New York Times Report: “Burgess Owens, a Republican House candidate in Utah, accepted at least $135,000 in illegal donations.”
Less than a week out from Election Day, Burgess Owens is making headlines nationally and across Utah for taking more than $135,000 in illegal campaign contributions. According to a New York Times report published yesterday, the illegal contributions Owens accepted make up “about 40 percent of the cash his campaign currently has on hand in the final stretch” ineligible to be spent. While Owens’ campaign told local media yesterday that he is sorting out the issue, the campaign has yet to file any kind of amendment showing that they have refunded the illegal funds. As the Salt Lake Tribune noted, “Even if Owens is able to fix the issue, it has not been done in a timely manner,” which could result in additional hefty fines.
WATCH: KUTV 2News on Burgess Owens’ Illegal Campaign Contributions
Here’s what else they’re saying about Owens’ campaign finance scandal:
Burgess Owens, a former professional football player running as a Republican in one of the country’s tightest House races, accepted more than $130,000 in contributions that were over the legal limit, raising questions in the final stretch of the election about his compliance with campaign finance laws.
…a review of his campaign’s financial disclosures showed that at least $135,500 — about 40 percent of the cash his campaign currently has on hand in the final stretch — was ineligible because the donors had contributed more than the legal limit.
…When campaigns receive donations from individuals that exceed those caps, officials must either refund the illegal contributions or reattribute them. The F.E.C. reached out to the campaign in August identifying one such excessive contribution, which the campaign refunded. But the campaign declined to say whether it had addressed the rest of the donations, or planned to.
…Such violations can come with fines in the tens of thousands of dollars, and can cast a cloud over campaigns. Representative Mia Love, the Republican who held the Utah district before Mr. McAdams, came under fire for accepting excessive contributions, as did Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, in her 2014 campaign.
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With a week to go until Election Day, a report Tuesday by the New York Times says Utah congressional candidate Burgess Owens accepted $135,500 in illegal campaign contributions.
…According to the report, a review of Owens’ financial disclosures showed $135,500 in donations were illegal because of excessive contributions. The Times says the amount is 40 percent of the cash the campaign has on hand leading up to Election Day.
If donations are made over the limit, the campaign must refund the contributions or reattribute them. The report states the Federal Election Commission notified Owens campaign officials in August about one illegal donation which was eventually refunded.
…Similar contributions plagued the campaign of former Rep. Mia Love in 2016 when she was running for a third term against McAdams. The FEC accused Love’s campaign of accepting more than a million dollars in illegal donations.
“From six bankruptcies and unpaid taxes to misusing charitable funds and now campaign finance violations, Burgess Owens has displayed a pattern of financial mismanagement.” said Andrew Roberts, McAdams’ campaign manager. “It’s clear he has taken illegal donations that he cannot spend. He should come clean and refund all the money he is holding illegally.”
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Burgess Owens, the GOP nominee in Utah’s 4th Congressional District, appears to be at the center of a campaign finance controversy with a week to go until Election Day.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that Owens’ campaign accepted more than $135,000 in illegal campaign contributions, which is approximately 40% of the money he has available for the stretch run to the election.
A review of Owens’ campaign finance filing confirms multiple donations over the legal limit stretching as far back as July 1 of this year.
…While the issue is sorted out, Owens could be facing a cash crunch in the final days of the contest as FEC rules say campaigns have to hold on to these donations until they are either reallocated or refunded. Owens had about $325,000 on hand according to his pre-general election filing, which may include the money at the center of the controversy.
…Even if Owens is able to fix the issue, it has not been done in a timely manner. FEC rules give campaigns 60 days for the reallocation or a refund. Many of the donations that are under scrutiny are outside of that window. The most likely punishment for that transgression is a fine.
…This current campaign cash controversy may spawn memories of a similar dispute that enveloped Mia Love’s reelection bid two years ago.
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…The [Owens] campaign has not reported making any refunds in its most recent financial disclosures. The federal limit for campaign contributions is $2,800 per election for individual donors and up to $5,000 for political action committees and parties. Amounts in excess must be refunded if it cannot be attributed to a previous election.
McAdams’ campaign manager, Andrew Roberts said in a statement: “Federal election law is crystal clear and we follow it. We record every contribution, issue all our refunds and file our 48-hour reports. The Owens campaign is behaving as if the laws don’t apply to them.”
Roberts said “from six bankruptcies and unpaid taxes to misusing charitable funds and now campaign finance violations, Burgess Owens has displayed a pattern of financial mismanagement. It’s clear he has taken illegal donations that he cannot spend. He should come clean and refund all the money he is holding illegally.”
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