Challenger Questions Fundraiser for Snow

The Republican candidate challenging Loudoun County Supervisor Stephen J. Snow (R-Dulles) has filed a complaint with the commonwealth's attorney alleging that Snow's campaign had an illegal fundraiser last month.

In the complaint sent last week to Loudoun Commonwealth's Attorney James E. Plowman (R), real estate investor A. "Jey" Jeyanathan said the fundraiser March 2 included a raffle, which political candidates are not allowed to use as a fundraising tool under the state's campaign finance law.

The fundraiser was a reception at Moore Cadillac Hummer on Route 50 in Chantilly. With his letter, Jeyanathan enclosed a copy of the invitation and a photo that, according to the GOP challenger, shows Snow picking the winning raffle tickets. The invitation says that admission to the fundraiser is $100 a person; it does not mention any charge to participate in the raffle.

"The Snow campaign should know better as they have longtime political advisers and professional staff handling the campaign," Jeyanathan wrote in his letter to Plowman. "The violation was not accidental and was carefully designed to attract funds from the public and gain an unfair advantage."

In a statement Friday, Snow's campaign called Jeyanathan's charges "unfounded and scurrilous." The statement said the activity at the March 2 event was a drawing, not a raffle, and "therefore was conducted in full compliance with all applicable campaign laws. Our campaign has been assured by responsible authorities that no grounds exist for action on their part."

Snow did not return phone calls seeking further comment.

Chris Piper, campaign finance division manager for the Virginia State Board of Elections, said state law prohibits candidates from holding raffles under any circumstances.

"The State Board of Elections, our policies and guidelines, state very clearly that a political organization cannot host raffles," Piper said.

An aide to Plowman said Friday he had received the complaint and had no comment.

Jeyanathan asked that all funds collected at the event be forfeited or returned. He also asked Plowman to recuse himself and appoint an independent party to investigate the complaint, so that Plowman would not be placed in the position of investigating a fellow county official.

Snow's latest campaign finance report, filed Monday, does not show how much was raised at the event. The form does not require candidates to list donations of $100 or less. His report does list a $10,000 in-kind contribution from Moore Cadillac Hummer for providing food, drinks and facilities for the fundraiser.

Jeyanathan also asked for an investigation of Snow's lobbying, during a Board of Supervisors meeting March 6, for changes to the county's sign ordinance that would benefit the car dealership.