SBE Sends More Disclosure Letters

The State Board of Election promised to take a closer look at the financial disclosures forms of the big out-of-state groups pouring money into the Virginia gubernatorial race, after discussing the Democratic Governor's Association's forms were incomplete. And now it has.

After examining submissions, Elections Secretary Nancy Rodrigues said today that the board sent letters today to three organizations, warning them that their submissions might be incomplete. Rodrigues said one of those groups, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, has already satisfied the board that its submission is, in fact, complete.

The board is waiting to hear back from the other two, she said, the Presidential Coalition LLC, which supports conservative candidates including Bob McDonnell, and the Republican Party Leadership Committee.

In each case, the organizations submitted reports without identifying donors who gave the groups $2,500 or more, as required by Virginia law. She said letters will go out to any group reporting significant expenditures but no donations, on the theory that groups spending a lot must also be taking in a lot.

In AFSCME's case, the union--which is backing Terry McAuliffe--already satisfied the board that it collects its money from dues paid by thousands of members. Each of those contributions is well below the $2,500 limit that requires discloare.

Groups that receive the letters have 10 days straighten out the issue with the board. If they do not, they face automatic fines.