SEEC Denies First Grant Application
by Christine Stuart | Aug 18, 2010 10:56am
(4) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Election 2010
(Updated) The State Elections Enforcement Commission, which has been criticized for being too lenient when it comes to approving public funds for candidates, denied its first grant application of the 2010 election cycle.
At its meeting Wednesday, the commission voted to deny Republican Christopher LaRocque’s application for a $26,000 public campaign grant to run against the Democratic incumbent, Rep. Chris Lyddy of Newtown.
“There were material improprieties made on the application,” Dianna Kulmacz, Citizens’ Election Program audit director, told the commission.
Charles Urso, a former FBI agent and lead investigator in the SEEC case, said there were at least 18 straw contributors listed on the application which were funded by the solicitor.
According to a complaint received by the commission, Lyddy campaign manager Sarah Hemingway said she asked Katherine Pineau, the owner of Katherine’s Kitchen in Newtown, how Lyddy could regain the support of her family. Pineau told Hemingway that her family loved Chris Lyddy and that he had not lost their support. Hemingway then asked Pineau why her sons, Ryan, Cory, and Connor, had given $5 each to Mr. LaRocque’s campaign.
After speaking with her sons, Pineau told Hemingway that her sons hadn’t contributed any money to LaRocque’s campaign. Her son told her the campaign was only looking for signatures.
Beth Rotman, executive director of the Citizens’ Election Program, said more than 10 percent of the 150 contributions were falsified, which allowed the commission to deny the application with prejudice. That means LaRocque can’t reapply for the money.
LaRocque, 26, said his campaign worker made a mistake and his campaign takes full responsibility for it. He said the worker didn’t understand some of the rules. However, LaRocque said he’s not going to appeal.
“I’m not concerned about it at all,” LaRocque said in a phone interview.
“It is deceitful. It is disappointing. It is fraud. It is exactly what we don’t need in Hartford,” said Hemingway. “Newtown deserves better.”
LaRocque said Newtown does deserve better and he’s running to bring “common sense” to Hartford. He said the complaint isn’t going to impact his campaign and he’s going to continue pounding the pavement and talking to voters about the issues that impact his town and the state.
In 2008 the commission denied two grant applications.
(4) Comments
posted by: mmms92 | August 18, 2010 6:29pm
Have there been any talks of criminal charges against LaRocque?
posted by: Anonymous85 | August 21, 2010 2:30am
The Lyddy campaign seemingly filed a complaint the day after LaRocque applied for the state campaign funds…seems like they were scared of their opponent and happened to get lucky when some of the donations turned out to be straw donations. Although perhaps LaRocque should have studied the donations more carefully, the volunteer in question made the mistake costing LaRocque a lot here. Perhaps the public should learn the real story before judging an intelligent, trustworthy, wonderful candidate that got stuck in a bad situation caused by people working for him.
As for the idea he knowingly committed fraud, this is ridiculous. There was no indication the signed forms from people donating money were empty promises without an actual donation. That is partially the donors fault for not following through with payment they promised. If anything, they are the ones in breach of a signed contract and they should be brought up on charges.
posted by: Pete Sandler | August 21, 2010 11:50pm
So Mr. Anonymous85 seems to think that falsifying over 10% of the signatures asking the state for $25,000 is no big deal? If you really felt that way, you would have posted using your real name. It’s fraud - plain and simple. Local candidates choose friends, family, and close political allies to work on their campaigns. Clearly, Mr. LaRocque doesn’t have the common sense to surround himself with people who believe following the law is important. This event clearly shows that Mr. LaRocque is neither intelligent, trustworthy, or wonderful; nor deserving of representing Newtown. Trust starts from the beginning. Once broken, it is gone forever.
posted by: Kyle | August 18, 2010 5:07pm
I didn’t realize ‘common sense’ included lying to constituents about what they were signing. I also didn’t realize ‘common sense’ included fraudulently attempting to secure almost $30,000 from the state under false pretenses.
Someone forgot to tell the staffer that a donation means the donating party gives you something. Though, I think he had the ‘common sense’ to know.
In any other venue, this action is criminal.