APOC sets Tuesday hearings on four disclosure complaints against statewide candidates

The Alaska Public Offices Commission will hold remote hearings Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 9:30 am on four complaints against Bernadette Wilson, Tregarrick Taylor and Zachary Johnson.

Wilson is running for governor. Johnson is running for lieutenant governor alongside Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom declined to certify Taylor's nomination Aug. 31, then reversed course Sept. 4.

Former Anchorage Assembly member Christopher Constant filed two campaign disclosure complaints. One says Taylor's campaign labeled 24 consulting and legal vendor payments only "Retainer." Taylor signed a proposed settlement acknowledging two incomplete reports. He agreed to amend them and pay $1,087.50 if commissioners approve.

Constant's other complaint questions a $25,000 contribution to Wilson's campaign from "LLC, IPOP" of Las Vegas, and processing fees he calculates at 27.77% of contributions. Staff recommends upholding it with a $2,497 penalty. Wilson refunded the contribution, though she argues it was allowed, and concedes she misreported the fees.

Joel Borgquist filed the other two complaints, over personal financial disclosures. He says Wilson's May 29 statement omitted her 75% ownership of Denali Disposal Inc. Staff found the omission but no intent to deceive, and recommends she amend the statement and that penalties of up to $1,020 be waived. Staff also concluded she does not need to list the company's clients. Wilson backs the staff report. Borgquist argued the omission is not a technicality because the company produces her income.

Borgquist also says Johnson omitted rental income and trust details. Johnson's prehearing brief says the complaint rests on factual errors: he manages, but does not own, Wild Air Farm LLC for his late grandmother's estate. Staff found no evidence of omitted income and recommends only that he amend his statement with further details about the trust.

At a Sept. 10 special meeting, the commission declined to fast-track Borgquist's complaints. It said both must be resolved before voting, since noncompliant candidates can be denied office.