State dings Simkins PAC
The State Board of Elections put the George C. Simkins Memorial PAC on inactive status this month. Basically, that means the PAC can't raise or spend money until it clears up what appears to be a paperwork backlog.
Fortunately for the PAC, it looks like it’s going to get cleared up soon.
First, for background, I got a call alerting me to the following paperwork on the SBOE web page:
- Click here to read a letter dated Jan. 31 asking for the PAC's missing 2006 4th quarter report.(PDF)
- Click here to read a letter dated March 8 terminating the committee’s active status.(PDF)
- Click here to read a letter dated April 2 confirming a $500 fine.(PDF)
Like I said, this could have been a lot worse than it is for the PAC, which is named for a dentist and civil rights leader. It has been a fixture on the Greensboro political scene, particularly in the African American community, for years.
"And we're going to stay that way," said Steve Bowden, the PAC's chairman.
He and County Commissioner Melvin "Skip" Alston both told me earlier today that they had filed the paperwork in question and didn't know why the state didn't have it. Neither could explain why they hadn't received the notices from the state and why they didn't know about this until I called them.
"I don't know. It's probably that they're over-worked down there. They probably need some help," Alston said of the state board.
Well, the state board figured it out. The PAC filed their paperwork late and under the wrong name. (It used to be called the Guilford County Citizens PAC). According to the board, the PAC will still have to pay a $500 fine (for filing late) and is still on inactive status until they do.
By the way, when I say it could have been worse, failing to file a campaign finance report is not only subject to a civil penalty but is also a Class 2 Misdemeanor. That's what the following sentence in the March 8 letter is about:
"Further, the State Board of Elections shall consult with and notify this noncompliance to the appropriate District Attorney pursuant to provisions of G.S. 163-278.34 if the Board does not receive the report(s) by 5:00 p.m. on March 16, 2007.
Relevant references to the General Statutes can be found here and here
At any rate, let this be a lesson that campaign finance paperwork is nothing to mess around with.
Comments (5)
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The letters from the state all say "Certified mail, return receipt requested." There should be a paper trail. Has anyone checked?
Posted on April 17, 2007 7:48 AM
The PAC's mailing address has been a PO Box.
My understanding is that one problem for the PAC has been that they weren't checking their PO Box enough. And if they don't check the box, they're not going to get the registered mail slip.
Posted on April 17, 2007 12:34 PM
Curious, Mark. Does this mean that the PAC hasn't checked its mail for donations either? Four months is a long time to let Mr. Gotrocks's check to gather dust. Heck, it could be the $500 they need to pay the failure-to-file fee.
Posted on April 17, 2007 2:48 PM
Elizabeth:
While I would love to pile on here and make that logical leap with you, nothing says donations have to be sent to the same address or by mail at all. Just to be as fair as possible.
Posted on April 17, 2007 5:39 PM
No leap required. Just curious.
Posted on April 17, 2007 7:43 PM