Party is spurning finance reports

Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2002 | 9:28 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Candidates of the Independent American Party plan to protest the laws requiring them to file financial disclosure statements and campaign contribution reports.

Merritt "Ike" Yochum, a longtime party member and candidate for lieutenant governor, said today the party wants to get the issue in court because the laws are unconstitutional.

"We're digging our heels in," said Yochum, who called the reports an "invasion of privacy" that discourages potential contributors from giving to third parties.

Yochum filed his financial disclosure report in May but did not include any information on the form. He said he will do the same thing with the upcoming campaign contribution and expenditure report due Aug. 27.

Already two cases are in District Court in Carson City involving two IAP candidates from the 2000 election. Jonathan Hansen, a candidate for Assembly District 13 in Clark County, was one day late in filing his report and was assessed a $25 fine. Joshua Hansen, a candidate for the Clark County Commission, was late on one campaign report and failed to file the other two. The state is trying to collect a $10,000 fine.

The attorney general's office filed the suits, and the Hansens submitted answers. Senior Deputy Attorney General Kateri Cavin said she intends to file a motion to avoid arbitration in both cases and go to trial.