Columbia council member fined for campaign finance violation

Ward 1 Columbia City Council member Clyde Ruffin paid a $100 fine this week to the Missouri Ethics Commission for transferring money left over from his 2015 election committee to himself.

Final reports from the Missouri Ethics Commission show Ruffin had $274.72 left in his campaign committee account after winning the 2015 City Council race.

James Klahr, executive director of the Missouri Ethics Commission, said the commission received a complaint about the fund transfer earlier in 2017, which sparked an investigation.

“The fact that someone would go back that far to look for something seems to be interesting that they would do it especially during the re-election season,” Ruffin said.

Ruffin said after his first time running for public office, he was unsure of the proper procedures for the extra funds. He said he spent the extra money on office supplies, such as paper and stamps, after reviewing the commission rules and regulations.

Ruffin said he was able to provide receipts to the commission for all of his purchases except for about $74.

Klahr said the commission determined Ruffin’s purchases didn’t fit under the campaign finance laws. The commission ordered Ruffin to pay a $1,000 fee. The order said if Ruffin paid $100 within 45 days of the order signed on July 11, then the commission wouldn’t seek the remaining $900.

“It’s a lesson learned,” Ruffin said. “So now that I have been re-elected I have decided to keep my committee open this time and to keep very accurate records in terms of any of remaining funds that I am currently using.”