Campaign treasurer could lose control of political fund

Victor Gunn, Nathan Cooper's campaign treasurer, could be forced to give up control of a $66,000 political fund he helped Cooper create.

Last Monday, Gunn worked for several hours closing the books on Cooper's campaign account without knowing why, according to statements he made to the Southeast Missourian Thursday after Cooper pleaded guilty to two federal felonies. His last act as treasurer before terminating the committee was to move almost $66,000 to a political committee created in January, with Gunn as treasurer, called "Friends of the 158th."

In an interview last week, Gunn said he made the transfer under direction from Cooper and asked no questions. "It is a candidate committee and he can do what he wants," Gunn said at the time.

Gunn also said he did not learn Cooper was preparing to enter a guilty plea to the federal crimes until Wednesday evening, just hours before Cooper appeared in court.

But in an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Monday, Gunn said the money should be returned to donors, which is not allowed under Missouri law.

The money in the new committee's account is recorded as a donation from Cooper, the campaign committee doesn't exist anymore and, under a ruling from the Missouri Supreme Court, the continuing committee can only donate $325 to a House campaign.

When he becomes a candidate for the post, Gunn must give up his role with the Friends of the 158th, said Joe Carroll, director of compliance with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Under state law, continuing committees may not be under the direction of political candidates or elected officials, Carroll said, and a public announcement of intention to seek the job is sufficient to make someone a candidate. Gunn may already be a candidate on the basis of his public statements, Carroll said.

"He may want to resign from the continuing committee as treasurer," Carroll said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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