Use of city council meeting to endorse candidate violates state law

DENVER – Today, Colorado Ethics Watch (Ethics Watch) filed a campaign finance complaint with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office against Lakewood City Council President Cheryl Wise. The complaint stems from comments Councilwoman Wise made during an October 8, 2007 regular meeting of the Lakewood City Council in which she harshly criticized city council candidate Charley Able, urged voters not to vote for him, and praised the only other candidate, Karen Kellen, expressly by name.

The Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits political subdivisions like Lakewood from expending public funds, including the use of city supplies and labor, in support of a candidate's campaign for public office. By issuing statements of support for Ms. Kellen’s candidacy and explicitly disparaging Mr. Able during a regular meeting of the city council, Ms. Wise expended public funds to support a candidate's campaign for public office in violation of the FCPA. The video of the city council meeting is available on the City of Lakewood’s official website by clicking here.

“Councilwoman Wise broke the law when she endorsed her favorite candidate for her city council seat at an official city council meeting,” said Chantell Taylor, director of Ethics Watch. “Councilwoman Wise should be sanctioned for using city resources to push her political agenda on voters.”

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Ethics Watch is a non-profit, legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials in Colorado accountable for their actions. For more information, please visit www.coloradoforethics.org or contact Chantell Taylor at (303) 626-2100 /ctaylor@coloradoforethics.org.