Pima County Supervisor Bronson Commits Viral Campaign Finance Violation
Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson and her campaign consultant, Shasta McManus, of Strategic Issues Management Group appear to have violated state statute, according to emails turned over to the Arizona Daily Independent. The emails were part of a records request filed last month.
McManus appeared to be giddy when she announced in an email dated May 20, 2016 that she wanted to make a story about a 19 year old’s fake website go viral. Unfortunately for the pair, the excitement got them better of them and in the course of the scheme they used County resources in violation of state law.
According to Republican Legislative District Chair Sergio Arellano, whose District is partially represented by Bronson, a report will be filed with the Attorney General’s office. Arellano stated in an appearance on the James T. Harris radio show stated that it was unfortunate that Bronson and McManus wanted to use a mistake by a 19 year old to attack Supervisor Ally Miller.
At issue is the decision by Ally Miller’s staffer, 19 year old Timothy DesJarlais, to create a fake news website on his own time. DesJarlais at first denied making the website when other campaigns complained of it to local media. Eventually he admitted to making the site, but not before tabloids used it to attack Miller. While Miller’s challenger John Winchester made false accusations about Miller, Supervisor Ray Carroll, and Bronson used the faux scandal to abuse Miller at Board meetings.
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