Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith?s campaign vehemently defended itself against claims he kept contributions that exceeded state limits, providing The Examiner with a list of expenditures that indicate all but $400 has been returned to donors.
Copies of Smith?s two most recent finance reports posted on an online database indicate he has not issued any refund checks this election cycle, prompting political watchdog group Common Cause of Maryland to ask state prosecutors on Monday to investigate. While Smith campaign spokesman Sterling Clifford couldnot explain the absence of the checks on the database, he provided a list of expenses that reconciled all but four of 17 discrepancies identified by Common Cause Executive Director Bobbie Walton.
