Previous Story
20 face fines for missing OPA deadline
|
Posted on Dec 28 2005
Twenty candidates faced fines beginning yesterday for missing the Dec. 27, 2005 deadline for filing of campaign finance report for this year’s election season.
The Office of the Public Auditor has received statements of accounts from only 63 candidates and one political party at close of business Tuesday.
The Commonwealth Election Commission reported yesterday that only 22 candidates and two parties had requested and been granted an extension. They have until Jan. 11, 2006 to file their campaign statements of account.
There were 105 candidates who ran for office in the Nov. 5, 2005 election. This includes 29 candidates from the Republican Party; 27 from the Covenant Party; and 13 from the Democratic Party. There were also 13 independent and 23 non-partisan candidates.
Each candidate or political party whose nomination has been certified by the Election Commission is required to submit a statement of account.
Those who failed to meet the deadline for filing or secure an extension will have to pay $100 for each calendar day that their report is late.
Candidates who refuse to file a report will be charged, and upon conviction, may be fined up to $50,000 or imprisoned for up to one year, or both.
A campaign finance report must show details of any contribution that a party or candidate received, as well as expenses, during the election period.
Contributions include any monetary or in-kind support issued to a candidate to advance his political bid.
A candidate is also required to disclose the name of any contributor who gives a contribution of $100 or more. For parties, the minimum disclosure amount is $500.
