A Connecticut utility's solicitation to employees for financial support for Gov. Dannel Malloy was, "offensive and disturbing," and, "violates the spirit and intent of the Connecticut state contractor ban," but was not illegal, Connecticut's State Elections Enforcement Commission ruled, according to CT News Junkie

Northeast Utilities CEO Thomas May sent an email (from a gmail account) to 50 company managers asking the managers to, "financially support[]" Gov. Dannel Malloy.

However, the email specifically suggested that donations be made to the Connecticut Democratic State Central’s federal account, and not a state account.

The Elections Enforcement Commission therefore concluded that the solicitation did not run afoul of state law, as federal accounts are generally outside the Commission's jurisdiction and not enumerated in the relevant statute.

"The Commission strongly condemns the use or attempted use of federal accounts to influence state elections," the Commission said in its findings

CT News Junkie quotes Michael Brandi, executive director of the Elections Enforcement Commission, as stating, "While we can not find a specific violation of the letter of the law in this case we certainly believe that the efforts through this solicitation were meant to circumvent the spirit, certainly meant to violate, the spirit and intent of the state contractor ban."

NU conceded that the email was, "an effort to further NU's business strategy."

See CT News Junkie for the full story

Tags:
Northeast Utilities   Connecticut   Connecticut Light & Power  

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