PDF: Andrae McGary's Fiscal Disclosure Statement
Councilman Andraé McGary said Wednesday he would correct his financial disclosure statements after more than $4,400 in contributions were found with no names attached to them.
"It was a simple mistake," McGary said Wednesday morning.
A Chattanooga Times Free Press review of his financial disclosure statements showed four donations to his campaign last year for a total of $4,452.48. But the names of contributors were missing.
State law requires candidates to list names and addresses of those who contribute to their campaigns.
McGary said Wednesday his campaign treasurer mistakenly listed several different contributions as single deposits.
In one instance, he said, there was a $3,000 contribution listed on the disclosure form, although local candidates are allowed to receive donations only up to $1,000. The $3,000 was actually several contributions put into one deposit, he said.
FOUR TRANSACTIONSFour contributions with no names appear on City Councilman Andraé McGary's end-of-the-year financial disclosure records. The contributions and their dates are:* April, 16, 2009: $252* April 17, 2009: $3,000* April 24, 2009: $400.48* Nov. 5, 2009: $800Source: Hamilton County Election Commission
A corrected copy of his financial disclosure form will be given to the Hamilton County Election Commission by Friday with complete information about the contributions, he said.
McGary did not say Wednesday who made the contributions.
Election Administrator Charlotte Mullis-Morgan said Tuesday she "hadn't ever noticed" that McGary's financial disclosure forms did not have complete information.
"What they'll have to do is go back and redo it, and redo it correctly," she said.
She said there is no fine for turning in inaccurate or incomplete forms.
Drew Rawlins, director of the Bureau of Tennessee's Registry of Election Finance, said there are no automatic steps in place for corrections or punishment of those who violate the financial disclosure laws.
"It's up to each county," he said.
He said the only thing candidates are told about a financial disclosure form is to "fill it out correctly," he said. If that does not happen, other corrective measures can take place, but he did not specify what steps could be taken.
McGary was elected April 2009 to the City Council.
Contact Cliff Hightower at chightower@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/CliffHightower.