Friday, April 4, 2003
BUTLER, Pa. (AP) -- A Butler County commissioner has returned $2,500 in illegal campaign contributions he received last year, some of which came from companies previously awarded no-bid contracts.
Glenn Anderson, a Democrat seeking his fourth term, said it was an oversight and that no favors were given.
The contributions were discovered by county Controller Jack McMillin, a Republican. McMillin said he saw donations from many incorporated businesses on the report.
"Every commissioner should know these aren't legal to accept," McMillin said.
Incorporated businesses or unincorporated associations, unless formed primarily for political purposes, cannot make contributions to candidates.
Anderson subsequently did his own review.
"I found there were some corporate checks I should not have taken. It was an oversight on my part and my wife's. We made a mistake and we corrected it," Anderson said. His wife is his campaign treasurer.
"That's like trying to stick the toothpaste back into the toothpaste dispenser," McMillin said. He said he would not pursue a complaint.
Candidates who receive illegal contributions and those incorporated businesses or unincorporated associations that make contributions could be charged with a misdemeanor. The offense carries a possible fine of between $1,000 and $10,000.