I’m speechless.
First Post: https://utah44.com/slushy-campaign-finances/
Update: https://utah44.com/teuscher-pierucci-and-the-conservative-millennial-pac/
The response (below) from disclosure@utah.gov confirms that in July 2023 a total of $1,500 was transferred to Candice Pierucci two months in advance by Jordan Teuscher (apparently acting as an officer of the Conservative Millennials PAC) that went unreported for two months before it was disclosed on their campaign reports. Even though https://disclosures.utah.gov/File/279 states that contributions must be reported within 31 days of receipt.
Summarizing:
- The Conservative Millennials PAC forwarded money through Jordan Teuscher to Candice Pierucci in July 2023 that was unreported for two months, in violation of disclosure rules.
- Jordan Teuscher either transferred money into his personal account (this would be a separate violation it it occurred), or has at least three accounts (his personal account, the Teuscher campaign account, and the Conservative Millennials PAC account) tied to his personal Venmo. The Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor makes it clear that Venmo can be tied to multiple personal and campaign accounts used to receive, transfer and spend money, even though it is being used for all intents and purposes as a co-mingled financial account.
- Jordan does not disclose his role as an intermediary who received funds from the Conservative Millennials PAC (of which he is a primary officer) in transferring the funds to Candice Pierucci using his personal Venmo, which should be a violation of disclosure rules.
- Candice Pierucci fails to report the July campaign donation she received from Teuscher for two months, which is a violation of disclosure rules.
And the Lieutenant Governor’s office plans to do nothing about it.
Their email closes by saying: “If you don’t like or agree with the laws, please work with your legislators to improve them. Should you win the election you would have the opportunity to propose new legislation as well.”
Does Utah really care about ethics? Do we care about transparency and disclosure? Does it matter that the Republican Lieutenant Governor’s office weighs in favor of two Republican legislators and a Republican PAC who are clearly engaged in improper handling of campaign finances that benefitted them?