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Thursday, February 05, 2015

John Brown Raised $17,500 in 2014, Failed to List 2013 Campaign Expenses

According to his latest campaign finance report, Northampton County Exec John Brown raised $17,500 last year. But he may need a line of credit because he spent $16,100.

His largest donation, $6,000, came from Charles Chrin and a Chrin executive. I'm sure Chrin just loves the government by consultant example set by Brown, and isn't interested in anything. He also took $2,000 from Jason Mezzutti, a construction manager.  Aside from Chrin it appears that none of these contributors is local. with the exception of $250 in chump change from Lou Pektor.

What I find disturbing is that Brown failed to report expenses that were obviously incurred in his 2013 race. $9,500 worth of last minute ads, along with a payment to a political consultant.

Brown paid $7,000 to Wavelength Communications, an ad agency to which he apparently owed money from the general election. His failure to report this expense at that time, if only as an unpaid debt, is deceptive and may violate campaign finance laws. There is also a payment to political consultant Gary Birks for $2,500, and expense that should have been noted in the election or post-election report. He also paid Andy Daub for some get-together at the Pomfert Club in Easton.

Brown's failure to list these expenses as they were incurred deprives the public of the ability to follow the money, which is the whole point of campaign finance reporting.    
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13 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2015 at 12:47 AM

    so if he failed to report 9500, how would you know it was spent?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bernie O'HareFebruary 5, 2015 at 12:49 AM

    Because he's reporting it now. It should have been reported last year.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2015 at 2:39 AM

    Stoffa took over $4000 dollars IN a Democratic primary from the former chair of the county Republican party. I wonder what he wanted?

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2015 at 4:41 AM

    They are all in it for something. People don't pony up that kind of cash without expecting something. Stop the bullshit!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    Good thing we live in a civilized community or else: Off with his head!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2015 at 6:22 PM

    Another John Brown misstep? Can't he follow any rules? Can't any of his high paid lackeys clue him in to the rules he should be following? Or is he above the rules? I think it should be 'Off with his head'. That day might be considered a holiday, much like Bastille day in France.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2015 at 8:53 PM

    2:39 - That's a total lie.

    ReplyDelete
  8. john stoffaFebruary 5, 2015 at 9:44 PM

    Bernie this is john stoffa commenting on 2;39 above. How I wish I had gotten donations like that instead of using $14,000 of my own money to get elected. The comment is entirely false. I don`t even know who was chairman or chairwoman at the time. Please 2;39 stop spreading falsehoods. How do you live with such dishonesty?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Bernie O'HareFebruary 5, 2015 at 9:47 PM

    They don't care John. They are not like you at all.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2015 at 11:15 PM

    So where is the DA on these campaign reporting violations?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bernie O'HareFebruary 5, 2015 at 11:18 PM

    I have not even decided if this is something that warrants a complaint to the elections office,let alone the DA. If I conclude this requires an explanation, i will ask the elections office to impose a fine. I have no interest in pursuing criminal sanctions unless there is much more evidence than this.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 4:38 AM

    Oh jonnie boy, was curious and did some checking, its good you have a hobby. However, you should really re-read all those campaign reports from 2005. Maybe you are right. Then again.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:11 PM

    4:38 - you're the one making the groundless accusation. Put up or shut up.

    ReplyDelete

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