York Admits to Improperly Filing SuperPAC Paperwork

GoLocal News Team

York Admits to Improperly Filing SuperPAC Paperwork

Former Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Myrth York acknowledged that Priorities PVD -- the organization which just launched an anti-Buddy Cianci ad -- could have violated federal election law.

"Priorities PVD is a federal SuperPAC, we're not required to file a notice of organization with the Rhode Island Board of Elections,"  said York.  "We have to comply federally. I was late filing the paperwork, that was my mistake."

Lawyers for the Cianci campaign filed a complaint with the Board of Elections on Wednesday alleging that "specific violations and irregularities as perpetuated by Priorities PVD, a group of people organized with the intent to advocate against Independent Candidate for Mayor of Providence Vincent A. Cianci, Jr. and for the election of Candidate Jorge Elorza".

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York referred to an expenditure with took place Monday.  "That form should have been filed right away, I thought I had seven days to do so, but it being thirty days out, I'm being told it had to be done within 24 hours.  It has now been filed."  

York also stated that she had formed a 501(c)4 this summer -- called "Forward RI" -- which made a contribution to Priorities PVD.

Connecting the Money Dots

Priorities PVD's target: Buddy Cianci
York offered few terms about who was behind the SuperPAC -- and the 501(c)4 she said she formed this summer to "enhance Providence pride."

"I'm treasurer of Priorities PVD," said York  "The form will show a contribution from an organization I started this summer called Forward RI," -- which York said is a 501(c)4.

"Forward RI is a social welfare organization to enhance city pride, and as part of that broarder purpose, Forward RI gave a donation to Priorities PVD," said York.  "We filed Forward RI with the IRS, and we will be filing the required paperwork at the required time."

With speculation surrounding an "Anybody But Cianci" effort that had focused on the formation of 501(c)4, York's revelation of the organization comes less than two weeks prior to the election.  

"There has been no coordination with the campaign," said York.  "I'm not working with Lorne [Adrain], either."

The Elorza campaign distanced themselves from the Cianci allegations on Wednesday as well.  

"The Elorza campaign has not coordinated with any outside group, nor have we been contacted by the Board of Elections regarding this complaint," said Elorza spokesperson David Ortiz.  


 


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