LaHood Pays For Volunteers, Possibly Violates Law

(7/1/2015) BLOOMINGTON, IL – Sources within the LaHood for congress campaign tell Cities 92.9 that a complex “point system” is being administered within the LaHood campaign where volunteers are paid to volunteer, register people to vote and encourage them to early vote, as well as other various activities.

It’s not clear whether activities violate US Code Section C of 42 US Code Sec 1973i, stating that it is illegal to purchase votes or voter registration in exchange for cash.

A memo circulated by the LaHood campaign, dated July 1 2015, offered “triple points” until election day, and then “5x” points for election day. The points translate into cash payouts monthly.

One GOP insider told Cities 92.9 “this is a very desperate thing to do, to pay for volunteers is like paying for friends, and is not done by someone who thinks they will win an election.”

Attenders of a parade received 5000 points and 1000 additional points for each person brought to the parade to walk with LaHood.

A document given to Cities 92.9 shows full names of people who, when cross checked, show an association with the LaHood campaign, as well as some with no known connection. Many on the list are college students.

Cash payouts go from $100 to $1,000 and are on a monthly basis.

The campaign is using a smartphone app called Advantage to track activities.

LaHood has had a questionable legal background, being accused of prosecutorial misconduct by a federal judge, then later visiting the home of a rape victim in 2008 during the course of his failed campaign for state’s attorney.

The primary election is less than a week away, on Tuesday July 7, and will be decided between LaHood and conservative anti-establishment candidate Mike Flynn.

-- Cities News Staff 1