State Senator-Elect Mike Rush Blames New Software, Volunteers for Unaccounted Campaign Fund Jumps

State Senator-elect Mike Rush said that new computer software combined with volunteers tasked with entering data into the system explains  why there are two overnight jumps of more than $10,000 to his campaign funds in the last year without the required list of who donated the cash. State law mandates candidates report names and amounts of campaign contributions.

According to records filed by Rush's campaign with the Office of Campaign & Political Finance (OCPF), Rush's ending balance on Dec. 31, 2009 does not match the beginning balance of Jan. 1, 2010 - with the difference being an overnight increase of $12,657.76. On Dec. 31, 2009 the fund totaled $6,423.58 and on Jan. 1, 2010 the fund jumped to $19,081.34.

A similarly sized overnight jump in Rush's campaign funds happened from Aug. 27 to Aug. 28. The difference is an overnight increase of $14,083.28 – from $14,496.96 on Aug. 27 to $28,580.24 on Aug. 28.

State law allows candidates to submit a letter or amendment to initial filings to the OCPF within 30 days of a discrepancy, and Rush has not submitted one to OCPF for either occasion as of Dec. 15, said Jason Tait, director of communications & public education for OCPF.

Said Rush, "We identified it when the last report was in. It's all done by volunteers. A couple of them do entry into a database."

Rush said a new software system to enter the data might have caused the problem. "We switched software so we're not sure if it all got integrated. The state has an updated software program (for entering campaign funds) and some other folks have had glitches, too."

Rush said he would not list any fellow elected officials who had told him they've had glitches with their OCPF filings.

Filings by other local candidates including state Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), state Rep. John Rodgers (D-Norwood), state Representative-elect Ed Coppinger (D-West Roxbury) and Rep. Stephen Lynch (D) did not have similar discrepancies.

The State Senator-elect, who is the current 10th Suffolk District State Representative, recently  on Nov. 2.  in the Democratic Primary.

Williams' and Walsh's OCPF campaign filings also show no mismatches. 

Rush said he was unaware of the exact amount of the mismatching fund reports, "We're hoping to find out where the money is coming [from]. We're going back to every single check that every single person gave."

Rush's records filed with OCPF show that he spent the money that is not accounted for.

"Am I going to scream out at volunteers when their data entry is off?" said Rush. "We're trying to get this problem corrected."

He added that he hired a professional accountant, who is more familiar with the new software, and hopes to have the issue resolved by the end of the year.

"I've never had a professional accountant," added Rush. "I don't think most politicians do."

Rush said his campaign switched treasurers, but John DeNapoli is listed on Rush's OCPF filings as the treasurer from Oct. 28, 2008 through the most current filings dated Oct. 15, 2010.

Tait added that Rush's campaign fund mismatches are both in the last election cycle and the office started the initial process of auditing reports after the Nov. 2 election, and the process will take place during the next several months.

There is a letter (see attached PDF) in Rush's OCPF filings from Feb. 2010 in regards to smaller fund mismatches from 2008.

The OCPF asked DeNapoli for clarification for the following two errors: In September of that year Rush's fund increased by $1610.81 in one night; and in October of that year Rush's fund lost $87.74 over night.

According to Tait, OCPF has not received any other correspondence in regards to the 2008 mismatches.