AG to probe Vermonters First

In a news release issued Thursday afternoon, the Vermont Democratic Party announced the state attorney general’s office will investigate all three campaign finance violations made by Super PAC Vermonters First.

“We are pleased that the attorney general’s office will investigate these clear violations of Vermont law,” stated Vermont Democratic Party Chair Jake Perkinson in the release. “Vermonters First and Lenore Broughton cannot buy Vermont values and they certainly cannot violate our laws.”

The three violations were filed by the Vermont Democratic Party on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24.

Broughton, 74, is heiress to her grandfather, who was chairman of the board of Montgomery Ward & Company.

Vermonters First, a conservative PAC, has been backing Wendy Wilton, the Rutland Republican candidate for treasurer, with a $43,000 mailing this week on top of a $30,000 television ad spend last week. The PAC also had been supporting Republican auditor candidate Vince Illuzzi until he indicated he did not want the support.

Vermonters First’s unprecedented spending and emergence in state politics has generated concerns and accusations of improper campaign finance.

In her letter to Perkinson, Susan R. Young of the attorney general’s office stated the office was investigating. She indicated that Perkinson would be contacted once the review was completed. No timetable was given.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 6.