committee on February 14, 2004.
2. Minn. Stat.
10A.273, subd. 1, (b), prohibits a lobbyist from making a contribution to a
principal candidate committee during a regular session of the legislature. The regular 2004 legislative Session was
held from February 2, 2004, to May 16, 2004.
3. The Friends
of Marc Kimball Committee returned the $25 contribution to Ms. Frost.
Based on the
above Statement of the Evidence, the Board makes the following:
FINDING CONCERNING PROBABLE CAUSE
There is
probable cause to believe that Stephanie L. Frost violated Minn. Stat.
10A.273, subd. 1, (b), by making a contribution to a principal campaign
committee during the regular session of the legislature in 2004.
Based on the above Finding Concerning Probable Cause, the
Board issues the following:
ORDER
1. In lieu of
forwarding the above public finding of probable cause to the county attorney in
Ramsey County to pursue a judgment in district court, the Board imposes a civil
penalty of $25 on Stephanie L. Frost for making a contribution during the
regular 2004 legislative session.
2. Stephanie
L. Frost is directed to forward to the Board payment of the civil penalty, by
check or money order payable to the STATE OF MINNESOTA, within thirty days
after receipt of this order.
3. If Stephanie
L. Frost does not comply with the provisions of this order, the Board's
Executive Director shall refer this matter to the Ramsey County Attorney for
civil enforcement pursuant to Minn. Stat. 10A.273.
4. The Board
investigation of this matter is entered into the public record in accordance
with Minn. Stat. 10A.02, subd. 11, and upon payment by Stephanie L. Frost of
the civil penalty imposed herein, the matter is concluded.
Dated: August 27, 2004 __________________________________
Wil Fluegel, Chair
Campaign
Finance and Public Disclosure Board