Questions remain with Malone, Altes contribution reports

Questions remain with a campaign finance report filed by Rep. Stephanie Malone, R-Fort Smith, and the campaign reports of Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, present a similar question about contribution violations.

Malone on April 15 filed a March campaign contribution report with the Secretary of State’s office that showed Michael Carter donating $1,500 in March on top of a January donation of $1,500. Contributions are limited to $2,000 per election (primary elections, runoff, special election, general election). On both reports, Malone shows the $1,500 marked for the primary election — a clear violation.

Malone on April 28 filed an amended report. The amended report is marked as a report for the primary election, and indicates the Carter contribution (dated March 30) is for the general election. However, the amended report continues to show the Carter contribution of $1,500 as a total in the primary election contribution totals.

Graham Sloan, executive director of the Arkansas Ethics Commission, said Malone’s collection of general election contributions during the primary election cycle is legal. Candidates may raise money within two years of having a reasonable belief that their name may appear on the ballot.

Sloan said the commission does advise candidates “to segregate that (general election) money and not use it” during the primary election. Also, Sloan said, the candidates should file separate reports for election contributions — meaning Carter’s March 30 donation of $1,500 should have been placed on a general election report and not on Malone’s amended primary election report.

Altes has the same problem with this campaign reports and, coincidentally, donations from Carter — an attorney with Stephens Production and former president of Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corp. — create the problem.

According to Altes’ reports, Carter donated $2,000 on June 25, 2009, $1,000 on Feb. 22, and $1,000 on March 29. The total of $4,000 in contributions are not marked on the reports a a primary or general election contribution.

The City Wire sent the following note and question to Altes: “Your reports do not indicate if they are for primary or general, but since they are filed on reports marked for the primary election, the assumption is that they are primary funds. If this is the case, the Carter contributions exceed the limit by $2K. Do you plan to amend the campaign contribution reports?”

Altes responded: “I dunno I guess I will consult with Ethics if you think I need to. All that is needed is to check the box, right?”

The City Wire responded by repeating the originally question and adding the following statement: “One of your obligations as a candidate and officeholder is to be aware of the campaign finance contribution rules.”

Altes responded: “Yes, I guess my bookkeeper forgot or failed to check the appropriate box on the filing form.”

The City Wire will monitor the Arkansas Secretary of State Web site to see how or if the Malone and Altes reports are amended. (Link here to search financial disclosure and contribution reports.)