A complaint was filed today against the organizers of a campaign to recall Elmwood supervisor Deri Smith. Nancy Doughty, co-chair of the Committee to Support Derith Smith, filed papers with the Secretary of State alleging that recall supporters organized multiple committees in order to circumvent financial reporting requirements of the elections law.

As the Post reported yesterday, the organizers of the campaign against Smith have registered at least three committees with County Clerk Michelle Crocker, each claiming an exemption from campaign finance reporting requirements because less than $1000 was expected to be collected in donations. State officials contacted by the Post agreed that this seems like a transparent attempt to evade the requirement that those who collect more than $1000 must reveal the names of all donors, as well as other information. All three of the anti-Smith committees are listed as having the same street address in Elmwood Township, as well as the same organizer.

The anti-Smith mailings have been sent out under a number of names. The first mailing was from the Elmwood Citizens for Honest Government. Another mailing changed the name to the Elmwood Citizens for Honest Officials. Most recently, a mailing went out under the name of the Elmwood Township Alliance.