Friday, September 03, 2010

Republicans Guilty of Class B Misdemeanor, Lt Gov Bell Negligent in duties

According to this article in today's Salt Lake Tribune, the Salt Lake County Republican Party forgot to file their campaign disclosure on January 10 of this year.

However, since there is no penalty in state code for this, we'll let it slide. In fact, I should blame Democrats for not pointing this out all this time. I mean, if you can't do something as simple as fill out campaign disclosure reports, what makes you think you can lead? And if you can't bother even looking to see if the opposition has done their duty, are you any more competent?

But, that's another subject for another day.

You see, the Salt Lake County Republican Party also forgot to file their financial disclosure report that was due August 31 (this past Tuesday).

Big deal?

According to state law, it kinda is:

20A-11-508 (Superseded 01/01/11). Political party reporting requirements -- Criminal penalties.
(1) (a) Each registered political party that fails to file the interim reports due on August 31 or before the regular general election is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.


According to the Utah Sentencing Commission, "lass B misdemeanors are punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000."

But, the Salt Lake County Republicans aren't the only ones who have violated this provision:

20A-11-508 (Superseded 01/01/11). Political party reporting requirements -- Criminal penalties.
(1) (a) Each registered political party that fails to file the interim reports due on August 31 or before the regular general election is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
(b) The lieutenant governor shall report all violations of Subsection (1)(a) to the attorney general.


However, the statement of the Lt Governor's office? (from the Trib article)

But there appears to be some question about whether county political parties are required to file financial disclosures at all. Mark Thomas, director of elections for the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, said the law is so ambiguous that county parties could make a compelling case about why disclosure deadlines don’t apply to them.

“It is not explicit in the code that they need to file,” he said


However, as we saw before, the Lt Governor's office job is to forward the complaint to the Attorney General's office, not to wave it off as a simple mistake. If the AG wants to make the ruling that the law is vague, let him. That's his job, not yours.

I want a Lt Governor who will do their job, and properly enforce election law. That's why I'm voting for Sheryl Allen for Lt Governor.

-Bob

7 comments:

Daniel B. said...

Thanks for throwing "innocent until proven guilty" out the door, Bob. It's one thing to say "GOP did X" and it's another thing altogether to say "guilty of a misdemeanor."

Daniel B. said...

But, then again, as you note well: it's the AG's call, not yours....

Ah, the hypocrisy, Bob. The LG can't waive it off, but you can pass judgement?

I recommend you rewrite your headline to reflect reality, not what you hope will happen.

Bob said...

Again, Utah code:

20A-11-508 (Superseded 01/01/11). Political party reporting requirements -- Criminal penalties.
(1) (a) Each registered political party that fails to file the interim reports due on August 31 or before the regular general election is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

guilty. guilty. guilty. not accused. guilty.

They either filed, or they didn't file.

And, the law says the LG has to pass it on to the AG. No ifs, ands,or buts.

JW said...

You're so righteous, Bob. I guess you're pissed at Weston for not pointing out the SLCOReps mistake. If you were watching why didn't you say something, Bob? If you where the chair of the SLCDems I'm sure you could lead more better.

JRWk said...

BTW, Bob. Your candidate page is incomplete. Great record keeping.

Bob said...

My candidates page is something I started, but didn't have time to finish.

However, I would think that a little oppo research is something that SOMEONE in a leadership position could have done a little leg work on the past nine months.

Overall, I have been impressed with the job that Weston has done as Chair. However, when an elected official (which Weston is) needs a little criticism, we shouldn't be afraid to criticize.

Anonymous said...

Everyone's a critic, but no one wants to do the work...you too, bob.