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“People who have more money should be free to buy more cars, more homes, more vacations, and more gizmos than the rest of us. They should not be able to buy more democracy." -Bill Moyers |
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For Immediate Release:
February 23, 2006 High-Schooler Gives $44,600 to Schwarzenegger Campaign Robin and Cherie Arkley May Have Violated Contribution Limits As the California Secretary of State's website details, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2006 candidate committee recently reported receiving two contributions of $22,300 on February 9, 2006 from Elizabeth A. Arkley. Ms. Arkley is a senior at Eureka High School and daughter of major political donor Robin Arkley II. Robin Arkley, wife Cherie, and other daughter Allison each also made two contributions of $22,300 to Schwarzenegger, for a total of $178,400 from the family on a single day. "That candidates for governor can take $44,600 from wealthy donors has helped foster rampant cynicism among Californians about government and elected officials," said Ned Wigglesworth, analyst for TheRestofUs.org. "But Governor Schwarzenegger taking $44,600 from a high schooler insults the millions of working and middle class Californians who want to participate in our democracy, but understandably feel priced out of the process. Even Machiavelli drew the line sometimes." Section 85308 of the Political Reform Act creates a presumption that any political contribution made by someone under the age of 18 was made by their parent. If Elizabeth Arkley is under 18, her contributions are presumed to be from either of her parents, which would put either or both Rob and Cherie Arkley over the contribution limit for donations to a gubernatorial candidate. Additionally, Section 85311 of the PRA aggregates contributions from affiliated entities owned by a majority of the same persons. If the Arkleys' contributions were actually made from SN Servicing or any other Arkley-owned enterprise, they may also have violated the contributions limits. Robin, Cherie, Elizabeth, and Allison all list their occupation as "owner" of SN Servicing Corporation. The Arkleys may face further jeopardy under the
Political Reform Act for failing to disclose $350,000 on their
2005 major donor filings. Robin and Cherie Arkley, listed under
"Race Investments, LLC" in their major donor filings,
failed to disclose contributions in their 2005 major donor filings
from the SN Servicing Corporation to the Chamber-backed Citizens
to Save California committee ($250,000) and to the Small Business
Action Committee ($100,000). TheRestofUs.org will bring this
omission to the attention of the Fair Political Practices Commission
with a complaint filed Friday, February 24. Sources:
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