Smith accused of creating sham slate

Republicans and a political watchdog group are accusing Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith of creating and funding a phony slate committee to circumvent campaign finance laws and funnel $315,000 to the county?s Democratic state?s attorney nominee.

Smith is the sole contributor to a $400,000 campaign fund belonging to the Baltimore County Victory Slate, which has transferred $315,000 to state?s attorney candidate Scott Shellenberger since August, according to finance records. Maryland laws cap account transfers at $6,000, but does not limit exchanges between candidates on a mutual slate.