Fleischmann camp addresses FEC filings ahead of election

photo Chuck Fleischmann and Mary Headrick are seen in this composite photo.

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's campaign had until Monday to answer questions the Federal Election Commission raised over the congressman's July quarterly report, and a spokesman said late Monday all issues were addressed.

"The one that's due today will be turned in today. The one that's due Thursday will be as well," said Fleischmann spokesman Brian O'Shaughnessy. "We've been communicating with the liaison with the FEC to make sure everything we are doing is within the protocols. I'm confident with that guidance everything is accurate."

Fleischmann was dogged by FEC questions about his campaign funds during the primary, and in September the campaign was hit with 10 findings involving $12,300 in excessive or illegal campaign contributions, and $37,056 in incorrectly reported disbursements in his July quarterly report. Later that month, the FEC wanted more information about his pre-primary report, too.

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The July quarterly filings show some of the Ooltewah Republican's supporters may have given more than allowed, that some corporate contributions he received weren't legal and that some general election funds were used in the primary. There were 10 findings in all.

Since the filing, at least $3,000 of reportedly illegal contributions has been cleared up. Two checks labeled from Healthcare Services Credit Union came from individuals -- not the credit union.

The pre-primary filings found three additional instances in which Fleischmann's campaign reportedly received excessive funds. The deadline to answer those claims is Nov. 3, the day before the election.

Fleischmann's opponent, Mary Headrick, also got tapped by the FEC for her July quarter. The FEC found two items where Headrick had not properly categorized her disbursements. Headrick filed a corrected form on Oct. 11.

Headrick said last month the questions over her own filings involved much smaller sums.

"When I ate at McDonald's on the campaign trail, I didn't get the address," she said. "Those are things that are really easy to fix."

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

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