Missouri Ethics Commission fines local political group

A political group that has sought to influence candidate races in Springfield elections in recent years has been fined by the Missouri Ethics Commission for campaign finance law violations.

A Dec. 18 consent order signed by officials with the MEC and Truth in Politics lists the following agreed-upon violations of the law: failure to register as a committee, failure to report contributions, failure to report expenditures and failure to file reports. The consent order levies a fine against Truth in Politics in the amount of $249,446, with a clause indicating that if $20,000 is paid within 45 days, the remainder will be waived if further violations do not occur within a two-year period.

The order is signed by the MEC's executive director and general counsel, Stacey Heislen and Brian Hamilton, respectively, as well as Truth in Politics President Curtis Jared, Secretary and Treasurer George Husted, director Lee Fraley, director Royce Reding, director Sam Clifton and their attorney, Lucinda H. Luetkemeyer of Kansas City-based Graves Garrett LLC.

Reached this morning, Jared said the $20,000 would be paid out of Truth in Politics’ funds.

The complaint against Truth in Politics was filed in April 2022 by Linda Simkins, a retired litigation paralegal and community activist, Simkins confirmed to Springfield Business Journal this morning. She also provided a copy of the initial complaint.

"Truth in Politics, in violation of Chapter 130, RSMo, is operating as a political action committee, has failed to register with the commission and has failed to file campaign finance disclosure reports," the complaint reads. "The primary purpose of Truth in Politics, contrary to its assertions, is to accept contributions and make expenditures to directly support specific candidates and influence voters in the April 2021 and April 2022 municipal elections."

The initial complaint states that Truth in Politics advocated for Maryam Mohammadkhani, Kelly Byrne and Steve Makoski in Springfield Public Schools board races, as well as Brent Brown for Springfield City Council.