The Alaska Public Offices Commission has recommended a $5,665 fine against Open for Business Anchorage, a political group that supported the election of Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson in this year’s municipal election.
On Wednesday, commission staff released a report saying the third-party group failed to properly file six reports that would have informed voters about how the group was spending its money.
The commission examined those reports after a complaint in September from Paula DeLaiarro, the compliance officer of Forrest Dunbar’s campaign for mayor. Dunbar lost to Bronson in this year’s election.
Open for Business Anchorage responded to that complaint earlier this month by saying that it was unaware of the rules and that its volunteer staff tried to follow the requirements of state law.
According to an amended campaign finance report, Open for Business Anchorage spent $77,533 in support of Bronson’s campaign for mayor and for celebrations after his election. The group has since filed a report listing $3,000 in legal costs associated with the complaint to APOC.
Members of the commission are scheduled to consider the staff’s recommendation at a meeting in January. After the commission’s secret vote, a final decision will be released in writing.