Paul Caldwell, a state House candidate in Benton County, neglected to file a required financial statement until more than two months after the deadline.
After being alerted by 5NEWS on Friday (May 16) that his Statement of Financial Interest had not been filed, Caldwell said his campaign treasurer then submitted the paperwork to Secretary of State Mark Martin’s office in Little Rock.
“It’s just a mistake,” Caldwell told 5NEWS. “I’ll get it corrected.”
Caldwell is vying for the open House District 90 seat in Tuesday’s primary election against fellow Republicans Jana Della Rosa and Mike Whitmore.
The statements were due March 10 for non-incumbents, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
Della Rosa’s statement is stamped as filed on March 14, while Whitmore’s is stamped as filed on April 1.
A candidate who neglects to file the statement could face a public letter of caution, warning or reprimand and a fine of $50 to $2,000, said Graham Sloan, director of the Arkansas Ethics Commission. He said a candidate’s first offense usually results in a milder punishment.
A candidate who neglects to file a Statement of Financial Interest is not barred from seeking office or from taking office after winning an election, Sloan said.
To view the financial statement for Whitmore, click here.
To view the financial statement for Della Rosa, click here.
To view the financial statement for Caldwell, click here.
