Smith’s claim against Ferraro rejected

Dan Kulin

Friday, Aug. 1, 2003 | 9:15 a.m.

Former Boulder City Councilman Bill Smith, who lost the June mayoral race by 18 votes, has been dealt another defeat by the Secretary of State's Office.

Officials told Smith that Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro did not violate state campaign finance laws because he amended his May 27 campaign report to add a $3,000 in-kind donation of political consulting from the Las Vegas firm R&R Partners.

Smith had alleged Ferraro violated the disclosure requirements because he did not list the contribution when he originally filed the campaign finance report.

The Secretary of State's Office said that two days after Smith filed his complaint Ferraro amended his report to add the $3,000 in-kind donation. Because Ferraro amended his report, no violation occurred, the Secretary of State's Office said.

Ferraro said he reported the donation after he received a receipt for the services, and didn't report it earlier because he hadn't received the bill yet. In-kind donations are noncash contributions such as services or materials that are not charged for.

This was the second time since the June 3 election that the Secretary of State's Office had dismissed a Smith complaint.

In late June, the secretary's office ruled that a controversial city newsletter did not violate laws against governments supporting or opposing political candidates, as Smith had alleged.

The newsletter, which was sent to all city residents about a month before the election, addressed city finances, the new water line and the new golf course, which were the three main issues raised by Smith during the campaign. The secretary's office said that because the newsletter did not endorse or oppose a candidate there was no violation.