The Baltimore County lawmaker indicted this month for violating campaign finance laws has not submitted an annual campaign finance report due last week, state election officials said.
County Councilman Ken Oliver will pay $10 each day the report is missing following the Jan. 21 deadline, officials said. Oliver — who was indicted on Jan. 5 on a felony theft charges and several election law violations after he used more than $4,000 in campaign funds for personal loans — is the only councilman yet to submit his legally required report.
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The Randallstown Democrat also owes two campaign finance reports from last year, according to Jared DeMarinis, campaign finance director at the Maryland Board of Elections.
Oliver did not respond to phone messages Monday and his attorney, Paul Gardner, declined to comment. Oliver, who repaid the funds and has denied wrongdoing, apologized in a letter written one year ago to election officials for “mishandling a family emergency.”
Oliver said he was unaware he was violating campaign finance laws. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Baltimore County Circuit Court Feb. 9.
Oliver also is charged with failing to support reimbursements with receipts. In June, July and August of 2007, Oliver wrote several checks to himself — describing the expenses as “fish fry supplies” and a legislative conference — but did not submit receipts to justify the reimbursements, according to the indictment.
Oliver’s most recent finance summary was filed in February 2008, when he reported $20,200 in cash on hand.
