Durham facing campaign finance shortfall
The mystery of Jeremy Durham’s campaign finances continues, as the expelled Franklin, Tenn., Republican’s latest report shows a monetary discrepancy of nearly $44,000.
Although Durham was ousted from the General Assembly in September 2016 after The Tennessean and attorney general investigations detailed his sexual improprieties, he still has a campaign account.
On Tuesday, Durham filed his required midyear financial report. The report states his campaign has a balance of $65,204.94 cash on hand. But in January he reported to the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance a balance of $109,147.39.
Instead of including that balance on his latest filing, a handwritten note on the form reads “Ask Moeck.” Jay Moeck is the registry’s investigator, whose probe into Durham’s campaign finances resulted in the recent record-setting $465,000 fine levied against Durham at a June registry meeting.
“To my knowledge no one has ever stated that before,” said Drew Rawlins, executive director of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, in reference to his employee’s name appearing on a campaign finance form.
There was no explanation on the report as to why the balances would be $44,000 different if Durham had spent no money this reporting period.
Durham has denied any wrongdoing, and his attorney, Peter Strianse, previously pledged to appeal the fine. Strianse said Thursday his client hasn’t spent any campaign money since January but wasn’t sure what balance to include on his latest report.
“As the campaign finance
report clearly states, Mr. Durham’s campaign account has had no activity this year,” Strianse said in an email.
“Since we have yet to receive anything in writing from the registry regarding the results of the June 7 meeting, we are unable to divine what number the registry expects Mr. Durham to include in the previous balance section of the report pending appeal of their unsupported decision.”
Registry member Tom Lawless saw Durham’s comment about Moeck as an affront to the state.
“That shows his mindset for an authority that oversees these matters and his total disregard for the law,” Lawless said Thursday.
The registry is still reviewing Durham’s report and his finances. As its audit found, Durham used campaign funds on personal items such as sunglasses, spa products and suits. Durham also misreported thousands in expenses and contributions, according to the registry.
Given the findings of the audit and Strianse’s comment, it’s unclear how much money Durham actually has in his campaign account.
“He is either admitting that as a member of leadership he couldn’t file a report accurately or completely, which in and of itself is an indictment against him for just arrogance or disregard for a system he was a part of,” Lawless said.
“Or he has filed false reports, and that in and of itself is another issue that the registry may or may not have to address.”
Durham closed his political action committee account after his expulsion, but the registry wants to examine how he used those funds as well.
Included on Durham’s sparse report is a reference to a $29,800 outstanding campaign loan. The name “Whitis” is written in parentheses.
David Whitis is a professional gambler who received a loan from Durham’s campaign. While Durham called the loan a legitimate investment in a business venture, the registry called it an unallowable use of campaign funds and fined him for it.
“That shows his mindset for an authority that oversees these matters and his total disregard for the law,” – TOM LAWLESS, MEMBER OF THE TENNESSEE REGISTRY OF ELECTION FINANCE