NV Democrats File Supplement to FEC Complaint Against Sue Lowden for Illegal Bus Donation

The Nevada State Democratic Party today filed a supplement to its original Federal Elections Commission (FEC) complaint against embattled Republican Senate candidate Sue Lowden, adding new developments in the case that further confirm she accepted an illegal donation of a $100,000+ luxury campaign bus.

Since the original complaint was filed on May 18, 2010, the panicking Lowden campaign has admitted to serious violations of federal election law – fumbling its own attempt at a cover-up.

The first new development in the FEC complaint is that Sue Lowden stated herself that her name, in fact, does appear on the title of the luxury bus.  However, she falsely claims this does not indicate ownership – which would amount to an illegal donation worth more than $100,000.

That directly conflicts with the second important development in the complaint: statements by the Department of Motor Vehicle indicating that according to Nevada law, Sue Lowden does own the luxury bus because her name appears on the title.

The DMV further stated that Nevada law does not recognize “private leases”, another in a litany of irrelevant excuses put forth by the Lowden campaign.

While today’s supplement to the original FEC complaint was prompted by Sue Lowden’s own words, the entire FEC investigation was a direct result of Lowden admitting too much to a reporter.  During an interview with KOLO-TV in Reno, Lowden bragged that her 40-foot luxury campaign bus had been “donated” to her – essentially looking direct-to-camera and admitting she broke the law.

“Why would anyone want to demean the fact that someone donated an RV to me for the campaign?  It’s unfortunate that some of their friends didn’t donate [an RV] to them.”

Click here to view the FEC supplement filed today.

Click here to view the original complaint.  (Attachment A; Attachment B)

“This addition to the original FEC complaint is a direct result of Sue Lowden’s own statements,” said Nevada State Democratic Party attorney Ezra Reese.  “According to Nevada law and her own recent admission, Sue Lowden owns the $100,000 luxury bus, indicating an excessive in-kind contribution and a serious violation of federal election law.  Any attempt to ‘correct’ the record after the fact would not diminish the fact that an offense has been committed.”

 "Sue Lowden's shifting stories are all an effort to cover-up the tracks of her sweetheart deal," said NSDP Communications Director Phoebe Sweet.  "Election laws are there to protect the integrity of our election system by maintaining transparency.  When Lowden thumbed her nose at the law, she also thumbed her nose at Nevada voters and they deserve better."