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Edwards files ammended finance reports |
2009-10-31 |
By Trey Alverson |
Fayetteville city council Post 4 candidate Mickey Edwards has filed ammendments to his two 2009 state-mandated Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports. The amended reports list itemized contributions and expenditures as required by the Georgia Ethics in Government Act.
It was reported in this Thursday’s Fayette County News / Today in Peachtree City that Edwards’ previous disclosure reports contained no itemized expenditures or contributions. State law requires candidates to specifically list all contributions and expenditures that total $101 or more.
Edwards’ said his accountant filled out the original reports and he had trusted that they were done so correctly. When this newspaper questioned Edwards about the incomplete nature of his original reports, the candidate said he would resubmit amended paperwork as soon as possible.
Edwards’ campaign filed the ammendments Wednesday evening.
“Unlike some of the other candidates, I have not taken any donations or campaign contributions because I want the voters to know that I am not beholden to anyone or any special interests,” Edwards explained.
“I never intended to file incomplete campaign disclosure reports.”
Marie Edwards, Mickey’s wife and campaign chair, signed the amended reports. The campaign’s new October disclosure lists total expenditures to date as $9,417.57 -- all of which came from Mickey Edwards himself.
Itemized expenditures listed include just over $3000 to Landmark Communication for a “communication plan” -- presumably telephone surveys and/or mailers. The October report also listed $1,177 for newspaper ads.
Edwards spent an additional $3,000 with Landmark Communication in September, as well as just over $1500 for signs.
The amended reports provide the clarity and detail required by the Georgia Ethics in Government Act, but are not without mistakes. Edwards’ campaign accidentally listed all donations and expenditures as “in kind,” which is reserved for all non-monetary contributions and expenditures.
All local candidates must submit one final Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report after Tuesday’s election.
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Comments:
Randy Gooden writes: Campaign finance disclosures were supposed to keep elections open and above-board. The above story provides a good example of why only those who can afford attorneys and accountants dare enter public life-and even then, there are pitfalls. Does anyone really care whether a donation was in-kind versus cash?
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