http://www.newsok.com/article/3131060/


Sat September 22, 2007

Ethics panel looks into GOP fundraising

By Jennifer Mock
Capitol Bureau

Twelve checks from the 2004 election cycle obtained by The Oklahoman on Friday are at the heart of an ongoing investigation by the state Ethics Commission into the fundraising practices of the House Republican leadership.

The checks — most of which are made out to the "Oklahoma Republican Party” and total more than $33,000 — ended up in the Oklahoma County Republican Committee's account. Many of the current and former House members cutting the checks say they thought the money was intended for the state party and went to the county party without their knowledge.

Others say it is common practice for lawmakers without a race in any given election year to write checks to the party to be distributed to candidates who need the money. By writing "Oklahoma Republican Party,” they did not indicate, or in many cases care, where the money went as long as the money got to financially needy GOP candidates, many said.

The Ethics Commission is barred from confirming if an investigation is occurring.

Pam Pollard, chairman of the Oklahoma County Republican Party, said she was barred from commenting because it is a "confidential manner before the Ethics Commission.”


Chairman confirms inquiry
State GOP Chairman Gary Jones confirmed Friday his attorney notified him letters had gone out to several party members about appearing before the Ethics Commission in connection with the investigation.
Jones said he did not know who received the letters. He was not asked to appear. He said he did not receive any of the $33,000 in 2004 and did not know the money was intended for the state Republican Party.

House Speaker Lance Cargill, who as honorary chairman of the Republican state House Committee at the time raised money for House campaigns, has denied wrongdoing, saying he "did not solicit, receive, deposit or expend” any of the checks in question.


What donors said
Six of the 11 lawmakers who wrote the 12 checks also said in a statement that Cargill did not solicit them for the funds and did not try to control how the money would be spent.
•The spokesman for former Rep. Ray Vaughn, who is now an Oklahoma County commissioner, said Vaughan's check was sent directly to Jones' office address. Rick Buchanan said he does not know how it ended up at the county party.

•Rep. John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow, said he wrote a check to the state party.

•Former Rep. Dale DeWitt said he wanted to help GOP candidates. He is not sure where the check ended up, but he knows it went to the candidates who needed it.