Cape state Rep. Chris Flanagan owes $5K on campaign mailer that drew investigation, fines

An invoice for the 2022 campaign mailer sent by state Rep. Christopher Flanagan, D-Dennis, that prompted a campaign finance investigation, remains unpaid, according to the company owed the money.

Achim Bergmann, partner in Bergmann Zwerdling Direct, a Democratic direct mail firm, said on Monday that the $5,139 bill has not been paid. Bergmann said he was told by the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance that the bill was supposed to be paid and he sent an updated invoice two weeks ago to Flanagan’s campaign.

The mailer was sent to Dennis voters before the Nov. 8, 2022, election claiming to be from a group called Conservatives for Dennis, endorsing Flanagan. After the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance received a complaint, an investigation began but Flanagan did not respond until the state office threatened to send the issue to the Attorney General. Initially he told the state office that Conservatives for Dennis was a legitimate, separate organization run by a woman named Jeanne Louise. He described her physical characteristics, but the next day through an attorney told the state office he had made up the woman.

Ultimately, the state office determined the mailer was a Flanagan campaign committee expense, not a third-party expense, according to an April 19 letter from Office of Campaign and Political Finance Director William Campbell. After the investigation into the mailer, the state office turned to Flanagan's campaign finances. Errors were found there including a $10,000 deposit as a cashier's check when $100 is the limit.

In total, the fines and penalties for Flanagan and his campaign committee totaled $39,572.

“It’s a pretty fantastical story,” Bergmann said, referring to the mailer. “It’s not something I’ve ever seen in 30 years of doing this.”

The campaign currently has $1,104.97 in cash, as of Thursday, according to state campaign records.

Campaign finance specialist Gemma Martin, the principal of the Chick Montana Group, was made treasurer of Flanagan’s campaign on April 19. Martin declined to comment on the BZD invoice, saying, “I don’t speak to the press.”

Who is the state rep for Dennis MA?

Flanagan's district, First Barnstable, includes the town of Brewster, the town of Dennis and Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8, of the town of Yarmouth, all in Barnstable County.

Currently Flanagan is running unopposed for a second term. The primary election is Sept. 3.

"Oversight of the campaign is my responsibility," Flanagan said in an email to the Times in early May. "It is important for me to share with you how truly sorry I am that this occurred and have taken steps to ensure that it never happens again."

Jason Tait, education director for the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, said it was possible that a campaign’s payment wouldn’t show up on campaign finance reports for a month.

Flanagan has not returned several calls and emails regarding the invoice, and whether he resigned from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod. The Times reviewed an announcement that Flanagan was no longer employed at the association as the executive officer.

The association and two of its board members have not returned several calls or emails for confirmation. Flanagan’s photo has been removed from the association's staff web page.

Denise Coffey writes about business, tourism and issues impacting the Cape’s residents and visitors. Contact her at dcoffey@capecodonline.com .

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape state Rep. Flanagan owes $5K for penalized campaign mailer