Mr. Nauen takes the position that expenses alleged to be excessive charitable contributions are in fact tickets to various events attended by Attorney General Humphrey, or his designated representatives, as a cost of serving in office, and that other expenditures which are the subject of this complaint were also costs related to serving in office. The evidence submitted to support the responses consisted of copies of 1997 mileage records for the van, pertinent pages from the 1997 Governor Committee report relating to payments made to the Respondent, and additional disclosure of expenses the Respondent reimbursed to individuals. The treasurer and other representatives of the Respondent presented testimony. The matter was considered based on the compliant, the responses, documents provided by both parties, and testimony presented. Reports filed by each committee disclose expenditures made by the Governor Committee and received by the Respondent covering reimbursements of mileage costs, and purchases or leasing of equipment.
Reports filed by the Respondent disclose both campaign expenditures and noncampaign disbursements.
The reports are certified by both committee treasurers to be true and correct. The treasurer for the Respondent testified that all expenditures made on behalf of the respondent, which were not reimbursed by the Governor Committee, were in fact expenditures on behalf of the Respondent, not the Governor Committee. There is no evidence provided by the Complainant or disclosed in the record that the Respondent subsidized the Governor Committee with unreported in kind contributions or by paying expenses that were really in support of the Governor Committee s campaign. If the Respondent made excessive charitable contributions, it would be considered a violation of Minn. Stat. 211B, and not within the Board s jurisdiction. However, the Respondent provided sufficient information to substantiate that expenses alleged to be charitable contributions were not charitable contributions, but costs associated with serving in office for attendance at certain events by Attorney General Humphrey, or his designated representatives.