VIDEO: 150 Days Late, Josh Mandel Unbelievably Still Refusing To Follow The Law And Disclose Personal Finances

New Video Highlights Mandel’s Ever Changing Excuses For Violating Ethics In Government Act

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Ohio’s ethically challenged Treasurer Josh Mandel has unbelievably still refused to disclose his personal finances and has now been violating the Ethics In Government Act for more than 150 days. Today, the Ohio Democratic Party released a video highlighting our absentee Treasurer’s ever changing excuses for refusing to come clean with Ohioans about his personal finances.

• June 20, 2011: “We plan on filing the report very soon”
• August 30, 2011: Needs to “finish consulting with Senate officials about some compliance issues”
• September 19, 2011: “Wife’s Income Slows Financial Disclosure Report”
• October 14^, 2011: What’s today’s excuse Josh?

Personal Financial Disclosure Reports for candidates are due within 30 days of becoming a candidate or by May 15^th, whichever date is later.  Mandel filed his campaign committee on April 6th, 2011 with the FEC, and as a result his PFD report was due May 15th, 2011.

**WATCH THE VIDEO:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkX1ejC1mx8

“For more than 150 days Josh Mandel has refused to disclose his personal finances and no matter the excuse, the lack of transparency Ohioans are seeing from our absentee Treasurer is unacceptable,” said Ohio Democratic Party Press Secretary Justin Barasky. “It’s far past time for Josh Mandel to finally come clean with Ohioans, stop breaking the law, and file his Personal Financial Disclosure Report.”

BACKGROUND

Mandel Filed With FEC On April 6, 2011.  According to the FEC, Josh Mandel filed paperwork for his Senate campaign with the FEC on April 6th, 2011.  [FEC, 4/6/11]

Candidates Must File Within 30 Days Of Candidacy Or By May 15th, Whichever Is Later.  According to the instructions for the Personal Financial Disclosure Reports, reports must be filed "Within 30 days after becoming a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Member of the United States Senate, or by May 15 of that calendar year, whichever is later, but at least 30 days before the election, and on or before May 15 of each succeeding year an individual continues to be a candidate." [Senate PFD Instructions, Accessed 6/15/11]

Candidate Is Anyone Who Has Raised or Spent $5,000.  According to the instructions for the Personal Financial Disclosure Reports, a candidate "is an individual: who seeks nomination for election, or election, to Federal office; and has received contributions aggregating in excess of $5,000, or has made expenditures aggregating in excess of $5,000; or the individual has given his or her consent to another to receive contributions or make expenditures on his or her behalf aggregating in excess of $5,000." [Senate PFD Instructions, Accessed 6/15/11]

If Candidates File Over 30 Days Late Candidate Must Include $200 Penalty.  According to the instructions for the Personal Financial Disclosure Reports "Any individual who is required to file this report and does so more than 30 days after the date the report is required to be filed, or, if an extension is granted, more than 30 days after the last day of the filing extension period shall be subject to a $200 penalty (fine). Such penalty must accompany the disclosure report when filed with the Secretary of the Senate and must be made payable for deposit in the U.S. Treasury." [Senate PFD Instructions, Accessed 6/15/11]

Mandel In Violation of The Ethics In Good Government Act…Which Passed In 1978.  The requirement for financial disclosure stems from the 1978 Ethics in Good Government Act.  The law notes on the first page that candidates are required to disclose their personal finances on May 15 or 30 days after becoming a candidate, whichever is later.  [PL 95-521]