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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Numbers Cruncher O'Donnell Files No Pre-Election Report

Tom O'Donnell
On the campaign trail, Northampton County Council candidate Tom O'Donnell has been touting his auditing prowess for the state, though he always seems to forget to mention that he was fired. He also tells audiences that he's a certified fraud investigator, just like Controller Steve Barron, so watch out!  At Monday night's debate, he even disparaged all Council candidates for lacking his knowledge of nursing home form numbers. "I don't think anybody here is a number cruncher like I am," he bragged. But this is one number cruncher who's failed to crunch his own. He has neglected to file a campaign finance report itemizing his contributions and expenditures, as required by state law. He hasn't even formed a committee. What he did file was a false affidavit, claiming that his expenses and contributions would not exceed $250.

Elections officials have no record that O'Donnell ever filed a campaign finance report. He instead filed an affidavit, indicating he would not spend or receive more than $250. These affidavits are accepted at face value unless there is a complaint and evidence to rebut the claim.

That evidence is strewn around the County, in the form of campaign signs that are planted next to Christen Borso's. Those two got an early start.

O'Donnell's signs come from SignRocket. If he ordered 500 of them, with stands, it would cost him $1,000. For 500 more, he'd pay $1,750. Clearly, he spent more than $250, just for his plastic.

In addition, O'Donnell made a contribution to the County Democratic party for a joint mailer, just like the other Democrats stuck with him.  Borso gave $2,300; Ron Heckman gave $1,500; and Jerry Seyfried and Deb Hunter gave $2,500 each. I do not know how much O'Donnell gave because the County report is unavailable online. But I'm sure he's over $250.

According to Borso's Facebook page, there was also a September 21 Meet 'n Greet with O'Donnell on September 21. He could have raised money there.

He is also campaigning under a fictitious campaign committee.

His campaign signs indicate they were paid for by the "Citizens to Elect Tom O'Donnell." But no such committee exists, not in Northampton County, and not in Harrisburg. So his campaign signs contain a false disclaimer, yet another violation of state campaign finance laws.

I called O'Donnell about these problems yesterday. He did not return my call, but spoke to some others. O'Donnell told them he filed his finance reports with the state.

But that's untrue, too.  The state office would reject O'Donnell's filing because he is a local, not a state, candidate. He is required by law to file in the elections office of the County where he is running. Moreover, there is no state record of any committee registered under O'Donnell's name.There is no state record that O'Donnell has ever filed a report there.

Our state campaign finance laws exist so the public can follow the money. The public has a right to know who is backing candidates for public office and how much they are giving to buy influence. The public also has a right to know what the candidate is doing with the money given to him. Even if it it is a candidate's own personal treasure, we have a right to know how it is spent.

O'Donnell has breached the public trust and broken state law in three ways:

1) He filed an affidavit pledging he would raise and spend no more than $250, and never corrected this after he must have realized he would go over.

2) His campaign signs falsely state that they were paid for by a candidate's committee, when no such committee ever existed.

3) He never, as a committee or individually, reported his contributions or expenses, even though they obviously exceed $250.

Though O'Donnell could be prosecuted for these offenses by the District Attorney, those are rare and I just think he's confused. But he should be assessed a late fee until he files, and asked to correct his signs to include the proper disclaimer.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

And his 4 comrades and General Callahan stand proudly next to him in all the political mailers like dunces. If they had courage they would distance themselves from him. He is one person who would be very bad at any level of government.

Bernie O'Hare said...

He is a bad candidate.

Anonymous said...

No offense but that dude has little black rat eyes. Scary, man!

Anonymous said...

Maybe he teamed up with the Jim Gregory unity pac. There seems to be no record of that either.

Anonymous said...

more unfounded accusations. Where is your proof?

Anonymous said...

He's a wascally wabbit!

Bernie O'Hare said...

"more unfounded accusations. Where is your proof?"

What a whack job you are. I was at the elections office. There is no report. There is an affidavit. i have photos of his signs. Borso's facebook mentions the meet'n greet. Several candidates have told me O'Donnell contributed for a joint flier.

He broke the law. You are so caught up with hatred for me that you don't give a shit about bad candidates or the law.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Maybe he teamed up with the Jim Gregory unity pac. There seems to be no record of that either."

There is no record of it at the county or state, but tricia mezzacappa was soliciting contributions. She failed to file the reports she is required to file, too, from her own campaigns. I believe she has ignored numerous reminders.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"No offense but that dude has little black rat eyes. Scary, man! "

I'm more concerned about his mental agility. He claims to be a numbers wiz, but can't file a simple report. He ignores my calls about it and tells others he's filed with the state, which simply is untrue.

Anonymous said...

Tom has my Vote!

Anonymous said...

The fine for not filing your report in a timely manner could be $100.00 per day up to the time a report is filed, and that must be paid by the candidate himself and not by his committee. (Check that out Bernie, I still believe that's the law).

Bernie O'Hare said...

it's not. The fine is $10 per day, and is capped at $250. but if a candidate refuses to file reports after being fined as Tricia ("Tom has my Vote") Mezzacappa has failed to do, the matter is referred to the DA for prosecution.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure Tom is not the only one who avoids your calls. That makes him a hero to most people. Thanks for reporting that part of it. I was disappointed that he did not file his report, but he earned my support again when he refused to talk to you.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Yeah, his lack of transparency is so endearing.

Anonymous said...

And yet the coalition of control freaks, handout seekers, trough sloppers, babykillers, and cross wired that form his party may very well elect him.

John Rocker

Anonymous said...

Tom O'Donnell is probably the most qualified candidate on the Dem ticket, these technicalities will not derail his campaign but they will get Bernice's panties in a bunch which is always amusing to us at the COAF.

Anonymous said...

I met this guy in 1979 when I contracted to build a home in Newburg Manor, Lower Nazareth. He would camp out at a developers office. The developer said people in the neighborhood used to refer to him as "THE MAYOR". I used to think he was a bloviating nincompoop then -- I guess he has not changed much.

Bernie O'Hare said...

12:37, you are not one of the 3 members of COAF and they did not endorse O'Donnell.

Anonymous said...

The guy is an ass and an anchor on the Democratic ticket. Hopefully voters dump him on Tuesday.

The only reason he gets any attention is his wife is tight with Gruclea and Democratic women groups.

Anonymous said...

Yo BO! Isn't this the one guy on the Dem's that has a campaign consultant all to his own? How the hell do you screw up the most basic rule.

The guy is unelectable and hopefully the voters don't hold the other Dem's responsible for people who voted for him.

Ovem Lupo Commitere said...

Would almost assume he would have raised similiar to what you reported from Borso's report (5,085) considering they seem to be supported by many of the same circles. Regardless, more than $250 with all of his signs everywhere. Is he hiding something, or has he been pushed along by other forces and he is no longer competent enough to pay attention to these sort of details? Either way, why should somebody like that be on Council? Its funny the power of a mere name has in political elections.

Anonymous said...

I'm a proud Dem and I can't vote for this, which means Peg has his vote.

Anonymous said...

yo idiots.....Odonnell won the primary, He is the democratic choice for the ticket. The dems are going to vote for him. everyone including you B.O. have done things you aren't proud of. We all amde mistakes. O'donnell paid one helluva price 30 years ago. He paid his dues. I would vote for you Bernie....even with your blemished past. You are allowed one mistake in your life. Pay your dues and move on.

Anonymous said...

Hey O'Hare Ovem makes good points. if you want areal laugh, check out Borzo'sa expense summaries on her filings. She took in a ton of Kenny Kraft procured union money and spent it in found ways.

She billed her committee for all her coffee, gas and even cleaning bills. It looks like big supporters and financial guru's, McClure and Barron schooled her on how to play the system.

Bernie O'Hare said...

She is a major disappointment, but i never made the mistake of supporting her in this race.