State commission fines governor candidate Bernadette Wilson $2,473.50 over LLC contribution

The Alaska Public Offices Commission fined Republican governor candidate Bernadette Wilson $2,473.50 in a final order dated Thursday. The commission cited a prohibited $25,000 corporate contribution and underreported online fundraising spending. It set the maximum possible penalty at $26,225.

A separate order requires Wilson, a 75% owner of Denali Disposal Inc. according to state corporate records, to fully disclose that ownership on her candidate financial disclosure. It carries no penalty.

Both orders passed 4-0 after a hearing Tuesday. A fifth commissioner did not take part.

Former Anchorage Assembly member Christopher Constant filed the complaint in July. It cited $25,000 from IPOP, LLC of Las Vegas, which Wilson's 30-day primary report showed arriving April 20. The campaign refunded the money Aug. 6. Alaska law bars candidates from taking contributions from corporations and other companies. Staff wrote in September that "Respondent accepted $25,000 from an LLC," and the commission agreed.

Constant also flagged about $109,000 paid to WinRed, the online donation platform, on roughly $393,000 raised by card. He said the rate "is roughly seven times what WinRed itself says it charges." Staff traced the money to four consultants working under WinRed. The commission ordered Wilson to amend her 30-day and 7-day primary reports.

The campaign also reimbursed five people who were not treasurers or deputy treasurers. Citing a prior case, the commission let Wilson keep $6,080.24 in late airfare reimbursements to herself that staff had wanted repaid.

Wilson's lawyer, Robert D. Stone, wrote that the complaint "centers on minor reporting issues that Respondent has worked diligently to resolve."

A separate disclosure complaint from Joel Borgquist called the omitted waste business "the business that produces her income." Wilson amended her disclosure Sept. 28. Staff set the maximum penalty at $1,020 and recommended waiving it. The commission did not require her to list the company's clients.

Either side may ask the commission to reconsider within 15 days of receiving the order or appeal to superior court within 30 days.