The former appointed Chief of Police for OPD left many observers wondering about her Mayoral campaign’s finance activity.
By Jacob Engels
It looks like Chief Demings has some explaining to do about reimbursements processed from her failed bid for Mayor of Orange County in 2014.
Information obtained to by the East Orlando Post suggests that Demings, now a congressional candidate in Florida’s 10th district, violated campaign finance rules by refunding or reimbursing a select few instead of the pro-rata required by law.
After raising and spending nearly $260,000.00, Demings reimbursed or gave to charities a total of $13,075.00, according to campaign finance records.
This is where it gets interesting.
$6,750.00 of those reimbursements went to individuals listed as consultants or lobbyists, with notable names including Southern Strategy’s Kelly Cohen and special interest insider Brian May… whose firm Floridian Partners also received a large reimbursement.
A campaign finance and elections law expert told us that it looks like Demings could be “knee deep” in potential violations.
“It would appear that Val might of not followed the proper guidelines and statutes. It is curious that virtually all of her reimbursements went to lobbyists and consultants. Why were these people chosen over donors of smaller amounts?”
Worse then potentially violating campaign finance rules, a source close to the Demings 2014 mayoral bid tell us that the current congressional candidate was advised on the rules in “explicit nature.”
Mrs. Demings proximity to political power brokers and special pleaders is not news by any means. She has been the beneficiary of a coordinated effort from congressional insiders and lobbyists checkbooks and endorsements. We have reported on the meddling from special pleaders several times.
Recent campaign finance reports in that congressional race revealed that Bob Poe, a successful businessman & entrepreneur, leads the field. Mr. Poe has put together an impressive donor base and volunteer outfit.
Other candidates include Attorney Fatima Fahmy and State Senator Gerladine Thompson.
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post & Seminole County Post. He is a seasoned political operative who has led numerous statewide political groups and has worked on several high-profile local, statewide, and national races. Jacob has been interviewed on national television & radio programs, with his work having been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and other publications nationwide. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
