Ethics Commission order says Parson PAC accepted illegal $150,000 contribution

By Jason Hancock

Missouri Independent

The political action committee created to advocate for Missouri Gov. Mike Parson accepted an illegal contribution of $150,000 last year from an out-of-state group.

In a consent order filed this week, the Missouri Ethics Commission determined that there are reasonable grounds to believe the Oct. 2, 2020, donation to Uniting Missouri PAC from RAGA Action Fund violated state campaign finance laws.

The contribution was illegal, the ethics commission determined, because RAGA Action Fund was not registered with the state.

Uniting Missouri was fined $2,000. RAGA Action Fund was fined $1,000.

If Uniting Missouri pays half the fine within 45 days, the rest will be stayed.

This is the second time Uniting Missouri has been sanctioned by the ethics commission for violating campaign finance laws.

Last year, the PAC was fined $2,000 for failing to report flights on private planes for the governor to attend the Super Bowl and an event at the White House.

Though Parson can’t run for re-election, Uniting Missouri continues raising and spending money on his behalf. In October, the PAC reported raising $263,000 over the previous three months, with $175,000 cash on hand.

Since that October report was filed, Uniting Missouri has taken in more than $200,000 in large donations.

(Photo/Missouri Governor's Office)