Florida Elections Commission rules Dania's Evan Jenne violated donation limits

Each gave $500 more than is allowed by law

By Josh Hafenbrack | Tallahassee Bureau

December 5, 2008

Tallahassee - The Florida Elections Commission has found probable cause that state Rep. Evan Jenne, D- Dania Beach, violated state elections laws by accepting donations from five groups and individuals that exceeded the $500 limit.

In 2007, three groups and two individuals each gave Jenne two $500 checks for a total of $1,000 each — even though Florida law caps donations at $500 per contributor per election. Jenne returned the duplicate donations, but the elections commission noted that Jenne — who served as treasurer for his own campaign — had a duty to keep track of donations and weed out any discrepancies.

"Failure to review these records before accepting five excessive contributions shows that Respondent recklessly disregarded the requirements of [Florida law] or was plainly indifferent to its requirements," the report said.

The complaint was filed by Democrat Robert Kellner, one of Jenne's two opponents in the Aug. 26 primary for state House District 100. Jenne will receive a fine for the violations, although the amount is under negotiation.

Jenne said Thursday it was a "paperwork issue."

"This wasn't an issue of lurking in the shadows and getting into trouble," he said.

"This was a paperwork, clerical issue. The thing that I learned from it is, from here on out, I'm my own accountant."

The case

In 2007, three groups and two individuals each gave Jenne two $500 checks for a total of $1,000 each — even though Florida law caps donations at $500 per contributor per election.