State’s politicians tap into excess cash from campaigns

Surplus accounts are intended to allow candidates a way to hold onto cash between elections, and provide politicians options for how to properly disperse money that’s not needed. Candidates can donate cash, but one umbrella option frequently used by officials allows them to spend the money for what the law terms “public office-related expenses.”

Lt. Gov. Brad Owen spent about $760 from his surplus funds account at an Olympia liquor store, reporting the items were for various functions, dignitary gifts and attorney dinners. Owen said drinks were served at after-hours events for state staffers and at other functions at his home. He said all of it was linked to his work in the office, noting that he wouldn’t have been able to purchase alcohol with government money.

Zarelli’s wife’s charity

Even the donations to charity — an allowable use of surplus funds — can have a tangential benefit to politicians. Owen reported that several of his donations were for “event tickets,” including $500 to a nonprofit called Strategies For Youth. Owen was president of that nonprofit when the donation was given in 2009, and his wife was the only person drawing a salary from the organization — $6,800 for serving as vice president, according to IRS documents.

Owen said there was never any issue about conflict of interest, noting that he’s always been open about how his office partnered with the nonprofit to reach out to kids.

Recently departed state Sen. Joe Zarelli sent more than $10,000 of surplus funds to a charity run by his wife and that listed Zarelli himself as secretary. That money provided about three-quarters of the charity’s contribution revenue in 2008, according to IRS records. Zarelli did not return calls for comment Monday.

Sonntag, a dedicated baseball fan, said he typically gave his Mariners tickets away — either as an auction item, at church or to staff members in his office.

Armstrong said his clothing purchases were related to his work in the Legislature. Armstrong, who also works as external affairs director for the Port of Chelan County, said he doesn’t typically wear the apparel when he isn’t doing his work as a state lawmaker.

“The only thing I wear suits for is the Legislature. And I’ll probably pick out a good one to be buried in some day,” Armstrong said.

‘Solely for work’

The state Public Disclosure Commission does not maintain explicit guidelines for what qualifies as an unreimbursed office-related expense, and it’s the burden of the officeholder to prove that an expense is related to office work, agency spokeswoman Lori Anderson said.

Anderson said she would caution public officials about using the money for clothes, car repairs or other potentially personal expenses because the items in question can’t be used for private activities and public office. An iPad purchased with campaign funds, for example, couldn’t be loaded with family photos or used to read a book on a plane, while clothes bought with the money could never be worn for personal events.

“Whatever they buy has to be used solely for work,” Anderson said.

Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches, reported spending $1,250 on an iPad in 2011, even though the top model only costs $700. He followed that up with the purchase of another iPad for $900 just six months later. In 2010, Ross spent more than $1,800 for a new computer for what he described as his home office.

Ross told the Yakima Herald-Republic the electronic devices are used for business and personal purposes.

Armstrong wasn’t the only person using the account for clothes. So did Democratic state Sen. Brian Hatfield of Raymond, GOP Rep. Ed Orcutt of Kalama and Swecker. Orcutt said his clothing is used almost exclusively for work as a lawmaker.