Group questions Smith donations

Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith ignored his obligation to return excessive campaign donations, according to a political watchdog group that is asking state prosecutors to investigate.

Despite several contributions that exceed state limits, Smith?s campaign expense reports do not indicate he has issued any refund checks this election cycle, according to a complaint Common Cause Executive Director Bobbi Walton sent to state prosecutors Monday. Even if he is forced to return the money, his campaign has had the advantage of using the money as interest-free loans in the interim period, she said.

“This is an example of egregious record-keeping, sloppy reporting and a casual and insolent attitude toward the campaign-finance contribution limits,” Walton wrote to prosecutor James Cabezas. “The residents of Baltimore County deserve better.”

The claims are an “unfounded attack,” said Smith?s campaign spokesman Sterling Clifford, who said all but two refund checks have been cut. Clifford suggested the state?s campaign finance database had not been updated to include the expenditures and said that the remaining checks were signed Monday evening. “I appreciate what Common Cause is trying to do, but I think their mission would be betterserved if they contacted the campaign directly first before sending mean-spirited e-mails to prosecutors.”

The state prosecutor?s office, by law, does not disclose its investigations.

Several entries in Smith?s finance report filed last month contain notes that some amounts are “to be returned” and the report?s summary indicates $35,800 has been returned. But itemized listings of his expenditures show only a handful of refund checks, Walton said.

The report shows that 17 individuals and businesses have donated more than the state?s $4,000 limit this election cycle, including the Century Engineering firm, which last week Smith awarded a “Green Renaissance” citation for its environmentally friendly initiatives. The company has donated $7,000 to Smith?s campaign since October 2003.

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