Lucas Co GOP 2 months late with amended report

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO - The Lucas County Republican Party is more than two months outstanding with filing its amended 2009 semi-annual campaign finance report.

Linda Howe, director of the Lucas County Board of Elections, said in the board decided to give the Republican Party more time to amend its report in a meeting on Dec. 8.

"We decided at our meeting to have our campaign finance people send them another 21-day notice to amend since there was some correspondence from the party. They need to supply the receipts within 21 days or it will be referred to the Ohio Elections Commission," Howe said.

"The law says the board can set a policy on what they are going to do. However you treat one you have to treat them all," she said. "We always try to work with people before we refer them. Always try give people one last phone call or notice."

The Board of Elections sought advice from the Secretary of States office on the issue, Howe said.

"There is some flexibility as a practice in campaign finance as long as they are showing good faith trying to comply. If it comes to a point where people are unresponsive, referrals are eminent," said Secretary of State Press Secretary Jeff Ortega.

The Lucas County Republican Party filed its semi-annual campaign finance report on July 31 and received a letter of 21-day notice to amend the report on Sept. 11.

In the letter, the Lucas County Board of Elections requested "receipts for the reimbursements for Jon Stainbrook in the amount of $2534.98 and Meghan Gallagher for the amount of $600," that were reported in the semi-annual report statement of expenditures.

"I am working to provide you with any required information," replied James Damas, Lucas County Republican Party treasurer, in a letter to the Board of Elections received Oct. 8.

A second 21-day notice letter for the outstanding semi-annual report was sent Dec. 2 by certified letter.

Damas could not be reached for comment.

The first notice was sent out in September, although the report was filed in July, because the campaign finance reports take a while to go through, Howe said.

"We have two people looking over in campaign finance, one person double checks the other to make sure they didn't miss anything. The number reports they have to go over takes some time to get through." Howe said.

The Lucas County Democratic Party received a notice to amend its semi-annual report on Aug. 10 and turned in an amended report Aug. 27.

(The Toledo Free Press is a FOX Toledo News media partner)