The East Hampton Town Republican Committee is charging that the East Hampton Conservators, a political action committee founded by the actor Alec Baldwin, violated campaign finance rules by using Conservator funds to directly pay for ads supporting the full Democratic slate.
The allegation is that the PAC placed full-page advertisements in local newspapers directly endorsing candidates, rather than simply supporting candidates through contributions. Republican Committeeman Stuart Jones last week filed a formal complaint with the State Board of Elections.
“I request immediate action to prevent repetition of the improper actions of this ‘PAC’ that are at best duplicitous, and at worst, criminal,” it states.
The committee has released examples, including ads from The Press, endorsing the Democratic candidates.
The Conservators, for their part, state on their website, www.easthamptonconservators.com, that they are permitted by law to raise funds to support political committees and candidates who promote environmental protection and quality-of-life legislation.
“They’re an arm of the Democratic Party,” said Committee Vice Chairman Tom Knobel, adding that he believes they are taking money on “false pretenses.”
The East Hampton Democratic Campaign 2013—led by Larry Cantwell, Job Potter and Kathee Burke-Gonzalez—will hold an “Old-Fashioned Democratic Campaign Rally,” on Saturday.
The event will run from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Neighborhood House at 92 Three Mile Harbor Road in East Hampton.
“All voters are encouraged to come meet the candidates and rally with the Democrats,” reads a party statement.
Free food, including pizza and hot dogs, as well as live music, will be provided.
For more information, the Democrats ask the public to call party Chairwoman Jeanne Frankl at 267-8395.
Colleen Reynolds on Oct 22, 2013