A complaint from the state Republican Party has failed to convince the executive director of the state Campaign Spending Commission that the national Democratic Party improperly contributed to the state Democratic Party. GOP complains about
Democratic finances
By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.comThe GOP called a news conference yesterday to complain that Democrats were in violation of the campaign spending laws. Micah Kane, GOP chairman, noted that earlier this week, Terry McAuliffe, Democratic National Committee chairman, was quoted as saying the national party gave $50,000 to the local Democrats and that seven national staff members were here.
Kane said that state law limits national party contributions to a local party to $50,000, so with the seven paid staffers, the DNC exceeded the contribution limit.
Lorraine Akiba, local Democratic Party chairwoman, however, said the DNC has given only $25,000 and that only three of the seven workers were paid. The three were paid by the local Democratic Party and not by the national committee, she said.
"We know the law and we did not violate it," Akiba said.
Bob Watada, Campaign Spending Commission executive director, said he discussed the allegations with the Democrats' campaign treasurer and said he was not going to pursue it unless Kane was filing a formal complaint.
Kane, however, said he was not convinced that the Democrats were telling the truth.
"It is evident what they are saying is not true. The DNC has a presence in Hawaii. Someone is lying, whether it is Chairman Akiba or McAuliffe," Kane said.
