Amid all the other headlines from today’s campaign finance disclosures, here’s one that’s a bit off the beaten path.
The GEO Group Inc., a South Florida-based private prison firm, has scrapped its state-level political action committee after an audit by the Florida Department of State found it was taking in contributions that exceeded state limits.
A letter from the company to state election authorities says GEO was operating as a federal committee, and was not aware that filing reports with Florida officials meant it was bound by state contribution limits, which at $500 are lower than what is allowed under federal law. Those letters and other related documents can be found here.
The committee officially disbanded on May 18, but not before giving $500 to state Rep. Esteban Bovo’s recent successful bid for the Miami-Dade county commission earlier that month. It also gave $2,500 to Republican Congressman Ander Crenshaw’s reelection campaign, which was returned.
The committee reports contributions to candidates around the country, including Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Texas. During the first quarter of this year, it also gave money to state Senate President Mike Haridopolos’ U.S. Senate campaign committee (Friends of Mike H), as well as Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami.
