Ethics investigation finds violations related to 2022 Galloway Village rezoning campaign

A 2022 ethics complaint against the Springfield United political action committee has revealed campaign finance disclosure violations tied to its support of the unsuccessful Galloway Village rezoning vote that year.

The Missouri Ethics Commission published a filing, dated Nov. 18, indicating the state commission has reached a consent order with Springfield United and Brett Adams, its treasurer. Resident Linda Simkins, who runs a government watchdog Facebook page called Springfield/Greene County Start Local, filed the complaint in October 2022, according to past reporting.

Springfield United in 2022 gathered support from myriad community leaders to seek approval of the Galloway Village rezoning, but the question that went to the ballot box in November that year was ultimately rejected by nearly 71% of voters. According to past reporting, voters had been asked to amend the city's official zoning map to rezone 4.2 acres in the 3500 block of South Lone Pine Avenue to a planned development from a mixed designation of single-family residential, general retail and limited business district to make way for plans by developer Elevation Enterprises LLC for a mixed-use development called Treadway.

The MEC consent order identifies three ethics violations:
• Acceptance of a contribution from a company that was not registered with the MEC and not classified as a corporation under federal tax law
• Failure to file certain financial reports on time, including reports detailing election-related expenditures
• Failure to accurately report eight expenditures to a political consulting firm, totaling more than $32,000

Springfield United agreed to the consent order, which includes a requirement to amend filings and pay a $2,500 fee, $700 of which is due within 45 days. The remainder is stayed, but it could become due if the Springfield United commits further violations within two years.

Springfield Business Journal is seeking comment from Springfield United's legal representation.