The website Gotham Gazette, published by the pro-government reform Citizens Union Foundation, says it’s found Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren apparently using funds from her Political Action Committee to fund her re-election campaign. And the Gazette says a study of her campaign finance records shows she has repeatedly accepted over-the-limit contributions from businesses.
The Gazette says Warren’s PAC has raised more than $325,000, and appears to have spent more than $105,000 on campaign-related activities, mostly the mayor’s ball at the Convention Center which Warren promoted on her campaign website.
Former Police Chief James Sheppard, who is challenging Warren in a primary, filed a formal complaint with the State Board of Elections. His letter charges the PAC and Warren’s campaign committee have common leadership and operational control.
Warren’s other challenger, Rachel Barnhart, says this shows the need for campaign finance reform and also said Sheppard is sitting on a similarly huge campaign nest egg.
PACS can accept virtually unlimited amounts of money, but political campaigns in Monroe County can only accept about $8,500 every four years from an individual donor. PACS may coordinate with campaigns, but count as donors when they contribute directly to campaigns and are supposed to obey the County Board of Elections limits.
The reform group Common Cause is questioning Mayor Warren’s arrangements. The state elections board won’t say if it’s investigating.
Most of the big donors to Warren’s PAC are the city’s big real estate companies including Buckingham Properties and Winn Development. Others include unions such as the SEIU local 1199.