Release originally appeared on www.kevinforrestschmidt.com
Transparency in Campaign Finance Critical to Council Decisions:
Howard County, Maryland- Today, I filed a formal complaint with the Maryland Board of Elections to challenge Jon Weinstein’s use of the so-called “LLC Loophole,” which allowed him to circumvent campaign finance limits and accept 9,000 dollars from a single, wealthy developer.
It has been nearly three weeks since a Baltimore Sun article detailed Mr. Weinstein’s questionable tactics, and he has yet to address the issue, to apologize for his actions, or to return the money. That Mr. Weinstein has called this practice “generous” is an affront to our community values of fairness.
Weinstein’s use of the “LLC Loophole” violates our community’s emphasis on free and equal speech and the spirit of the law. Even Governor Martin O’Malley urged for the closure of this loophole, and the state legislature designated the practice illegal after the 2014 election.
Howard County citizens and I have called for increased transparency on all county council decisions and especially on development. Weinstein only offers more of the same confusion that has made life more difficult for residents, especially on the issue of development.
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Contact:
For further information please contact:
Kevin Forrest Schmidt
kevinforrestschmidt@gmail.com
cc: Matthew Alonsozana, Campaign Manager