2010.09.15
Watchdog group asks questions about Ware’s campaign spending
The Old Dominion Watchdog — an offshoot of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity — has a post up today looking at what politician can and cannot spend their campaign funds on.
Del. Onzlee Ware, D-Roanoke, is singled out for special attention, most notably using campaign funds for things such as $826 at L’Auberge Provencale, a bed and breakfast in the Shenandoah Valley.
You can read more here.
“In April 2009, Ware paid $250 for a membership to the Taubman Museum of Art and spent $90 on two tickets to a “70’s event” at the Science Museum of Western Virginia. Two months later, he spent $250 on a sponsorship of the Vinton Fall Festival. And in September 2009, he paid $100 for a golf sponsorship to Roanoke Catholic Celtics Golf Classic.
In May of this year, Ware spent $826 at L’Auberge Provencale, a bed and breakfast in the Shenandoah Valley.”
I wonder,would the average person donate to an election if they realized that their hard earned money went to entertainment events instead of directly to the campaign?
This kind of stuff should be illegal,and perhaps it is.Im sure though that Ware as a lawyer feels that hes obeying the letter of the law,although Im sure he also knows that he is violating the spirit of it.
Comment by Jack Mcguire — September 15, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
It’s clear Ware is using campaign funds for personal purposes. I can’t imagine contributing to his campaign knowing he’s going to bed and breakfasts and covering food. How absurd.
Comment by Greg H. — September 15, 2010 @ 3:22 pm
I’m not defending Ware’s actions, but apparently it’s legal, although irresponsible. Another thing that happens with contributions that people don’t think about is that money intended for one candidate is given to another candidate. For example, you donate money to Morgan Griffith who decides to give another Repub in Eastern VA $10,000 from his campaign funds. To me, that’s as deplorable as using it for social events that you wouldn’t attend, “but for being a candidate.”
Comment by Geoff — September 15, 2010 @ 4:00 pm
Sponsorships are acceptable I think. You are using those outlets to campaign and a lot of places like that wont let you go there and hand out literature and shake hands, etc unless you pay like that and are “official”.
Comment by belle — September 16, 2010 @ 12:51 pm