Halteman-Harwell Violated Federal Law
Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke called on potential gubernatorial candidate Beth Halteman-Harwell to explain to voters the circumstances surrounding her violations of federal campaign finance law as chairman of Tennessee Republican Party. In news reports, Halteman-Harwell has alternately dismissed her misappropriation of $335,000 in political contributions as a “bookkeeping error” and an “accounting procedural mistake.” Tuke said Halteman-Harwell needs to provide details about the infractions, including names of individual donors and political action committees (PACs) associated with the illegal contributions, and explain how the misappropriated funds were spent.
“Glossing over $335,000 in illegal contributions and calling it a ‘bookkeeping error’ is something that might happen at Enron or WorldCom,” Tuke said. “But Tennesseans expect more from their elected officials. If Beth Halteman-Harwell is really contemplating a bid for governor, she’s going to need to be more upfront with Tennessee voters.”
Earlier this year, the Federal Election Commission slapped the Tennessee Republican Party with the largest fine ever issued by the agency under its alternative dispute resolution program as a result of Halteman-Harwell’s violations. For more information, check out Tuke’s “open letter” on the issue and the Federal Election Commission’s files on the matter.
