STATE OF MINNESOTA
CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD
FINDINGS REGARDING THE FRIENDS OF BRET WALSH COMMITTEE
Procedural Background
Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ("Board") staff review of the Friends of Bret Walsh Committee disclosed that on November 4, 2002, the Friends of Bret Walsh Committee accepted a $500 contribution from the Brinkman for State Representative Committee, a campaign committee for political subdivision office in another state.
On March 28, 2003, Board staff sent the Friends of Bret Walsh Committee notice of a possible violation of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 10A.
On April 13, 2003, Bret Walsh, candidate, and Mark Cove, treasurer, submitted a letter that stated that because the contribution was from a campaign committee registered in Ohio that they believed they could accept the contribution. Mr. Walsh and Mr. Cove stated "It was our intent to follow the law. If we acted in error, it was due to a misinterpretation of campaign finance law borne from inexperience."
Based on the record before it, the Board issues the following:
1. On November 4, 2002, the Friends of Bret Walsh Committee accepted a $500 contribution from the Brinkman for State Representative Committee, a candidate for political subdivision office in another state.
2. Minn. Stat. 10A.27, subd. 9 (d), prohibits a principal campaign committee from accepting a contribution from a candidate for political subdivision office in any state.
3. Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 10A provides no penalty for this violation.
Based on the above Statement of the
Evidence, the Board makes the following:
There is probable cause to believe that the Friends of Bret Walsh violated Minn. Stat. 10A.27, subd. 9, (d), when it accepted a contribution from a candidate for political subdivision office in another state.
Based on the above
Findings, the Board issues the following:
The Board orders the Friends of Bret Walsh Committee to return the contribution to the Brinkman for State Representative Committee, and to provide the Board with a copy of the check returning the contribution, and the accompanying letter, within thirty days.
The record in this matter and all correspondence is hereby entered into public record in accordance with Minn. Stat. 10A.02, subd. 11.
Dated: April 24, 2003 _________________________________________
Clyde Miller, Chair
Campaign
Finance and Public Disclosure Board