From: WEWoodsMPH Date: Tue, 3 Mar 1998 20:27:03 EST Subject: A coverup?? Another Foreign Contibution for Hawaii Political Organization Redistribute as possible - Could help others in similar situation - Making a difference Aloha Folks, Last week it was the filing of two complaints and a victory on them just 23 hours after the filing. Well today two more formal complaints alleging another acceptance of a contribution from a foreign owned business and an apparent move to cover up additional public review of the exceptional contribution (exceeding $1,000.). The political action organization "Save Traditional Marriage -98" according the their report to the State Campaign Spending Commission indicated a contribution of $1,250. from DFS Hawaii which is a D.B.A. for two foreign registered corporations (Bermuda and Hong Kong). After review of business registration documents we believe this constitutes a violation of the prohibition of foreign corporate contributions for political action organizations in Hawaii. More importantly, this week's complaint against Save Traditional Marriage -98 includes an additional charge of an apparent and profound appearance that Save Traditional Marriage -98 attempted to cover up the finding of this apparently illegal foreign contribution by DFS Hawaii when STM-98 issued a refund of $250. to DFS Hawaii the day after acceptance of the $1,250.00. Although legal contributions of more than $1,000 are acceptable, anyone or organization that exceeds $1,000. is required to complete Campaign Spending Report Forms. It appears that Save Traditional Marriage - 98 attempted to prevent a further investigation of the initial contribution by artificially lowering the contribution amount to below the threshold for additional legal scrutiny and review. Of concern here also, is that it appears that many of the contributors on the STM-98 report were not aware the contribution was to a political action effort. The refund of the additional $250. above the threshold for additional reporting may have been done to prevent the contributor from becoming aware the money paid out was to a political action effort. This is another are of review that we are involved. And of course, more charges will be made the appropriate regulatory or prosecuting attorney agencies as violations are identified. In another positive move, the Campaign Spending Commission has apparently put the first two complaints on a fast tract for their review and possible action. Normally to be placed on the commission's review agenda takes two to three months, however by the end of the week they were filed (2-4-98) I received notice of the initial review by the commission to be on March 10, 1998 at 3 PM. I am allowed to address the commission and present the case for continued investigation and identification of remedies and or sanctions related to the violations should they be found true. These latest two complaints mirror the first one where the STM-98 accepted a contribution from the Australian Consulate General. The organization has already stated they would return those funds that were illegally accepted. (See article at end.) I, and those who are assisting in the research into these and other apparent violations are very concerned that all the investigations and remedies take place to assure that we get the bottom of the problem. There are at least seven other complaints being drafted at this time covering a number of apparent violations that we believe were well orchestrated and will be proven to be criminal in the end. STM-98 raised almost $100,000 in a one-day fundraiser that both the Australian Consulate General (and his staff member Magill Hind) and DFS Hawaii president stated they were not aware was a political action fundraiser. The unraveling of how the money was solicited, how information was inappropriately or misleadingly reported, and how the principals orchestrated and engaged in the fundraising effort will be the focus of future complaint filings with the State Campaign Spending Commission and a number of other local, state and federal authorities. Get ready! -- Someone has to do the job and a few of us have begun it. Of course, I and the others reviewing documents and laws and making interviewing calls with potential witnesses are open to others ideas and input to doing it right, effectively, and successfully. If you have views that we need to know, please send us a message. If you know of people who may have evidence that would be of help, please tell us about it or direct them to us as well. do good, William E. Woods, MPH *** HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN P.O. Box 3080 Honolulu, Hawai`i 96802 editors@starbulletin.com February 26, 1998 SAME-SEX MARRIAGE FOES TO RETURN ILLEGAL FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION By Keith Kosaki Star-Bulletin A political action committee opposed to same-sex marriage is returning a $200 contribution from the Australian Consulate in Honolulu after the illegal foreign donation was discovered by a gay activist. [Deleted article. filemanager@qrd.org]