Moore Sent Campaign Fundraising Appeal From State Account

Rep. Lewis Moore appears to have sent a multi-candidate campaign fundraiser appeal from his state email account.

Asked about it by The McCarville Report, Moore, apologized and said, “If I did send out a fundraising notice it was inadvertent and a mistake.  I have been working on several work projects and the Town Hall meeting last night from my home and on my personal laptop when it occurred.  I am upset and embarrassed that it happened. I’ve apologized to my colleagues, the Speaker and have asked the House IT department to see how this could be avoided in the future. I’ve also notified the Ethics Commission and explained the situation to them as well.”

The email, sent Thursday afternoon and including a flyer listing the candidates, shows to be from Moore’s “okhouse.gov” account and the subject is “Invite to candidate fundraiser!”

The candidates listed are Moore, Mike Christian, Dan Kirby, Aaron Stiles, Leslie Obsorn, Jon Echols and Justin Wood.

State law reads (in part):
257:10-1-3. Use of public funds, property, time, and personnel to influence elections
A person shall not use or authorize the use of public funds, property, or time, to participate or assist in the organization of or preparation for a fundraiser for a campaign or in any solicitation of funds for or against a candidate for state office or a ballot measure.

The Arcadia Republican’s email includes the official House disclaimer at the bottom.

From: “Lewis H. Moore” <Lewis.Moore@okhouse.gov>
Date: October 2, 2014 at 4:55:41 PM CDT
Subject: Invite to candidate fundraiser !

NOTICE: The information in this email is confidential, legally privileged, and exempt from disclosure under law. It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this email by anyone else is
unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and unlawful.The Oklahoma House of Reps does not warrant any e-mail transmission received as being virus free, and disclaims any liability for losses or damages arising from the use of this e-mail or its attachments. Recipients of e-mail assume the risk of possible computer virus exposure by opening or utilizing the e-mail and its attachments, and waive any right or recourse against the House by doing so.