NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTYFor Immediate Release: Sept. 2, 2010
DAVID RIVERA EMBROILED IN ANOTHER ETHICAL SCANDALAmidst domestic violence allegations, former donor files FEC complaint.
As columnist Joy-Ann Reid reported this morning, Republican David Rivera is embroiled in another legal scandal amidst allegations he repeatedly assaulted a woman and a CBS-4 investigative report which revealed he drove a mail truck off the road carrying unfavorable fliers about him. A former Rivera donor and supporter, attorney William R. Barzee has asked federal authorities to investigate Rivera’s apparent violation of federal laws prohibiting coordination between campaigns and 527 groups. See formal complaint below.”David Rivera’s behavior is reckless and dangerous and his blatant disregard for the law makes him unfit to lead,” said Campaign for Accountability 2010 spokesperson Eric Jotkoff.
FORMER SUPPORTER AND DONOR FILES FEC COMPLAINT AGAINST DAVID RIVERA
I would like to inform you that I have filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission regarding David Rivera’s apparent violations of federal election laws.  As a former supporter and donor to David Rivera,  I am saddened and surprised by what I see as a disregard for the rules and laws that govern our elections.
I have filed this complaint as a private citizen based upon a good faith belief that federal candidate David Rivera and the 527 Committee “Voters Response” have violated federal campaign finance laws in at least two ways. First, by coordinating with a 527 committee to attack candidate Joe Garcia  and second, by avoiding campaign contribution limits by off-setting campaign expenses through the 527.
Sarah Bascom of Bascom Communications has been acting as spokesperson for the Rivera campaign.  Rivera campaign finance reports however show no payment for her services.  The 527 “Voters Response” on the other hand has been paid by Bascom Communications for its services.  “Voters Response” is the 527 committee that has launched repeated unfair attacks against Joe Garcia.
Enough is enough.
527 committees were not created to launch attacks on behalf of a candidate’s campaign, nor were they created as a way to avoid campaign contribution limits.
I call on David Rivera to end the nasty political attacks and to stop abusing our campaign finance laws.
William R. Barzee
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