Zeldin Campaign Investigated Over Charge of Coordinating With Super PACs

[lapucelle]

Zeldin Campaign Investigated Over Charge of Coordinating With Super PACs

A State Board of Elections investigation was stalled when two Republican board members were absent from a vote to request subpoena power.

New York’s top elections watchdog is investigating whether the campaign of Representative Lee Zeldin, the Republican nominee for governor, violated state law by coordinating with a pair of super PACs supporting his candidacy, according to two people familiar with the inquiry.

Michael L. Johnson, the chief enforcement counsel at the State Board of Elections, initiated the preliminary investigation following reporting by The Times Union of Albany and a formal complaint by the New York Democratic Party documenting individuals who may be working for both the super PACs and Mr. Zeldin’s campaign in a prohibited manner.

snip====================================================================

The super PACs have played a significant role in Mr. Zeldin’s political success, raising more than $12 million dollars to spend on TV ads amplifying his campaign message and attacking Ms. Hochul this fall in terms that mirror those of his campaign. Without the groups’ efforts, the governor would be outspending Republicans five-to-one on advertising.

snip====================================================================

The New York State Democratic Party formally filed a complaint against the Zeldin campaign a few days after the Times Union report was published.

Other potential areas for legal scrutiny have emerged since them.

Mr. Zeldin himself has openly welcomed the outside support, describing his own campaign efforts and that of the groups as one shared mission. But on Monday, he went further, directly urging donors on a call hosted by the Republican Governors Association to contribute large sums to the super PACs, according to a recording of the call obtained by The Times Union.

On Tuesday, Democrats filed a separate complaint to Mr. Johnson about the Republican governors group itself, arguing that the $1.2 million it had directed to Save Our State in recent weeks ran afoul of New York law. The group appears to have made the donations without registering a political entity in the state or disclosing its donors, as required under New York law.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/27/nyregion/zeldin-super-pac.html

[NBachers]

1. And, conveniently, "two Republican board members were absent from a vote to request subpoena power."

[ashredux]

2. Breaking the law....The GOP says, " So want?"

It’s hard to believe so many Republicans are plain and simply corrupt. Cheating, and breaking the law, or now the primary plank of the party.

[BComplex]

3. The only way republicans win is when they cheat.

That's the type of person who gravitates toward this despicable party.

[SheltieLover]

4. Kicking for visibility

[Karma13612]

5. I fear this info is being exposed too late

To have any effect on the outcome and on blunting their corrupt actions prior to next Tuesday.

If NY winds up with Lee Zeldin, it will be a national disgrace.

The polls are too GD close for my liking.

[UTUSN]

6. K&R

[Fullduplexxx]

7. Another cheatin con