Obsitnik Supporters Agree to Pay $25K to Settle PAC Coordination Complaint.

Political committee FixCT officials Scott DePetris and Lawrence McGonegal will pay hefty fines to settle an ongoing State Election Enforcement Commission (SEEC) complaint that FixCT “made disallowed contributions to the Steve Obsitnik for Governor campaign committee.” Obsitnik sought the 2018 Republican nomination for governor.

DePetris served as chairman of FixCT, McGonegal as treasurer. DePetris, according to the October 7th consent agreement reached with the SEEC staff, served as a fundraiser for Obsitnik’s campaign committee and had critical contacts with Obsitnik. FixCT expended more than $88,000 in support of Obsitnik’s unsuccessful race for governor.

The SEEC found that McGonegal as treasurer was responsible for the illegal FixCT expenditures. The agreement notes that both DePetris and McGonegal were “responsive and cooperative with this investigation” and did not knowingly violate the law.

DePetris will pay a fine of $20,000, McGonegal $5,000. The agreement will be presented to the commission for approval.

A footnote warns, “Allegations concerning respondents to this matter not named herein shall be addressed in a separate document.” That may refer to Obsitnik. Evidence of his contacts with DePetris is mentioned in several critical paragraphs of the consent agreement.

Obsitnik’s bid for governor gained momentum at the Republican nomination but stalled when he had trouble qualifying for public financing. The Westport Republican finished fifth in the party’s primary.