Idaho Secretary of State’s office receives 3 complaints re possible campaign finance violations by Doyle Beck
The Idaho Secretary of State’s office has received three formal complaints related to multiple $1,000 donations to legislative candidates from businesses owned by Idaho Falls businessman Doyle Beck. Carrie Scheid, a citizen activist from Idaho Falls, filed all three complaints, which are against three legislative candidates: Chick Heileson, Bryan Zollinger, and Randy Neal. Idaho law limits contributions to a legislative candidate, from an individual, business or entities with common ownership, to $1,000 per primary or general election.
“In late January, my husband Jerry and I filed a complaint with the Idaho Attorney General’s office about questionable donations made to the ‘Integrity in Government’ PAC,” Scheid wrote in all three complaints. “Since then, the AG has filed charges against Doyle Beck and Chick Heileson regarding at least one of the donations.”
“Last night, I reviewed seven-day pre-primary campaign finance reports for Bryan Zollinger, Randy Neal and Chick Heileson and noted that again it appears that Mr. Beck may be attempting to maneuver around campaign finance by funneling funds through companies he claims he doesn’t own. … I urge you to investigate this matter and get to the truth.”
Each complaint included a copy of the Eye on Boise post headed, “Games are afoot, as donors scramble to skirt Idaho campaign contributions limits.”
Tim Hurst, chief deputy Secretary of State, said, “We’re looking at it.” The next step in the office’s investigation will be to contact the three candidates to inquire about the contributions, Hurst said, though that may not happen until after Tuesday’s election. “We’ll get it out as soon as we can,” Hurst said.
He said he and Secretary of State Lawerence Denney have been discussing the aggregate contributions law and other issues that have come up this year, and likely will be proposing changes in the law to next year’s Legislature. “He and I have been talking quite a bit about proposing some changes to tighten it up, so it’s not as vague,” Hurst said.
Denney also campaigned on a proposal to require earlier reports before primary elections; as it stands now, no reports are required between Jan. 1 and seven days before the primary – which is the reason for the big rush of campaign finance news this week, just before Tuesday’s election. Hurst said that may also be among the changes the office proposes, which likely will “include a number of different things in there.”
