ALBANY – Republican members of the state Board of Elections were seeking an emergency meeting yesterday to investigate a charge that the Working Families Party may have illegally funneled nearly $32,000 to ACORN, the left-wing group accused of voter fraud in several parts of the country.
The allegation was outlined in a letter to the state board by a Republican activist, Philip Monthie, who cited a legally required campaign expenditure report from the WFP listing $31,700 as having been expended for “cash.”
Monthie’s complaint contended the listing was a “facial violation” of the state Election Law, which requires that the names and addresses of the recipient of expenditures in excess of $50 must be disclosed.
“The obvious question is what did the Working Families Party do with $31,700 of cash on primary day?” wrote Monthie, noting that the party’s legally required filing also “shows clear connections” with ACORN, which received $8,000 for “consulting.”
The union-backed Working Families Party and ACORN have often coordinated activities and both have offices at 2 Nevins St. in Brooklyn.
The board’s two Republican members, James Walsh and Gregory Peterson, have urged an “emergency meeting” to consider the charge but the two Democratic members, Douglas Kellner and Evelyn Aquila, have refused. A majority vote of three is needed.