Projo Politics Blog

By Katherine Gregg
Journal State House Bureau

House Speaker William J. Murphy has been hit with at least one $25 fine for late filing of his recent campaign finance reports, according to longtime campaign finance administrator Hank Johnson.

Johnson was unable to locate the violation-letter during a time last week when most of his Board of Elections colleagues -- and much of the state government -- were out on an extended holiday.

But Murphy's online filings show the problem: the initial reports he filed in late October and early December showed nothing but zeroes under the columns where he was required to report his political fundraising and spending activities just before and after the November election.

The amended reports he filed for both reporting periods last week, on the day before Christmas, showed close to $20,000 in previously undisclosed expenditures for the two reporting periods, including $285 in unexplained political "donations" to Prestige Limousine, $2,454 paid to the Quidnesset Country Club for fundraising expenses, $1,369 paid the University Club for "food, beverages and meals," and $2,353 paid to the West Valley Inn for November's closed-door Democratic caucus.

Asked for an explanation late week for his tardiness, Murphy issued this statement: "I have amended my campaign finance report. At the time of the December 2 filing, I had not received my November bank statement. I have since received it and the new report has been filed."

 Tags  Board of Elections campaign finance Hank Johnson House Speaker William J. Murphy

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