State candidate Charlie White faces new
allegation of campaign violation
Oct 28, 2010
Once again, Democrats are trying to get criminal charges brought against Republican secretary of state candidate Charlie White. And once again, the Fishers man is saying he simply made a mistake.
This time, White's campaign mailed material promoting White but didn't disclose who paid for the mailings, which is required by law.
Keith Clock, chairman of the Hamilton County Democrats, said he sent a complaint to the Hamilton County prosecutor's office today after he received one of White's campaign mailers.
Andrew Greider, spokesman for White's campaign, said the campaign paid for the mailer, which was sent to voters earlier this month, but didn't put that information on the ad because of an editing error.
"This was a simple mistake that was made during the editing process, and was clearly unintentional as all our other print literature has the disclaimer," Greider said in an e-mail statement. "Any attempt to turn this innocent mistake into a political issue is a gross overreaction."
Intentionally leaving that information out of an ad can be a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year of incarceration and a maximum $5,000 fine, according to state law.
About a month ago, Democrats accused White of committing voter fraud.
White admitted he made a mistake when he used his ex-wife's address to vote in the May 4 primary but claims he didn't do anything illegal.
Two special prosecutors -- a Republican and a Democrat -- are looking into those allegations, but they likely won't be finished before the Nov. 2 election.
If White wins the election and is later convicted of felony voter fraud, he would have to step down.
Clock said the Democrats' latest accusation is a legitimate concern and not just a chance to attack White days before the election.
"I don't think it's a political stunt, it's just a matter of following the law," Clock said. "I'm just bringing up the fact that this mailer was sent out illegally and no one knows whether Charlie paid for it or whether he approved it."
Follow Star reporter Carrie Ritchie on Twitter at twitter.com/CarrieRitchie. Call her at (317) 444-6041.
|