SEARCH NEWS:

 

Bustamante Ordered to Return Tribal Donations

SAN FRANCISCO, California – As reported by the Reuters: "A California judge on Monday ruled Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the front-runner to replace Gov. Gray Davis in a recall vote, must return to Indian tribes large donations that skirted state campaign laws.

"However, Sacramento County Judge Loren McMaster said that there was no basis for finding that Bustamante's campaign had `intentionally violated the law,' an opinion that his supporters said cleared his name.

"Judge McMaster's decision blocked Bustamante from using $3.8 million in donations from seven Indian tribes to either fund his current campaign or to underwrite another ad campaign featuring the candidate in opposition to a ballot measure.

"…Publicity about six-figure contributions to Bustamante's campaign from Indian gaming interests and unions have dogged the candidate who is narrowly leading his main Republican rival Arnold Schwarzenegger in a bid to replace Davis.

"…`All funds accepted by the 2002 committee after Nov. 5, 2002 that have been transferred ... shall be immediately returned to the 2002 committee for proper disposition in accordance with terms of this order,' the judge ruled.

"Bustamante's campaign manager Richie Ross said he was pleased that the decision had exonerated the lieutenant governor from wrongdoing…"

< Gaming News