Webb’s campaign finance report contains two apparent violations

UPDATED AT 6:25 P.M.

FRANKFORT — Democrat Robin Webb’s latest campaign finance report for a state Senate election in northeastern Kentucky contains two apparent violations of state law.

One is a $500 contribution from lobbyist Bill Caylor, executive director of the Kentucky Coal Association. The other is a $1,000 contribution from Justice Real Estate, a Lexington corporation.

State law prohibits lobbyists and corporations from contributing to a legislative campaign.

Webb and her campaign said the Caylor listing was a mistake and the “Justice Real Estate” contribution would be reviewed and corrected if necessary.

Webb is running against Republican Jack Ditty in an Aug. 25 special election for the 18th Senate District seat left vacant earlier this summer when Republican incumbent Charlie Borders resigned to accept Gov. Steve Beshear’s appointment to the Public Service Commission.

The district covers Mason, Bracken, Robertson, Carter, Lewis and Greenup counties.

Webb and Ditty filed 15-day pre-election campaign finance reports earlier this week with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.

Webb, a state representative from Grayson, reported raising nearly $236,000 for the special election while Ditty, a Greenup County dermatologist, reported bringing in more than $134,000.

Webb’s report showed that her campaign received a $500 check from Caylor on Aug. 8 at a fund-raiser.

Webb said Tuesday afternoon that her campaign would return the money to Caylor.

“We picked up on it and took immediate action,” Webb said.

Later, Webb issued a statement that said Caylor’s donation was actually meant for the Kentucky Democratic Party.

“The check was mistakenly accepted and reported by my staff as a contribution to my campaign,” Webb said in the statement.

Webb said she asked her bank to debit her campaign account $500 and to issue a check to the Kentucky Democratic Party, “which Mr. Caylor intended to receive the contribution.”

Caylor said in a phone interview that he gave the check to the Democratic Party and not Webb’s campaign.

“I know a lobbyist can’t contribute to a legislative campaign,” he said.

Caylor said he contributes to both political parties, and “will send a check to the Republican Party tomorrow.”

Webb’s campaign finance report also listed a $1,000 check on July 29 from Justice Real Estate, a corporation.

Owner Bill Justice said the check was “from his pocketbook and not any corporation.”

Sarah Jackson, executive director of the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, said the registry would send a deficiency letter to any campaign that lists a corporation as a contributor.

“Reports can be amended,” she said.

Dale Emmons, a consultant for Webb’s campaign, said Webb will not accept any corporate campaign contributions.

“We accept Mr. Justice’s word that his check was from him and not the business,” Emmons said. “But if we are made aware that the report should be corrected, we will correct it.”

Kentucky Republican Party Chairman Steve Robertson said Webb, who has been running for public office since 1996, is “a seasoned politician and should know better about campaign finance law. Ignorance is not a defense.”

–Jack Brammer

Filed Under: Democratic Party • Elections • KY General Assembly