A report by the blog ePluribus Media outlines over $30,000 in campaign contributions from executives and political action committees related to UniGroup, Inc., a Fenton-based firm that owns some of the nation’s largest moving companies and which has millions of dollars in federal contracts.
According to campaign finance reports, Richard McClure, the firm’s CEO and the former chief of staff for then-Missouri Gov. John Ashcroft, has given $4,000 to Talent’s Senate campaign. His wife, Sharon, gave another $2,000.
What’s wrong with that? Well, according to ePluribus, the Senate Ethics Manual bars contributions from federal government contractors. Not exactly.
While the rules fordid contractors like UniGroup, Inc. from giving to candidates, its employees and executives are free to give as much money as is legally allowed for anyone else.
Now whether it’s ethical for politicians to accept campaign contributions from people whose employers are affected by legislation overseen by those legislators is another deal altogether.
But if that was outlawed, who would fund all the citywide campaigns in St. Louis?
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November 3rd, 2006 at 4:14 pm
The question of legality is an interesting one. While, as you point out, Title 11, Part 115.2 seemingly has no teeth, the Senate Ethics Manual seems to interpret the law somewhat differently.
Title 11 seems to boil down to a question of corporate vs. personal funds, but it is worth noting that Part 115.2 is a distinct and separate set of rules pertaining to government contractors.
In fact, as interpreted in the Senate Ethics manual, “Federal campaign laws prohibit Members of and candidates for Senate from receiving political contributions from the treasury funds of a corporation.”
This is unequivocal. No corporate funds whatsoever, contractor or otherwise. But the ethics manual goes further:
“Additionally, contributions may not be accepted from federal government contractors.”
I believe the key word here is “additionally.” IOW, no corporate funds at all. PLUS, no funds from anyone under contract with the federal government.
todd johnston
ePluribus Media