The State Board of Elections revealed its official request Thursday afternoon asking for more information on Wake County Democrat Representative Ty Harrell's campaign finance reports.

 The request comes in the midst of an audit the State Board of Elections is performing on Harrell's campaign expenses.

In the letter addressed to Joseph Slaton, whom the Board of Elections said is Harrell's treasurer, the board asks him to clear up some book keeping and expenditures over the past two years described as "vague."

"Candidate Obligation" and "Donor Cultivation" are just two of the descriptions in the campaign finance reports the State Board of Elections wants to know more about. Between 2007 and 2009 the board has questions concerning more than $13,000 dollars worth of expenses, many having to do with travel and meals at restaurants.

State Elections Director Gary Bartlett said it's routine to review campaign finance forms starting with gubernatorial candidates and working down; but he said there are more than the normal number of questions on Harrell's.

"Normally it's a half a dozen to a dozen issues. Here it is like I say over 200 issues," Bartlett said. "There seems to be some incomplete or insufficient information regarding a lot of his expenditures."

The letter also asks for clarification for "cash on hand" in 2008 and 2009 as well as $636 the 2009 mid-year report shows Harrell owes his campaign.

Harrell, who is now in his second two-year term as a state representative, said he hasn't seen the letter from the State Board of Elections yet.

"It is my full intention to fully comply with the requests made once they're made," Harrell said.

He said the travel expenses were part of his job as a legislator and the restaurant expenses were campaign related.

"The meetings that I had were with individuals to talk about my re-election as well as potential for running for a higher office," Harrell said. "By no means was I living off of my campaign resources."

On Wednesday, House Speaker Joe Hackney asked the Legislative Ethics Committee to investigate "whether campaign finance irregularities" in Harrell's reports amount to "violations of the legislative ethics act, or the criminal law, or both."

It's not clear how long it will take to wrap up either investigation. Bartlett said Harrell is cooperating fully with the audit.

"Our interest in this is getting disclosure for the public," Bartlett said.

Harrell said he feels he hasn't done anything wrong.

"I don't feel that that's the case," Harrell said.

Related Links

1. The State Board of Elections' Request For More Information Regarding Harrell's Campaign Finance Reports