A political action committee that’s urged Scottsdale, Ariz., residents to support four bond measures totaling $212 million for 39 city projects when they go to the polls today received $86,000 from the National Association of Realtors and $14,000 from the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors.
That led to complaints to city officials and a small demonstration in front of the local Realtor association’s offices, attended by a former president of the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors, Tom Mason, and Scottsdale City Councilman Guy Phillips.
A complaint that NAR engaged in “push polling” to influence the outcome of the election was determined to be unfounded. But a similar complaint against the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors was reviewed by Scottsdale City Attorney Bruce Washburn, as was a complaint that a pro-bond campaign political action committee (PAC) — Scottsdale’s Quality of Life Matters in Support of Questions 1, 2, 3 and 4 — failed to disclose NAR’s contribution within the 24 hours required by state law.
Washburn determined that some who received the calls were told that they were paid for by NAR, when election laws require that the PAC itself be identified. But the PAC, not NAR or the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors, bore responsibility for the improper disclosure, Washburn said in assessing a $17,846 fine on the PAC.
Washburn also fined the PAC $8,600 for failing to disclose NAR’s contribution within 24 hours to both the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office and the the Scottsdale City Clerk’s Office.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the findings of the Scottsdale City Attorney’s Office. The city attorney assessed fines totaling $26,446 on the PAC Scottsdale’s Quality of Life Matters in Support of Questions 1, 2, 3 and 4. The bond measures were defeated by voters.
Source: arizona.newszap.com.