JUNEAU -- The Alaska Public Offices Commission is considering whether to dismiss a complaint against Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell over campaign financial disclosures.
The panel heard arguments in the case Wednesday and took the matter under advisement.
APOC staff has alleged that Treadwell's campaign didn't timely and accurately report payment to a law firm, failed to properly amend reports for spending at a restaurant and didn't accurately report expenditures to an ad firm that APOC staff says provided discounted services. The allegations stem from Treadwell's run for office last year.
Treadwell has denied receiving discounts and is seeking to have the complaint dismissed. APOC staff wants a full hearing on the matter next week.
Treadwell was said to have another, previously scheduled obligation and did not attend arguments in Anchorage on Wednesday.
Burke Wood, the owner of the New Jersey-based ad firm Burkewood Creative, said in an affidavit that he included what he described as "courtesy discounts" on some of his invoices to the campaign, even though those weren't actual discounts. Wood was hired as a media consultant to Treadwell's campaign.
Treadwell attorney Tom Amodio told the commission it was Wood's decision to use the word discount and that Wood charged whatever he thought his client would pay. He said the campaign was charged the full, reasonable rate for work done.
"We don't believe there was a discount," he said.
But Martha Tansik, an attorney for APOC staff, said questions about Wood's charges and other reporting issues merited a hearing.
APOC staff has recommended a civil penalty of $9,681 in the matter.
By BECKY BOHRER
Associated Press