Wichita Falls mayor reacts to Texas Ethics Commission findings

Wichita Falls Mayor Tim Short on Wednesday issued a response on behalf of himself and three City Council members regarding findings by the Texas Ethics Commission on donations to their campaigns by a Political Action Committee.

All four won seats on the council on Nov. 7.

After investigating a complaint filed by a defeated candidate, the commission found the candidates, Short, Jeff Browning, Mike Battaglino and Tom Taylor, did not disclose in-kind contributions from the Wichita Falls Professional Firefighters Association PAC.

The commission found “credible evidence” of violations. Each of the men agreed to pay $500 in civil penalties.

In his response, Short said, “When a PAC runs their own advertising campaign, there is no tie to the campaign, and that is how we were advised.”

More: Defeated candidate files election complaints against new City Council members

He said this spring the men were notified that because they participated in some of the advertising efforts, the PAC contribution should be treated as an in-kind donation.

“The four of us collectively agree and have submitted revised Campaign Finance Reports that reflect those in-kind donations,” Short said.

He added: “In response to additional allegations that any candidates received contributions from the Firefighters Association, the Ethics Commission said, quote: ‘evidence does not show the respondent(s) knowingly accepted a political contribution from the Association.’”

The association is considered a union and is restricted from making political donations. Its PAC, however, may contribute to political campaigns.

“Our joint settlement also states that the parties neither admit or deny the findings of fact and conclusions of law described,” Short said in his statement. “Each of us has paid a small Civil Penalty as a form of compensation to the Ethics Commission for the time and energy they spent looking into this matter.”

Short said at least six other complaints to the Ethics Commission regarding the same issues were dismissed.

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Cathy Dodson, who had challenged Browning, filed the complaints after losing the election.

“This bookkeeping adjustment has been made,” Short said. “We are all in agreement with the settlement and our clear victories in last Fall’s election show a mandate for us as a group to keep moving forward to continue working for the betterment of the City of Wichita Falls.”

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls mayor reacts to Texas Ethics Commission findings