An ethics lawsuit has been filed against Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood, questioning the veracity of Chitwood’s financial disclosures in which he received more than $25,000 from donors who donated less than $100. Ta.
Under state finance rules, candidates must list the names and occupations of campaign donors who make more than $100. But in three campaign finance reports this year, Chitwood reported receiving tens of thousands of dollars in unspecified contributions that did not identify donors.
Eddie Caldwell, chairman of the Whitfield County Republican Party, filed a complaint against Chitwood, a Democrat, with the state Ethics Commission in early October, Caldwell said by phone.
“I know there’s no way you can get that kind of money for less than $100,” said Caldwell, who lives in Dalton. “That’s not going to happen.”
A spokesperson for the state Ethics Commission said in an email that it had received complaints against Chitwood but could not comment on unresolved ongoing litigation.
If it was an honest mistake not to itemize the donations, Caldwell said Chitwood should have disclosed it before the election. And after 30 years in office, Caldwell said he should know what state rules require.
(Read more: Whitfield County Sheriff faces off against opponent at candidate forum)
Mr. Chitwood has served as sheriff of Whitfield County for more than 30 years. He is defending his position against Republican Darren Pearce, a former sheriff’s deputy who served for nearly 20 years.
Chitwood responded via email to a request for an interview regarding the ethics complaint.
“We’re blessed to have a large number of donors who donate less than $100,” he said.
Staff Photo by Andrew Wilkins/Darren Pearce, Republican candidate for Whitfield County Sheriff, speaks to the audience at a candidate forum in Dalton on October 8, 2024. Pierce is challenging incumbent Democratic Sheriff Scott Chitwood.
Mr Chitwood said the complaint had no merit but that he had responded in an “appropriate manner”.
After hearing Chitwood’s response, Caldwell said he believes the sheriff’s financial reports were sworn to be “false” and that he needs to find out who is funding his campaign. He said that there is.
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Caldwell ran for state representative in 2017, but said he declined to donate because some people didn’t want their names published on campaign finance filings.
He said voters have a right to know who is donating to a candidate’s campaign because financial support can lead to influence.
Ethics Commission spokeswoman Haley Barrett declined to comment on the ethics process and referred reporters to the commission’s website.
The commission has the authority to impose civil penalties and administrative fees, and to report violations to law enforcement, according to its website.
Mr. Caldwell also filed a technical complaint against Mr. Chitwood, alleging that some campaign funds were misclassified in financial statements.
Contributed photo by Eddie Caldwell, Whitfield County Republican Party Chairman
Chitwood’s latest campaign contribution filing was on Friday. Documents posted on the county’s election website say he received $600 in itemized contributions and $6,000 in itemized contributions from two insurance companies, an auto dealership and a funeral home. has been done.
In a Sept. 30 filing, Chitwood reported about $8,500 in donations of $100 or less. On its June 30 tax return, it reported $1,800 in donations of $100 or less. On its April 30 tax return, it reported $15,000 in donations under $100 and $1,000 in itemized donations.
(Read more: A number of Republican candidates are vying to challenge longtime Democratic sheriff in Whitfield County)
Pierce, also filed Friday, reported that itemized contributions for the period were approximately $7,300 and there were no itemized contributions.
On its Sept. 30 return, it received about $1,700 in non-itemized contributions and about $14,000 in itemized contributions. In its June 30 tax return, it said it received about $2,500 in donations of $100 or less and $7,500 in itemized donations. On his April 30 tax return, Mr. Pierce received approximately $2,700 in itemized contributions and approximately $600 in itemized contributions.
Contact Andrew Wilkins at awilkins@timefreepress.com or 423-757-6659.
