Apr 18, 2008 - Powers charged his Congressional campaign to rent his home; will reimburse $4,000
Michael Beebe - Buffalo News Staff Reporter
Buffalo News
Apr 18, 2008
Jon Powers, the former Army captain and Iraqi war veteran running for Congress, will reimburse the $4,000 he charged his campaign for renting his home as his campaign office, a violation of federal election law, his campaign manager says.
Powers will repay the $500 a month he charged the campaign for rent for his residence, the upper apartment at 60 North Cayuga Road in Williamsville, from June 2007 until January, John Gerken said.
"To ensure that he and the campaign are in full compliance with federal election laws, Jon has decided to immediately reimburse the campaign for this expense," Gerken said.
Powers is facing an uphill financial battle against Jack Davis, who has pledged $3 million of his own money to gain the Democratic nomination in his second attempt to replace Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, the Clarence Republican who is retiring. Attorney Alice Kryzan is also in the Democratic race.
Powers' spokesman made the announcement after reporters asked about Powers' campaign statements showing the rental payments.
"The campaign may not pay for mortgage, rent or utilities for the personal residence of the candidate or the candidate's family even if part of the residence is being used by the campaign," according to the Federal Election Commission's campaign guide for Congressional candidates.
Powers campaign treasurer Ann Marie Glaser received a letter from the commission on March 13, saying that more detail was needed for the expenses that Power listed on his election forms.
The additional details were added on April 14, the FEC's deadline, and showed that Powers was charging the campaign $500 a month rent. Gerken said the campaign stopped paying the rent as of January when Powers moved his campaign offices to 8675 Main St., in Clarence.
Gerken denied that Powers, who was a substitute teacher but is now a full-time candidate, is using campaign funds to pay for his personal expenses. That also would violate election law.
"He has savings and he's going into debt," Gerken said when asked how Powers is supporting himself.
But he also said the Powers campaign will show if someone who is not independently wealthy can be elected to Congress.
"This campaign is going to be a case study on whether or not Mr. Smith can still get to Washington," Gerken said.
He said the payment will show up in Powers' June election report.
Gerken said Powers is traveling today and unavailable for comment.