EVERETT — State Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, asked the state Public Disclosure Commission today to investigate if a Seattle political consultant and an alliance of forces illicitly funneled money into a campaign against her in the final days of the primary.
Her 16-page complaint focuses on the unreported source of funding for two mailers sent to voters supporting Rod Rieger, a Republican opponent who is 116 votes ahead of Berkey for the second and final spot in the November election.
Berkey contends the mailers swayed enough voters to change the outcome of the election against her. She wants the commission to call for a special election or order her named placed on the general election ballot.
Lori Anderson, a spokeswoman for the PDC, confirmed the agency began investigating the complaint today.
Moxie Media of Seattle produced the two mailers for the Cut Taxes political action committee. The top contributor listed on each one as Conservative PAC. Neither political action committee has reported receiving any contributions for the 2010 primary.
“At this point, no individual or organization has stepped up to sponsor these communications. If that changes, then that will be reported as required,” said Lisa MacLean, one of the firm’s leaders.
Moxie Media also served as consultant for a coalition of labor unions and social progressives that financed a $300,000 campaign opposing Berkey and supporting a Democratic challenger, Nick Harper.
Berkey, in her complaint, contends the two PACs listed on the mailers are part of a “shell game” that Moxie Media and the coalition used to conceal their efforts to unseat her.
MacLean rejected the charge.
“There was nothing untoward or illegal that happened here,” she said. “I think that the complaint is a political tactic.”
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com
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