CAMPAIGN SMEAR
An anonymous IRS complaint alleging tax fraud landed on the
Mercury news desk last week, alleging that city council
candidate Charles Lewis “has expolited [sic] the work of Ethos
Music Center, a nonprofit organization which he founded and directs,
for the promotion of his bid for elected office.”
The supposed evidence? A November 2007 fundraiser “benefitting
[sic] both Ethos and his election campaign,” which the
complainant alleges violates rules against nonprofits participating in
political candidates’ campaigns.
Tim Crail, treasurer for candidate Amanda Fritz, called the city
auditor “to express concern” over the same issue last November,
according to a November 26 memo from City Elections Officer Andrew
Carlstrom. Crail, who did not file a formal complaint with Carlstrom,
says the IRS complaint was “absolutely not” from him, and his November
calls to the auditor were simply to ask questions.
The auditor “said there was no merit whatsoever” to the concerns in
November, Lewis says, adding that “Ethos and my campaign are two
totally separate organizations. The charges made via anonymous letter
are absolutely baseless.”
Indeed, the fundraiser—hosted by Amplified Techniques, a
separate third party—benefited Ethos via a $7 suggested donation.
Volunteers also solicited $5 contributions for Lewis’ campaign outside
the venue. AMY J. RUIZ
RACIAL PROFILING SUIT
An African American man is suing the police bureau
for racial profiling, after winning his appeal in the ninth circuit
court in June last year. Bennie Demetrius Washington was found guilty
of possessing a firearm after a gun was found in his car by Officers
Daryl Shaw and Troy Pahlke in November 2004, but the appeals court
ruled that their search of his vehicle was unconstitutional. Washington’s suit, which seeks unspecified damages, alleges Shaw and Pahlke, “both white officers, were desirous of harassing a young black
male adult.” MATT DAVIS
DEBATE CLUB
It’s been less than a month since Oregon’s domestic partnership law
took effect (see pg. 6 for an update on implementation of the law). Is
extending marriage to same-sex couples next? If it is, how do we get
there? Join the Mercury and the Bus Project for our monthly
Debate Club series, as our panel of guests dissects domestic
partnerships vs. marriage—the conversation’s happening at
rontom’s (600 E Burnside) on Wednesday, February 27, at 7 pm. AJR