Contact: Kevin Knuth Chairman Phone 260-424-9690 Cell- 260-402-6086

Allen County Democratic Party

Press Release

Allen County Republican Party, Republican PAC involved in questionable fundraiser
Steve Shine signed questionable document

Fort Wayne, IN, March 2, 2006:  Today, Kevin Knuth, Chairman of the Allen County Democratic Party, questioned information gathered from campaign finance reports of the Allen County Republican Party and one of its largest donors, the Northeast Indiana PAC for Better Government (NIPACBG).

The issue revolves around the “Rally for America” event, which was held in conjunction with the Allen County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner, on May 13, 2005.   The “Rally for America” was promoted as being a non-partisan event.  However, the event was paid for by NIPACBG.  “If the State Election Commission deems the event to be non-political, then the Northeast Indiana PAC for Better Government is in violation of campaign finance laws,” said Knuth. 

The Grand Wayne Center contracts for both events were signed by ACRP Chairman Steve Shine.  The contact person for both events was ACRP Vice- Chair Cathy Hawks.  

Adding to the issue, the Rally event was heavily promoted by WOWO radio, including on stage appearances by their on-air talent.  At the time of the event, Knuth questioned WOWO General Manager Mark Deprez about WOWO’s involvement in what appeared to be a political event.  In his email response to Knuth, Deprez stated that the event was being put on by private citizens.   “Campaign finance reports now show this is not the case. It appears that WOWO was misled,” Knuth said.  If the event is determined to have been a political event, WOWO would fall under Campaign Finance guidelines, which would limit how much promotion they could have done legally.

The Northeast Indiana PAC for Better Government, based in Allen County, has donated over $730,000 in the last four years to Republican candidates and organizations.  Donors include Don McArdle, Dick Freeland and John Tippman.  “This PAC represents the largest donors to local politics,” noted Knuth, “when one group controls that much money, it is going to draw scrutiny.”

Knuth has turned the matter over the State Election Commission for review.  In his letter to Kristi Robertson, Co-Director of the SEC, Knuth notes that since most of NIPACBG’s donations are to Mitch Daniels and other statewide candidates, it cannot be reviewed by the Allen County Election Board.

Knuth is disturbed that an event, promoted as an honor to those serving in the military, was used to attract people to a political fundraiser.  “It is troubling that the Allen County Republican Party would use an event meant to honor troops to raise money.  While they may have raised a lot of money for their bank account, from a moral standpoint, they are bankrupt”, said Knuth.

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NOTE - A copy of the letter to the SEC is included in this release.