Last week, the Democratic candidate in California's 26th Congressional District race, Julia Brownley, filed a formal complaint with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), alleging that her opponent had accepted illegal funds. 

Tony Strickland, the Republican opponent, is accused of accepting $5,000 in illegal contributions after the deadline for the June primary, according to the Moorpark Acorn.

FEC reports show Strickland received two $2,500 donations each from New York bankers Matt Doheny and David Hilty on June 28, violating the federal campaign finance law which allows an individual to donate a maximum of $2,500 per election cycle. Essentially, two of the four donations were given after the deadline.

If found guilty, Strickland could face anything from a fine to imprisonment.

However, Strickland's campaign manager Jake Parsons said that the money only arrived late and the donations had been received before the deadline, on June 4, and that the order failed to go through because the credit cards used in the donation were declined.

In reports provided to the Acorn by Parsons, credit card information was, in fact, given by both Hilty and Doheny on June 4 for donation.

“(Brownley is) trying to use what she thinks is a loophole to allege that something improper was done,” Parsons said. “Nothing can be further from the truth.”

This is the latest in what appears to be a battle to the finish, with both opponents inching closer and closer to taking the district with little time to go. 

 

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage on local politics in Politically Correct.

Reach Staff Reporter Nandini Ruparel here.