Irregularities Found in Hodges & Mannino Campaign Finance Reports

By Dave Freneaux

The Louisiana Ethics Administration oversees all financial disclosure and reporting by candidates for public office across our state. As a result of a matter brought to our attention, Central Speaks has reviewed over 200 pages of documents required to be submitted by the six candidates for House and Senate races affecting the citizens of Central.

Valarie Hodges Campaign Amends Candidate’s Report

Candidates for Louisiana House and Senate are required to file a Candidate’s Report, detailing all campaign contributions and expenditures. Valarie Hodges, a candidate in House District 64, did fi le the report on time on September 22nd, but the report contained a $1,200 payment to her daughter, who lives with Ms. Hodges, for “Contract labor”. Such payments to family members are prohibited by the Louisiana Campaign Finance Disclosure Act. This issue was brought to the attention of Central Speaks by the Barry Elkins campaign, and Central Speaks immediately contacted Ms. Hodges for a response. A Hodges campaign official stated that they were unaware that the transaction was prohibited.

In bringing this issue to light, candidate Barry Elkins stated, “Whether Ms. Hodges knew about this law or not isn’t the point.” After being made aware of the issue, the Hodges campaign filed an amended Candidate’s Report, reclassifying the payment as a $1,200 “In-Kind Contribution” from Valerie Hodges to her campaign, and reducing the amount of her personal loans to the campaign by $1,200.

The Valarie Hodges campaign has issued the following statement on the matter: “There was an error made when my campaign report was filed by my accountant.  We have since filed an amended report with the State correcting the mistake. There was absolutely NO check written or cash given to any family member from my campaign funds. An in-kind donation that we made personally to my campaign was mistakenly reported as a campaign loan. It is a simple clerical error that has been corrected with the State. This is much-a-do about nothing.”

Mike Mannino Failed to File Financial Disclosure

Candidates are also required to file a Personal Financial Disclosure Statement within 10 days after qualifying for the election. Mike Mannino qualified for the Senate District 6 race on September 6th but, according to the Louisiana Ethics Administration Mr. Mannino has not yet fi led a Financial Disclosure.  The Louisiana Ethics Administration sent a Notice of Delinquency via certified mail to Mr. Mannino on September 29th, giving him 14 business days to file the report before being subjected to fines. 

Reached for comment, Mr. Mannino was unaware that he needed to file the report. He stated “They should have one on file there for me from the last race. I thought I was in compliance.  I have nothing to hide.”  Mr. Mannino immediately filed his Personal Financial Disclosure via fax.