Murphy's Campaign Office Rent Questioned
The race for the Republican nomination for the Corporation Commission is barely underway, but already questions are being raised about contender Dana Murphy's expenditure of just $50 a month in rent for office space from a maxed-out donor.
Murphy is renting an office from Oklahoma City-based Marlin Oil Co., which is owned by her campaign manager, longtime GOP activist and financial supporter Ralph Harvey.
A representative of opponent Rep. Rob Johnson's campaign, Rep. Trebor Worthen, dubbed the rate "a sweetheart deal” and questioned whether it violated ethics rules. That question would involve fair market value.
Harvey already has given the maximum $5,000 contribution to Murphy's campaign, Ethics Commission records show. Giving free office rent, or apparently giving greatly reduced rent that's below fair market value, could be an in-kind contribution and a violation of ethics rules.
Murphy's campaign wrote a $400 check April 1 to pay for rent from December through July, said Stephen Rhymer, Murphy's spokesman. Another $400 check will be paid in August to cover the period from August through the end of this year, he said.
"The rent has been paid and will appear on the next filing,” he told The Oklahoman's Michael McNutt. "Ralph is a supporter of hers and we certainly don't want anybody to think that we're doing something we shouldn't be.”
Rep. Trebor Worthen, who is Johnson's campaign consultant, questioned the rent payments. "It has to be fair-market value,” he said of the rent. He called it a sweetheart deal from a contributor.
Johnson, of Kingfisher, is paying $500 a month for his Oklahoma City campaign office, said Keili Hicks, Johnson's campaign manager.
Murphy is renting an office from Oklahoma City-based Marlin Oil Co., which is owned by her campaign manager, longtime GOP activist and financial supporter Ralph Harvey.
A representative of opponent Rep. Rob Johnson's campaign, Rep. Trebor Worthen, dubbed the rate "a sweetheart deal” and questioned whether it violated ethics rules. That question would involve fair market value.
Harvey already has given the maximum $5,000 contribution to Murphy's campaign, Ethics Commission records show. Giving free office rent, or apparently giving greatly reduced rent that's below fair market value, could be an in-kind contribution and a violation of ethics rules.
Murphy's campaign wrote a $400 check April 1 to pay for rent from December through July, said Stephen Rhymer, Murphy's spokesman. Another $400 check will be paid in August to cover the period from August through the end of this year, he said.
"The rent has been paid and will appear on the next filing,” he told The Oklahoman's Michael McNutt. "Ralph is a supporter of hers and we certainly don't want anybody to think that we're doing something we shouldn't be.”
Rep. Trebor Worthen, who is Johnson's campaign consultant, questioned the rent payments. "It has to be fair-market value,” he said of the rent. He called it a sweetheart deal from a contributor.
Johnson, of Kingfisher, is paying $500 a month for his Oklahoma City campaign office, said Keili Hicks, Johnson's campaign manager.
Labels: Dana Murphy, Ralph Harvey, Rob Johnson, Trebor Worthen
posted by Mike McCarville @ 8:57 PM
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