Campaign funding questions haunt Chuck Fleischmann camp

photo U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann speaks to his supporters after winning the race for the 3rd Congressional District in this file photo.

The voters have spoken, and U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann won his third term with 62 percent of the vote in the Nov. 4 election. But his campaign is still being criticized for its bookkeeping.

On Thursday, Chattanooga resident Dennis E. Norwood mailed a complaint to the Federal Election Commission saying Fleischmann's campaign has "continuously and egregiously violated FEC campaign finance laws" and asking that the FEC investigate the Ooltewah Republican's books.

The complaint criticized Fleischmann's campaign for getting repeated FEC inquiries, saying "Mr. Fleischmann's record shows a propensity of violations ... so much so that there is an appearance of an intent to commit campaign finance fraud." The campaign has received six inquiries in 2014, records show.

It also criticizes the Fleischmann camp for reportedly receiving excessive contributions during the primary election, and for distributing a mailer with a photo altered to show primary challenger Weston Wamp burning a U.S. passport. Norwood said the flier was dishonest and swayed the election in Fleischmann's favor. Fleischmann won the primary by 1 percent of the vote.

The complaint takes issue with a $5,000 primary contribution to Fleischmann from the campaign of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., reported on Fleischmann's pre-primary filing with the FEC.

Election law prohibits candidates from receiving more than $2,000 per election from another candidate's campaign.

Fleischmann spokesman Brian O'Shaughnessy said Friday the campaign had addressed the Bilirakis issue. He said the campaign's post-general election report will reflect a $1,000 reimbursement to Bilirakis' campaign, and a redesignation of $2,000 toward Fleischmann's general election.

The complaint also questions why the Fleischmann campaign had not responded to a Sept. 15 FEC inquiry concerning a $20,000 donation from Texas Opportunity Partnership. In the September report, the FEC called the group an unauthorized joint fundraiser.

Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

O'Shaughnessy had no response to questions about the Texas group or why the campaign had not filed a response with the FEC concerning it.

As of 5:30 p.m. Friday, no response to the original FEC inquiry about Texas Opportunity Partnership had been filed, according to the FEC website. The deadline for a response was Oct. 20.

In an emailed statement, O'Shaughnessy said the campaign is reviewing the complaint and is working with the FEC to answer any questions that remain.

"We've received a copy of Mr. Norwood's complaint and have reviewed our records to ensure that all requests for additional information have been addressed. Additionally, we have been in communication with our liaison at the FEC, who has also confirmed that we have no outstanding issues of concern," O'Shaughnessy said.

Norwood said in the complaint he waited to file his grievance until after the Nov. 4 election to avoid influencing voters.

Contact staff writer Louie Brogdon at lbrogdon@timesfreepress.com, @ glbrogdoniv on Twitter or at 423-757-6481.

Upcoming Events