New campaign integrity watchdog group achieves success in first case
Denver, Colorado — A non-partisan newcomer to the Colorado campaign ethics and election integrity oversight scene, Campaign Integrity Watchdog, successfully prosecuted their first action, holding a campaign accountable for 10 counts of campaign finance legal violations.
Matt Arnold, founder and director of Campaign Integrity Watchdog, said,
“Coloradans deserve better from those running for elected office. It is well known that our campaign finance system is a convoluted mess—but rules must apply equally to all parties running for elected office in our state. In fact, the candidate affidavit all candidates must sign says they will honor the rules. Ignorance of the law is no excuse – particularly from those sworn to follow and uphold the law.”
The Committee to Elect Tony Spurlock for Sheriff, a candidate committee for an individual running for sheriff as a Republican in Douglas County, was found guilty on February 11, 2014 of 10 counts of violating Colorado’s Fair Campaign Practices Act, failing to disclose information required by law on large contributions and campaign expenditures.
“At the end of the day, Judge Robert Spencer granted considerable leniency to the defendant, counting all the violations together as one and reducing the potential $40,500 fine to $4,050, but I believe justice was served, upholding the integrity of Colorado’s campaign finance rules,” concluded Matt Arnold.
Campaign Integrity Watchdog is a non-partisan, closely-held entity that seeks to promote the integrity of Colorado’s campaign finance law through three distinct service offerings: watch (campaign finance management & reporting for candidates and issues committees), guard (protect candidates when campaign finance complaints are filed against them), and pursue (hold flagrant offenders accountable for campaign finance statutory and regulatory violations).
For additional detail and information on the campaign finance complaint and ruling, click here.
Campaign Integrity Watchdog 