Moseley Braun Failed to Disclose How $315K in Campaign Funds Were Spent

By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 30, 2011 9:15PM

If elections were run by how dysfunctional a political campaign was run, we'd be writing about Chicago Mayor Carol Moseley Braun right now. The former United States Senator didn't run the smartest mayoral campaign, but she certainly ran the most entertaining one.

Like a dry rash that flares just as you're ready to vacation in the Caribbean, Braun's campaign continues to deliver in the "WTF?" The Illinois Board of Elections hasn't heard from Braun or her campaign regarding how $315,000 in campaign funds were spent, a requirement under state law. Board of Elections officials told Carol Marin that Braun raised $323,000 for her mayoral campaign as of an April 15 filing, spending all but $6,000 of that.

Instead of itemizing expenditures over $150, Braun's campaign listed "Vendors Multiple" for the $315,000, raising the possibility the campaign funds were spent for personal use. But the Board of Elections can't be certain, as they haven't heard from Braun.

Illinois Campaign for Political Reform deputy director David Morrison told Marin he's seen nothing like it. “The basic idea here is that the public has a right to know where the money is coming from and where it is going," Morrison said. “There are laws against personal use of campaign funds, all of that should have applied here. There’s simply no way of knowing if she broke any of those laws.”

Marin was able to reach Braun, who blamed the lack of disclosure on her old friend and former treasurer, Billie Page.

“If Billie Paige neglected to do so, it doesn’t surprise; she is elderly and overwhelmed,” Braun told Marin. Page, a Springfield lobbyist, said in a written statement she resigned from the campaign the same day the disclosure forms were filed and told marin in an email she reminded Braun the report would need to be amended to reflect all expenditures and debts. Nothing like a political hot potato to end the week.