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Ethics Commission Reaches Settlement Agreement

The Ethics Commission settled its investigation into Kyle Loveless for converting more than $100,000 in campaign funds to personal use at its July 7, 2017 meeting.  The agreement requires payment to the Ethics Commission of $10,000 for attorney's fees, costs and other expenses and fees incurred, payment to the State Election Board of $40,000 for the special election to fill his Senate seat, and payment to the General Revenue fund of the balance of his campaign account.  The agreement also prohibits him from ever holding a position paid for with public funds, from being a paid campaign consultant at the state and local levels, and from lobbying or furthering lobbying activities in the State of Oklahoma. The Commission took into consideration that Loveless will pay $112,524.35 in restitution to the General Revenue Fund through criminal proceedings.  Click here for a copy of the settlement agreement.

Registration and Administration Fee Change

On Friday, June 9, 2017, as a result in part to the second consecutive year of cuts of approximately 5% to the Commission’s annual appropriation, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to increase registration and administration fees by $50.  These fee increases become effective July 1, 2017. 

The new registration and administration fee schedule is:

Candidate Committees: $150 per committee

Political Action Committees: $150 per year

Political Party Committees (State): $150 per year (initial registration at any time, annual fee in July)

Political Party Committees (Local): $150 per year if committee makes the following expenditures:

            *Contribution to a state candidate committee

            *Makes one or more Independent Expenditure

            *Makes one of more Electioneering Communications

Lobbyists and Legislative Liaisons: $150 per year

Lobbyist Principals: $150 per year (registered by associated lobbyist(s)) 

Helpful Tips

Rule Change: Candidate Reimbursements

As of May 27, 2017, a candidate committee may reimburse a candidate for campaign purchases made using personal funds, but the reimbursement must occur within 90 days of the original expenditure (Rule 2.43 ). The Campaign Treasurer must maintain receipts and other documents showing the purchase by the Candidate including date, vendor, and description of items purchased on behalf of the committee, and reimbursement to the Candidate.

Note that this reimbursement Rule applies to all candidate reimbursements, including mileage and other travel.  Candidate reimbursements require the candidate committee to report two entries in The Guardian System:

1. In-Kind Expenditure - to the original vendor with a specific description, indicating the product or services rendered in relation to the committee and the candidate’s personal payment for the item.
2. Expenditure – the expenditure type will be a candidate reimbursement, with a specific description that ties it to the in-kind expenditure entry. The description needs to indicate at least the original expenditure and date of the original expenditure.

Example: On June 2, 2017, Candidate John Doe goes to World of Signs to select his campaign logo from several drafts of a logo for campaign signs.  World of Signs is running a one day special of 25% off all purchases.  John Doe uses personal funds to purchase signs with his chosen logo from World of Signs for $125 and intends to be reimbursed from the campaign. June 25, 2017, John Doe gives the treasurer of his committee the receipt from the purchase along with the paperwork showing the design of the signs from World of Signs. Treasurer issues John Doe a check on the campaign account for $125. 

Treasurer will report two transactions during the 2^nd quarter report filing period:           

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Guardian YouTube Videos and Guides - Click here to see The Guardian "Publications" page with demonstration videos and step-by-step instructions.

2016 Election: Candidate Committee Contribution and Expenditure Report Due

2016 Non-Candidate Committee PAC or State Party Committee

Non-2016 Election Campaign Committee Contribution and Expenditure Report Due

Next Legislative Lobbyist or Legislative Liaison Report Due

Next Executive Lobbyist Report Due