In the News
Ala. Ethics Commission looking into Montiel's Chapman complaint
March 21, 2008
AP, Rawls, 03/21/08
The State Ethics Commission notified former attorney general candidate Mark Montiel that it is looking into his complaint against Secretary of State Beth Chapman.
Hugh Evans, the commission's general counsel, wrote a letter to Montiel, saying the complaint was being assigned to an investigator who "will be contacting you as soon as possible."
A handwritten note on the letter said, "This will be prioritized."
Montiel said Wednesday he is pleased his complaint is getting serious consideration after an identical complaint was turned back by the state attorney general's office.
Chapman said she is also glad the Ethics Commission is reviewing the matter because she believes it will clear up allegations made by "a sore loser who doesn't understand the law."
"I insist it be investigated," she said Thursday.
Montiel wrote to the attorney general's office and the Ethics Commission last week to seek an investigation. He complained about Chapman raising campaign contributions after her election in November 2006 and paying campaign funds to family members and her business. He questioned whether she was using her campaign to benefit her family.
Brenda Smith, chief of the attorney general's opinions division, responded to Montiel on Tuesday, saying the office found no violation of Alabama's campaign finance laws.
Montiel countered with a letter Wednesday, telling the attorney general's office that its conclusion differed from "state law and opinions issued by your office" in the past.
Chapman, Alabama's chief elections official, said Thursday she was following state law, which allows her family to be paid for work during the campaign and for reimbursement of her business for campaign expenses it covered during the 2006 race.
Montiel is a former state appeals court judge who ran for attorney general in 2006 against incumbent Troy King. Montiel, King and Chapman are all Republicans.
