Questions Remain On Hallum’s Financial Reports

As several Crittenden County election officials appear before a grand jury in Little Rock, questions still remain on Hudson Hallum’s very expensive special election campaign for the remaining term of House District 54.

If you recall, I raised quite a few questions on these reports during the special election.  Specifically, Hallum did not file his report in time to be reviewed prior to the election and his campaign stonewalled when asked for a copy.  Once it was filed later that month, it showed basically what everyone was expecting – substantial money was spent on what is commonly known as “walking-around money.”

The campaign paid over $3,000 to Leroy Grant, who was on tape offering to help Hallum’s primary run-off opponent obtain absentee votes.  Hallum continued to pay Grant even after these charges were made public.  He also paid sums of money to a company and people associated with Peanut Consulting.

The reports also show that Hallum took out significant loans during the race.  He took out a total of $66,000 for the special election.  The largest of these loans, which Hallum co-signed with his father, was with Fidelity National Bank in West Memphis.  This is allowed under Arkansas election law, but since his father had already given the maximum contribution to his campaign, if he ends up repaying the loans, then that would be a violation.

Hallum’s most recent report does not show whether these loans have been repaid, as would be required if they had been repaid.  However, they do show an additional $10,000 personal loan in October 2011, which Hallum used to pay Jason Willett’s Jonesboro consulting firm –  FJW Consulting.

If you are keeping score, that is $76,000 in personal loans for Hallum so far, which seems like quite a bit of money to me.  I have called, e-mailed, and Facebooked Hallum for a response and have not heard back, but will update if I do.

As reported this weekend, the FBI has issued several subpoenas to election officials in Crittenden County to appear before a grand jury Tuesday in Little Rock in what is believed to be an investigation regarding this special election.