Pols, hopefuls owe thousands in late reporting fees

Political campaign committees for elected officials and ballot issues in west Oakland County owe the county Clerk/Register of Deeds Office thousands of dollars in late campaign finance report filing fees.

Larry Horowitz, a West Bloomfield Township Democrat serving on the township’s Parks and Recreation Commission, owes $3,800, the most out of any elected official in the lakes area.

Staff in the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office Elections Division said the late fees, which are charged at $25 per business day that pre- and post-election campaign finance statements are filed after the due date, max out at $500. At the point a debt goes unpaid for 60 days, it becomes a debt to the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office.

Staff also said that, in total, somewhere in the neighborhood of $100,000 is owed in late filing fees for campaign finance reports.

Horowitz’s $3,800 debt represents the fifth-highest amount owed in late fees to the clerk’s office. He said he wasn’t aware that he owed the money and didn’t do any fund-raising for his campaign.

“I’m not aware of any moneys owed,” he said.

And it’s not just Horowitz.

White Lake Township Democrat Thomas Ring’s committee to run for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ 5th District seat owes $2,500. He ran in 2006 against Oakland County Commissioner John Scott (R-Waterford, West Bloomfield), taking home 44 percent of the vote to Scott’s 56 percent.

A number listed for Ring had been disconnected.

Jane Felice-Boudreau, a Democratic candidate for Oakland County sheriff who ran for that position in 2008 and is seeking Sheriff Michael Bouchard’s job again this year, owes $960; and Citizens for Oakland County Parks and Recreation owes $500.

“It will definitely be up to snuff before (the May candidate filing deadline),” Felice-Boudreau said.

Walled Lake City Councilman Casey Ambrose’s committee owes $150. He, too, said he was unaware of the late fee and that he would be paying it soon. As of press time on Monday, March 26, Ambrose’s fee hadn’t been paid.

White Lake Township Library Board of Trustees President Jennifer L. Schulz owes $90, while Wixom Public Library Board of Trustees President Kelli Dungan owes $50, according to Clerk/Register of Deeds Office.

Staff in the Elections Division said the office’s database reflects the most accurate information available.

Ninety-three political committees continue to owe late fees for campaign finance reports, as of press time Monday.