Website investigation starts

LAKE COUNTY — A complaint has been filed and “questions are being asked” of a group allegedly acting as an illegal Political Action Committee (PAC), Commission of Political Practices commissioner Dennis Unsworth said.

“Typically when a complaint comes in, we know who it is, but in this instance, it’s a group so it’s unusual,” he said. “We’ve got a formal complaint so it’s a formal legal process. We’re in the early stages.”

The allegations, made originally by Jay Doyle for Sheriff treasurer Lanny VanMeter on April 13, claim that a group called Concerned Citizens of Lake County is actively campaigning against Republican candidate Jay Doyle in conjunction with Steve Kendley, an Independent candidate for the sheriff’s position. The issue, VanMeter said, is that the group claims they are not involved in the sheriff’s race. Rather, he said, the group, headed by Terry Leonard, who runs the website www.asksheriffluckylarson.com, is working with Kendley but not disclosing campaign finance or following other rules of disclosure required by state law. The allegations, VanMeter believes, are verified by documents he sent to Commissioner Unsworth on Aug. 30.

“They are perpetrating a scam on the voters of Lake County,” he said. “Jay Doyle has more honor and integrity in his little finger than this group does in their whole bodies.”

Unsworth said the issue is “anonymous campaigning,” something VanMeter believes Leonard committed by not declaring who paid for either the website or a series of advertisements that ran in this newspaper.

“Steve Kendley and Concerned Citizens of Lake County are one and the same,” VanMeter said. “[Doyle] isn’t going to respond to this garbage, which is what it is.”

The “ask your sheriff” website claims to want to “restore integrity to the Office of Lake County Sheriff,” and encourages citizens to ask Sheriff Lucky Larson and Undersheriff Jay Doyle about “misappropriated mil-levy money,” “SRT T-shirts condoning violence/death/gore,” and “missing/stolen ammunition,” among other things.

“The website and ads were run for the sole intent of educating the public on a lot of corruption going on in the sheriff’s office of Lake County,” Leonard said.

Leonard, who served as a reserve deputy for six years before becoming a full-time deputy in Oct. 2009, was fired from the department “without a reason” in Feb. 2010, he said. Leonard claims that corruption is rampant in the office, yet law enforcement officers are scared to speak out due to fears of repercussions.

“Nobody could say anything because they are afraid of losing their jobs,” he said. “I’m going to come under fire no matter what because I’m a whistleblower, but I’ve said from the beginning, I’ll take the heat.”

Kendley, a detective in the sheriff’s office, said he has no connection to the group and that VanMeter is participating in political mudslinging.

“I’m the target of slander and accused of slander at the same time,” Kendley said. “Anyone that says I am affiliated with [Concerned Citizens of Lake County] is a liar, that’s the frustrating thing.”

Unsworth reiterated that his office takes all complaints seriously but that any judgment has yet to pass.

“There are certain legal tests that come into play and that’s part of the work we’re required to do before we make a decision,” he said. “We need to determine if activity is indeed campaign activity. Any instance when someone is paying for a message advocating for or against a candidate is covered by campaign finance law.”

Unsworth said it “could take months, even years” to complete an investigation, but his office hopes to come to a conclusion as soon as possible. With an election upcoming, Unsworth said his office is flooded with calls and complaints.

“We can’t do anything until an investigation is complete, but if wrongdoing is found, we have the authority to file a complaint in district court,” Unsworth said.

Leonard continues to vehemently deny any political affiliation, and said the upcoming Nov. 2 election has nothing to do with his cause.

“I don’t care who becomes sheriff, as long as they are honorable,” he said. “This isn’t going to stop after the election. It’s going to be a watchdog for this county to maintain accountability in the sheriff’s office.”