N.C. Election Board Fines GOP Group for Ad ($200k)

[Nambe]

The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. Sept. 9, 2004 — The State Board of Elections on Thursday fined the Republican Governors Association nearly $200,000 for an allegedly illegal television ad it ran on behalf of gubernatorial candidate Patrick Ballantine. The elections panel voted 3-2 for the fine, with the board's three Democrats voting in the majority.

The board unaninmously determined last week that association violated state election law by using corporate contributions to pay for the ad for Ballantine, a former state senator running against Democratic incumbent Mike Easley.

The law says such contributions can be used to pay for ads that advocate issues, but not for ads that endorse candidates.

"I think there is a long-standing history in North Carolina that corporate contributions have no place in express advocacy," said Scott Falmlen, executive director of the North Carolina Democratic Party. ..
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[shockingelk]

1. Accountability is so passé

I mean, sure they were in violation, but what should they be held accountable? These are upstanding Republicans who made an honest mistake. Why can't people see that? /sarcasm