Formal Complaint Filed Against Rep. Bill Huizenga For Illegal Campaign Statements

Formal Complaint Filed Against Rep. Bill Huizenga For Illegal Campaign Statements

January 5th, 2014
 
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE" 
CONTACT: BRANDON HALL VIA Email at 
WestMIPolitics@GMail.com

>>>Also contact Brandon via:

Facebook

Twitter

"Today, I filed a formal complaint with the Michigan Secretary of State's Office against Rep. Bill Huizenga for multiple violations of Michigan Campaign Finance Act law.

I am calling on Attorney General Bill Schuette and Secretary of State Ruth Johnson to do what should have been done 10 years ago:  investigate Bill Huizenga's illegal campaign statements.

Whether it's an anonymous $8,000 PAC donor, $6,000 in campaign money that's missing, thousands of dollars in payments to Bill himself, or campaign loans he won't explain, Bill Huizenga has refused to answer multiple questions about his "Huizenga House Fund" for years.

At best, Huizenga needs to answer these questions and face a substantial fine.  At worst,  the law says Huizenga could face up to 93 days in jail given his role as treasurer.

Make no mistake, every single allegation in my complaint is fully backed up by official documents, and my complaint also points to multiple, specific sections of the Campaign Finance Act Bill Huizenga has seemingly violated.

I look forward to Attorney General Schuette and Secretary of State Johnson's inquiry into this vital issue. I am confident they will put Michiganders first and get these questions answered."

>>>>>For those who would like to view the full complaint against Huizenga, online CLICK HERE. 

(ALL ATTACHMENTS THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE COMPLAINT ARE AVAILABLE ON SOS WEBSITE HERE) 

>>>AND IN A  READABLE ARTICLE FORMAT HERE

Read BELOW for more information about where the process goes from here:

According to the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, Huizenga has 15 days to respond once he gets official notice the complaint was filed.

Also,  "The secretary of state may extend the period for

submitting a response an additional 15 business days for good cause. The secretary of state shall provide a copy of a response received to the complainant.

 Within 10 business days after the response is mailed, the

complainant  may submit to the secretary of state a rebuttal statement. The secretary of state may extend the period for submitting a rebuttal statement an additional 10 business days for good cause."

The Campaign Finance Act also says that, after that:

"The secretary of state shall investigate the allegations under the rules promulgated under this act.

If the violation involves the secretary of state, the immediate family of the secretary of state, or a campaign or committee with which the secretary of state is connected, directly or indirectly, the secretary of state shall

refer the matter to the attorney general to determine whether a violation of this act has occurred.

(10) No later than 60 business days after receipt of a rebuttal statement submitted under subsection (5), or if no response or rebuttal is received under subsection (5), the secretary of state shall post on the secretary of

state's internet website whether or not there may be reason to believe that a violation of this act has occurred.

If the secretary of state determines that there may be reason to believe that a violation of this act occurred, the secretary of state shall, within 30 days of that determination, post on the secretary of state's internet website

any complaint, response, or rebuttal statement received under subsection
(5) regarding that violation and any correspondence regarding that violation between the secretary of state and the complainant or the person against whom the complaint was filed.

If the secretary of state determines that there may be reason to believe

that a violation of this act occurred, the secretary of state shall endeavor to correct the violation or prevent a further violation by using informal methods such as a conference, conciliation, or persuasion, and may enter

into a conciliation agreement with the person involved. Unless violated, a conciliation agreement is a complete bar to any further civil or criminal action with respect to matters covered in the conciliation

agreement.

The secretary of state shall, within 30 days after a conciliation agreement is signed, post that agreement on the secretary of state's internet website. If, after 90 business days, the secretary of state is unable

to correct or prevent further violation by these informal methods, the secretary of state shall do either of the

following:

(a) Refer the matter to the attorney general for the enforcement of any criminal penalty provided by this

act.

(b) Commence a hearing as provided in subsection (11) for enforcement of any civil violation.

(11) The secretary of state may commence a hearing to determine whether a civil violation of this act has occurred. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in chapter 4 of the

administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.271 to 24.287.

If after a hearing the secretary of state determines that a violation of this act has occurred, the secretary of state may issue an order requiring the

person to pay a civil fine equal to triple the amount of the improper contribution or expenditure plus not more than $1,000.00 for each violation.

(12) A final decision and order issued by the secretary of state is subject to judicial review..."

###
________________________________________________________________________

Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

Facebook

Twitter

:)

Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson