Candidates' staff workers charged with reporting violations
Two county school board employees cited by state
by Daniel Valentine | Staff Writer

http://www.gazette.net/stories/04162009/greenew184017_32472.shtm

Campaign workers for seven Prince George's County candidates are facing criminal charges for failing to file timely finance reports for the past three years.

The people cited in the April 1 round of charges by the state prosecutor's office include employees for school board members Ron Watson (At large) and Pat Fletcher (Dist. 3). Derrick Coley, a deputy chief of staff for County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), and Earl Adams, a staffer for Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D), were also cited. Coley and Adams ran unsuccessfully for offices in the 2006 race.
Senate candidate George Seymore and former school board candidate Belinda Smith were also charged, along with the chairman and treasurer for failed 2006 District 23 Senate candidate Gregory Holmes of Largo.

Seventy-seven treasurers and chairmen of candidates' committees across Maryland were charged in the April 1 round of criminal summons, according to a statement from prosecutors. In some cases, candidates served as their own treasurers or chairmen. The charges carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail or a $25,000 fine.

In each case, the candidate committee employees failed to meet state deadlines for submitting regular reports on fundraising activities to the state Board of Elections for about three years. Most of the candidates cited last ran for office in 2006.

Lead prosecutor Shelly Glenn said the charges were issued at the request of the state Board of Elections. A statement from the prosecutor's office noted that the charges came "after significant efforts" to get committees to update their reports.

Candidates reached last week said they have taken steps to update and settle the issues after charges were filed. State law requires candidates to file annual reports on their accounts, as well as before and after each primary and general election, even if no money has been raised or spent.

"They were innocent mistakes," said Fletcher, whose campaign employees were cited for failing to file updated reports on her 2006 campaign fund of $174 since the 2006 school board election.

Reached by phone, Adams, Coley, Fletcher, Seymore and Watson each said they were not aware that further reports were required, and that they had stopped raising funds after the 2006 election. The candidates said they were taking steps to pay off late fees and update their records.

"I'd like to apologize to my supporters for any embarrassment," Coley said.