Assembly candidate contemplates returning tainted funds

by Sean Doogan,
Reprinted from KTUU © Copyright 2000 - 2008 WorldNow and KTUU. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, March 3, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Fallout continues from the recorded phone conversation between two Anchorage assemblymen, Chairman Dan Coffey and Bill Starr.

West Anchorage Assembly candidate Sherri Jackson says she is considering whether to return $1,500 given to her campaign by Coffey.

Coffey was not listed as a treasurer with the Jackson campaign at the time.

Election law only allows people who are listed as treasurers to receive or allocate campaign donations.

The checks are listed on Sherri Jackson's report to the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Monday was a disclosure deadline.

One of Jackson's opponents for the seat says a decision on whether or not to return the money would be easy for her.

"I think that's up to her. I would return it if I were in her shoes," said Harriet Drummond, another candidate for the West Anchorage seat. "I would return it, but whether she returns it that's up to her personal code of ethics."

Jackson says she'll make a decision by the end of the week.

"My campaign manager arrives tomorrow from his vacation," Jackson said." We are sitting down by Friday and we are making it collectively together as the proper decision."

Bill Starr, who is running to continue representing Eagle River, says he returned all of his campaign donations on Feb. 27
APOC and the FBI both say they've launched investigations into the conversation between Starr and Coffey..

Contact Sean Doogan at sdoogan@ktuu.com