UPDATE: Dutchess Dems falsely accuse Republican of campaign finance fraud

November 1, 2023
1:03 pm

TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Democratic Committee Chairman Michael Dupree is alleging that a Republican town supervisor candidate has committed campaign finance violations by accepting thousands of dollars more than the law allows. Dupree says that Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor John “Jay” Baisley, a Republican seeking re-election has received more than $26,000 in contributions to his campaign that exceed the allowable limits. The allegation appears to be a falsehood.*

*UPDATE* The follow-up investigation by Mid-Hudson News, indicates that the Democrats have misinterpreted or misrepresented the contents of the Baisley contribution list. The list (below) is not individual donations, as the Democrats have asserted but indicates that the Democrats have counted separate donations two or more times than what has been contributed to Supervisor Baisley. The donors have not exceeded the contribution limits.

Dupree and Dutchess County Democratic Elections Commissioner Hannah Black say the maximum allowable contribution for the Town of Poughkeepsie race for supervisor from individuals and LLCs is set at $1,419.90. Baisley’s campaign finance filings show 18 donations from individuals and their associated LLCs, that exceed the limits, according to Dupree.

“The Democrats are dead wrong,” Dutchess County Republican Chairman Michael McCormack told Mid-Hudson News. “Jay Baisley’s campaign treasurer confirmed with the New York State Board of Elections that the donations received by the Baisley re-election campaign and the associated campaign finance filings are correct and within the election law requirements. This is nothing more than a last-ditch effort by Democrats to smear Supervisor Baisley.”

Chairman Dupree has filed a complaint with the New York State Board of Elections Division of Law Enforcement regarding the following contributions to the Baisley re-election campaign. However, upon further investigation by Mid-Hudson News, it has been determined that the Dutchess Dems have misinterpreted the Baisley contribution list. The list below is not individual donations, as the Democrats have asserted. Upon review, the filing shows that Democrats are counting donations two or more times, which is inaccurate.

The filing lists individuals or LLCs in rows. To the right of the name is a column for “Type of Donation”. The first appearance of the name is marked with a “C” which indicates that it is a donation in that column. Further down, the donor’s name will appear again. At first glance, it would appear that the person has made a second contribution, according to Democrats. That is inaccurate. Again, under the “Type of Donation” column, it will be coded with an “O” which indicates that the second appearance of the donor’s name is merely additional information for the original donation – not a separate donation.