Representative Huelskamp’s Campaign Responds to DA’s Inquiry

District Attorney Charles Branson announced today that his office received a reply from Congressman Tim Huelskamp via his campaign regarding the March 18, 2014, inquiry from Branson’s office.  That inquiry was prompted when a Douglas County resident received an email asking him to contribute to the campaign of Congressman Huelskamp by paying a minimum of ten dollars for a chance to win a set of tickets to the NCAA National Basketball Tournament in St. Louis.  The resident contacted Branson’s office to inquire whether such a solicitation was legitimate.

“It is not uncommon for this office to receive complaints or questions about these types of solicitations”, Branson said.  “Often times, charitable organizations or other well-intentioned groups organize events which run afoul of the criminal prohibition of these types of drawings.  Unless we have some reason to believe there was some actual intent to operate in violation of the law, we do not usually initiate a formal prosecution.”  Branson said that in light of the response and a promise by the campaign to make available any records related to the inquiry in the future, his office planned no further investigation or action. 

The response provided by Congressman Huelskamp said that the “inexact nature of the terms” used to invite participation in the drawing resulted in an offering that Kansas law prohibits.  The response said that as soon as the campaign realized the issue, they took steps to correct the language and offer refunds with follow-up emails to anyone who participated under the belief that they had to pay to participate. 

The response went on to say the Congressman wants to “project a public persona of respect” for the office’s inquiry and the laws of Kansas.  The response acknowledged that Branson’s office had acted appropriately to address the conduct that gave rise to the illegal solicitation.  The letter from Congressman Huelskamp’s campaign “admits” that in notifying the public, Branson’s office did “not open itself to filings alleging prosecutorial misconduct.” 

“My office has frequently issued public notices or statements when we have received reports about such events.  Our purpose in doing so is to both warn the public and try to determine who is responsible.  This is the first time the issue has arisen in connection with an elected official but that did not change the fact that we believed it was appropriate to respond as we have in the past,” said Branson. 

The response revealed the campaign’s records would show for Douglas County, only a single donation had been received from a resident.  As part of their effort to correct the concerns raised by Branson’s inquiry, the campaign contacted that person to say a refund would be offered if desired.

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