Complaint Filed Against Len Munsil

The Arizona Democratic Party has filed a complaint with the Arizona Secretary of State, against gubernatorial candidate Len Munsil, citing the failure of his campaign website to identify the source of its funding. Arizona Revised Statute § 16-912(A) requires that campaign literature &/or advertisements which expressly advocate for the election or defeat of a political candidate identify its source of funding. Section § 16-912(A) reads:

“A political committee that makes an expenditure for campaign literature or advertisements that expressly advocate the election or defeat of any candidate or that make any solicitation of contributions to any political committee shall be registered pursuant to this chapter at the time of distribution, placement or solicitation & shall include on the literature or advertisement the words ‘paid for by’ followed by the name of the committee that appears on its statement of organization or $500 exemption statement.” Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-912(A)(emphasis added).

Democrats attached photocopies to their complaint of www.lenmunsil.com as it appeared online on April 17th, 2006 and May 30th, 2006. An electronic copy of the May 30th, 2006 photocopy can be viewed at: http://azdem.org/munsilweb5-30.jpg.

“As is clear from these records, Mr. Munsil’s campaign has failed to follow the plain language of Arizona law,” said Arizona Democratic Party Chairman David Waid. “On behalf of the citizens of Arizona & the Arizona Democratic Party, I respectfully request that this matter be investigated & the appropriate penalty be imposed.

”Under Arizona Revised Statute § 16-912(E), a person or committee who violates the disclosure requirements of § 16-912, “is subject to a civil penalty of up to 3 times the cost of producing & distributing the literature or advertisement.”