Concord
Former state GOP Chairman Fergus Cullen this week filed a complaint with the FEC alleging that Guinta essentially kept $81,500 for himself when he returned $355,000 in illegal campaign donations.
Guinta originally reported those donations as a loan from himself, but later told the commission they came from a “family pot” of money he contributed to and managed. The FEC concluded they were illegal donations from his parents, and Guinta paid back the $355,000 in January.
Cullen argues Guinta had already repaid himself $81,500, and therefore now owes that amount to his campaign.
“By not reimbursing the committee, Frank Guinta has illegally received and retained $81,500 in contributions to his campaign for personal use,” Cullen wrote. “In effect, he paid himself this amount twice.”
Guinta’s spokesman, Jay Ruais, said the FEC knew about the $81,500 payment when it negotiated the settlement agreement but insisted at the time the campaign repay the full $355,000. He said the campaign has been in contact with the FEC about how to address the earlier payment.
“They did not want to address the prior repayment at that time. There is nothing new here,” he said. “Upon signing the conciliation agreement last year, the decision was made with the full knowledge of the FEC to deal first with completing the terms of the settlement.”
Ruais declined to comment specifically on Cullen’s second allegation — that Guinta repaid the loans with money reserved for the general election before the primary.
But he said the campaign is in full compliance with the FEC settlement.
“Every election cycle, hundreds of these complaints are filed with zero merit or purpose beyond generating negative headlines,” he said. “Frank remains focused on issues that truly matter to Granite Staters.”
Guinta was first elected in 2010, lost to Democrat Carol Shea-Porter in 2012, then defeated Shea-Porter last year to take the seat back.
He faces four challengers in the Sept. 13 primary.
Shea-Porter is unopposed in the Democratic primary.