Election Board sustains complaint on finance report filings

Jan. 15—ANDERSON — The Madison County Election Board has sustained a complaint against the Republican Party’s Lincoln Club and its officers over financial records.

Local resident Katherine Callahan filed a complaint last August alleging the Lincoln Club violated Indiana campaign finance law by not itemizing contributions of more than $100.

Traditionally the Lincoln Club and the Democratic party have not itemized contributions during such events as golf outings and annual campaign events.

According to the complaint, state law requires that donations of $100 or more include the name and address of the donor, the amount and the dates contributions are received.

The Election Board Wednesday sustained the complaint and gave Russ Willis, chairman of the Madison County Republican Party, five days after notice to correct the finance reports filed for 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

“In my opinion the issue is clear,” said Tim Lanane, the Democrat on the Election Board.

Attorney Laureen White, representing Callahan, said the complaint was filed against all the officers of the Lincoln Club.

White said if the Election Board believes there was a violation, it should refer the complaint to a special prosecutor.

Madison County Clerk Linda Smith, a member of the Election Board, said the Lincoln Club should be given five days to cure the defect in the reports.

“There should be an opportunity,” she said.

Connie Gardner served as the GOP member on the Election Board in place of Willis.

Following the decision, Willis said the Lincoln Club has been reporting events on finance reports for 25 years with just the total amount received.

“We believed it was a proper filing,” he said. “It has never been questioned before.

“There was no intent to hide who bought tickets,” Willis said. “When it was brought to our attention that we should itemize all donations over $100.”

He said state law requires the keeping of financial records for three years, so it may be difficult to go back further.

White declined to comment following the decision by the Election Board.

Callahan’s complaint states in 2024, Willis, the chairman of the Madison County Republican Party, entered a contribution of $14,820 for the Lincoln Club dinner.

It goes on to state that in 2023, there was a reported contribution of $8,240 from the annual dinner.

The complaint states that in 2022, the contribution from the dinner was $7,600; it was $8,845 in 2021 and $7,700 in 2020.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.

EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel