Milford Union's PAC To Pay $45K For Overspending On Candidates

MILFORD, MA — The political arm of a union based in Milford gave in-kind contributions in excess of state limits in 2018, and has agreed to pay $45,000 to settle the matter, according to state campaign finance regulators.

During the 2018 campaign cycle, the Milford-based Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union PAC gave $28,850 to five candidates, including committees supporting Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early, and state Rep. Brian Murray, D-Milford.

Under campaign regulations, PACs are only allowed to give a max in-kind donation of $500 per candidate, per year.

In-kind contributions are typically material goods and services. In this case, state regulators said the Milford PAC gave campaigns signs, banners, and bumper stickers to each candidate that were worth more than $500. Each campaign that received excess in-kind contributions will give the equivalent amount of money back, according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

The PAC will pay the $45,000 by giving $22,500 to the state general fund, and $22,500 to a charity of the PAC's choosing.

The PAC had about $129,000 on hand as of the latest campaign finance filing on Dec. 15, according to state records.