Campaign Finance Complaint Against DFLers Gary Schindler and Robin Brown Advances

Complaint Filed By Minnesota Jobs Coalition Found to Have Stated Prima Facie Violation

St. Paul — The Minnesota Jobs Coalition was informed by the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board that the complaint filed on August 24, 2016 by Minnesota Jobs Coalition was found to have stated a prima facie violation and that a probable cause hearing has been scheduled for October 5, 2016. Minnesota Jobs Coalition President and Chairman Kevin Magnuson issued the following statement upon receiving notice from the Board.

“We are pleased with the findings of the Chair of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. The allegations which the Board will discuss on October 5 are very serious in nature. Both Mr. Schindler and Ms. Brown, or their campaigns, have acknowledged the factual basis of the complaint in media reports – that they in fact made and received corporate contributions, misrepresented them on their respective Campaign Finance Reports and that Ms. Brown co-mingled campaign funds with business funds. In spite of their efforts to minimize the serious nature of these violations, I am confident that the Board will make the appropriate determination in October.”

The complaint filed by Minnesota Jobs Coalition can be found here.

Background: 

Minnesota Jobs Coalition Alleges Campaign-Finance Violations by Two DFLers “The Minnesota Jobs Coalition says Gary Schindler, the current DFL candidate hoping to unseat the GOP incumbent, Peggy Bennett of Albert Lea, ‘knowingly’ received a banned corporate donation. That donation – for nearly $2,900 – came from the business of former state DFL legislator, Robin Brown, the Jobs Coalition said in the campaign.” (Ricardo Lopez “Outside political group alleges campaign-finance violations by two DFLers” Star Tribune August 25, 2016)

Schindler and Brown Acknowledge Making and Receiving Corporate Contributions, Commingling Funds “Brown said the campaign committee account was removed more than two years ago, and the money moved to the business account….’On March 13 of this year, I regrettably accepted and deposited a contribution from the treasurer of Robin Brown without appreciating that it was drawn from the Brown’s business account,‘ Schindler said.” (Sam Wilmes “Questions surface about local campaign donation” Albert Lea Tribune August 26, 2016)