The Maryland Democratic Party today sent a letter to the Maryland State Board of Elections to report a potential violation of state campaign finance laws by ex-Governor Robert Ehrlich’s campaign committee and his lobbying/law firm employer Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice.
As explained in further detail in the letter, Bob Ehrlich has apparently been using the resources of the firm to promote his candidacy for state office, but Ehrlich’s authorized campaign finance entity, Bob Ehrlich for Maryland Committee, has not reported receipt of any in-kind contribution from the law firm.
Former Ehrlich press secretary, Henry Fawell, who was hired by Ehrlich to work at Womble Carlyle, has continually served as Ehrlich’s spokesman on matters bearing directly on Ehrlich’s potential candidacy, while being paid by Womble Carlyle. Mr. Fawell has even admitted ‘to being on the Womble clock’ when circulating e-mails to reporters attacking Governor O’Malley.
"One thing is clear, Bob Ehrlich doesn't seem to think that he needs to follow rules or the law," said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Susan Turnbull. "Ehrlich can't accept resources from his corporate law firm to manage his candidacy without reporting it as an in-kind contribution. It appears that he has violated state campaign finance laws and continues to violate the public trust. Bob Ehrlich needs to explain why he doesn't think campaign laws apply to him."
Ehrlich is developing a disturbing trend of ignoring or violating any number of laws and regulations for his personal or political gain. These campaign finance allegations come on the heels of Ehrlich promoting his slots client over the airwaves in apparent violation of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “Payola Pundit” rules.
As explained in further detail in the letter, Bob Ehrlich has apparently been using the resources of the firm to promote his candidacy for state office, but Ehrlich’s authorized campaign finance entity, Bob Ehrlich for Maryland Committee, has not reported receipt of any in-kind contribution from the law firm.
Former Ehrlich press secretary, Henry Fawell, who was hired by Ehrlich to work at Womble Carlyle, has continually served as Ehrlich’s spokesman on matters bearing directly on Ehrlich’s potential candidacy, while being paid by Womble Carlyle. Mr. Fawell has even admitted ‘to being on the Womble clock’ when circulating e-mails to reporters attacking Governor O’Malley.
"One thing is clear, Bob Ehrlich doesn't seem to think that he needs to follow rules or the law," said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Susan Turnbull. "Ehrlich can't accept resources from his corporate law firm to manage his candidacy without reporting it as an in-kind contribution. It appears that he has violated state campaign finance laws and continues to violate the public trust. Bob Ehrlich needs to explain why he doesn't think campaign laws apply to him."
Ehrlich is developing a disturbing trend of ignoring or violating any number of laws and regulations for his personal or political gain. These campaign finance allegations come on the heels of Ehrlich promoting his slots client over the airwaves in apparent violation of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “Payola Pundit” rules.