Senator cancels fundraiser after soliciting of federal employees
Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., canceled a fundraising event after a member of his campaign staff improperly sent letters to HUD employees, soliciting $250 donations.
A member of the campaign staff of Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., improperly sent letters to 180 HUD employees, inviting them to a political fundraiser and soliciting donations of $250 per person, the Denver Post reported.
It is illegal for Senate candidates to ask for political contributions from federal employees.
After learning of the wrongdoing, Allard canceled the event.
"I want to apologize to you on behalf of the Wayne Allard for U.S. Senate campaign for the recent invitation you received to a campaign fundraiser," wrote Allard campaign manager Dick Wadhams in a letter to HUD employees. "A well-meaning member of our campaign sent invitations to staff listed on the HUD Web site. This obviously was inappropriate and should not have been done."
Wadhams would not name who sent out the invitations. He said the staffer was not punished but "was given a strong reminder that we don't do this."