Spring Break
Ritter says campaign improperly paid $217,000
Steven K. Paulson - Associated Press
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: News
DENVER - Gov. Bill Ritter said Tuesday his campaign violated campaign finance laws and improperly paid about $217,000 to 28 vendors in expenses last year.
He said his campaign and inaugural committee chairman, Greg Kolomitz, overpaid himself and his company $83,250 out of Ritter's inaugural account.
Ritter said he reported the violations to Secretary of State Mike Coffman, Attorney General John Suthers and Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey.
Ritter said his campaign committee has taken out a $200,000 loan to repay the expenses, which were incorrectly paid out of his inaugural committee's bank account.
He said Kolomitz repaid the money he was overpaid.
Ritter said he asked an accounting firm to conduct a final review when the problems were discovered.
He and his wife personally secured the $200,000 loan with a deed of trust on their private home.
"This is an extremely disappointing and unfortunate set of circumstances. These are the facts and I have taken personal responsibility for remedying the situation," Ritter said.
He said his campaign and inaugural committee chairman, Greg Kolomitz, overpaid himself and his company $83,250 out of Ritter's inaugural account.
Ritter said he reported the violations to Secretary of State Mike Coffman, Attorney General John Suthers and Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey.
Ritter said his campaign committee has taken out a $200,000 loan to repay the expenses, which were incorrectly paid out of his inaugural committee's bank account.
He said Kolomitz repaid the money he was overpaid.
Ritter said he asked an accounting firm to conduct a final review when the problems were discovered.
He and his wife personally secured the $200,000 loan with a deed of trust on their private home.
"This is an extremely disappointing and unfortunate set of circumstances. These are the facts and I have taken personal responsibility for remedying the situation," Ritter said.
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