Yesterday, it was reported that the Colorado Leadership Fund (CLF), a 527 organization involved with the Trailhead Group, was facing yet another complaint filed with Secretary of State’s office.
But this time, instead of allegations of money laundering, it was a failure to adhere to campaign contribution limits that merited the paperwork-a charge that can cost convicted infringers as much as five times the amount of questionable contribution money.
And today, Colorado Citizens for Ethics in Government (CCEG), the nonprofit group that filed the complaint, said that it might be until after the election that an administrative law judge rules on the case. “The Secretary of State has to refer [the complaint] within three days to an administrative law judge, and then the administrative law judge has to assign it for a hearing within fifteen days,” said Chantell Taylor, a spokesperson with CCEG.
Taylor also noted that the CLF could obtain a thirty day extension on the case, pushing a decision until after Election Day. CCEG has asked for an injunction to stop the CLF from spending money until a verdict is decided, however.
“The complaint also asked for an injunction to enjoin them from spending unlawful contributions,” Taylor continued. “So we’re hoping that even if they ask for an extension, we can enjoin them from using the money, and tie up the money that was unlawfully revieved.”
CCEG has claimed that a $136,031 contribution from the CLF to a political committee of the same name violated state law, which states that there is a $500 limit.
