Former
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Obsitnik will pay $90,000 to settle
campaign finance violation accusations, as part of a settlement with
Connecticut elections regulators.
The
state Elections Enforcement Commission found that Obsitnik accepted $1.3
million in public financing while also taking $88,000 from a political action
committee called FixCT.
The
settlement says Obsitnik failed to register as a candidate for months,
even while he was spending money on his campaign through a nonprofit he
formed called “Imagine Connecticut.”
Obsitnik
didn't form an exploratory committee until Jan. 13, 2017.
Also, state
Rep. Jason Perillo (R-Shelton) will pay $10,000. State elections
investigators concluded he was a primary link between Obsitnik and FixCT.
According
to the settlement: “Jason Perillo was signatory to a firewall policy
implemented by FixCt, Inc. to prevent impermissible coordination between FixCt,
Inc. and Steve Obsitnik’s candidate committee, Obsitnik for Governor, comply
with Connecticut law, and avoid any appearance of impropriety.”
Neither
admit wrongdoing in the settlement.