Democrats accuse Porter of violating election laws

Greg Tuttle

Thursday, Oct. 5, 2000 | 10:35 a.m.

State Democratic Party officials have accused state Sen. Jon Porter, a candidate for Congress, of violating federal election laws by failing to report contributions and expenditures.

A spokesman for Porter denied the allegations this morning. Porter, R-Henderson, is challenging Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley for the 1st Congressional District seat.

In a statement issued Wednesday, state Democratic Party Chairman Rory Reid said Porter has failed to disclose numerous campaign expenditures and has created an illegal "slush fund" used to pay bills.

Reid said Porter has also failed to explain the circumstances surrounding a same-day contribution to a political action committee that had donated $6,000 to his campaign.

"Jon Porter has repeatedly and flagrantly violated federal law, and it is time for him to once and for all come clean," Reid said in the statement.

Porter spokesman Josh Griffen denied the allegations and said the attack shows Berkley and her Democratic supporters are starting to worry.

Porter has been corresponding with the Federal Elections Commission about reporting requirements, and the agency has not indicated any violations have occurred, Griffen said.

"All those things have been handled and explained," he said.