DENVER—Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Monday notified prosecutors that more spending violations have been uncovered from his 2006 campaign, and that a former aide has written his campaign a check for $10,340 to correct the problem.
Ritter had told the Arapahoe County district attorney in April that his campaign violated finance laws by improperly paying about $217,000 to 28 vendors last year.
He said at the time his campaign and inaugural committee chairman, Greg Kolomitz, also overpaid himself and his company $83,250 out of Ritter’s inaugural account.
Ritter’s spokesman, Evan Dreyer, said the district attorney is still investigating.
The governor’s lawyer, Michael Plachy, told the district that two more improper payments totaling $37,500 were discovered, but that an investigation by the campaign also determined that Kolomitz was entitled to $27,160 in unreimbursed expenses. He also said Kolomitz last week paid the difference.
The governor said his campaign committee has taken out a $200,000 loan to repay the expenses, which were incorrectly paid out of his inaugural committee’s bank account.
Ritter said he asked an accounting firm to conduct a final review when the problems were discovered. He and his wife personally secured the $200,000 loan with a deed of trust on their private home and plan to solicit campaign donations to pay off the loan.
Rick Kornfeld, an attorney for Kolomitz, said the issue with the governor has been resolved.
“There was an overpayment one way and money was owed Greg and the balance has been paid. The issue with them is closed,” Kornfeld said.
Ritter said the irregularities occurred after the election and would not have impacted the outcome of his race against Republican congressman Bob Beauprez, who lost in the general election.
Ritter said he has known Kolomitz for years but that Kolomitz will have no future role in his campaigns.
Ritter said he raised about $1.1 million for his inauguration, which included two sold-out inaugural dinners, a concert featuring country singer Jessie Colter, a train tour from Greeley to Pueblo, and a flying tour of the Western Slope. He said the expenses weren’t extravagant.
