McMahon, a Republican for U.S. Senate, had been directed by the Federal Election Commission to submit a more detailed filing for the 3rd quarter of 2009.
To read the amended report, click here: McMahon 3rd qtr amend.pdf
McMahon’s initial filing did not disclose payments for political consulting work and other in-kind services performed as she prepared to launch her campaign, a fact first reported by The Day of New London’s Ted Mann.
McMahon’s filing shows what some of those consultants are earning. For instance, the Texas firm headed by Republican media consultant Scott Howell, a protege of Karl Rove, was paid more than $1.2 million.
UPDATE: McMahon spokesman Ed Patru points out that Howell’s firm did not actually pocket the entire $1.2 million — most of the went to TV ad buys, which the firm buys on behalf of the campaign. “It’s not accurate to say he was paid all that money,” Patru writes in an email. “Every campaign does it that way – the media guy places the ad buy.”
November Inc., the Nevada-based firm headed by consultant Mike Slanker, was paid $46,000. Slanker was reportedly issued a subpoena by the Senate Ethics Committee, which is investigating Slanker’s client, U.S. Sen. John Ensign of Nevada. The FBI is also looking into the Ensign matter as well.
Moore Information, McMahon’s pollster, was paid more $42,000. The firm is under investigation by the New Hampshire attorney general’s office for violating the state’s ban on push poll.
But it’s not just out-of-state firms who are benefitting from McMahon’s largesse. The Hartford firm of Sullivan and LeShane was paid at least $90,000 for political consulting and communications work.
The salaries of McMahon’s campaign manager, David Cappiello, and several other top aides are not included because they did not join the campaign until after the 3rd quarter had ended.
According to the revised filing, McMahon lent her campaign $2.5 million in the 3rd quarter.
As far as donations, the multi-millionaire has said she will primarily self-fund (to the tune of up to $50 million.) But she will accept individual contributions of up to $100 and her filing shows she received dozens of such small donations, including $100 from Lowell Weicker of Smyrna, Ga.
The McMahon campaign was under order from the FEC to file an amended report of risk enforcement action.