The State Ethics Commission wrapped up an investigation into Citizens for Growth in Cave Springs on Friday with a determination that the campaign group did not violate any laws.
Alderman Randy Noblett filed a complaint with the commission in January alleging that the group was a political action committee that failed to register as such and file financial disclosure reports. The Ethics Commission on Friday concluded with a 5-0 vote that the group did not constitute a political action committee and dismissed the complaint.
Named in the complaint were Cave Springs City Council candidates Mary Ann Winters, Joan White, Melvin Yount, Brett Hash and Marc Williams and spokesman Jay Finch.
“Evidence gathered during the course of the investigation reflected that there was a group known as ‘Citizens for Growth in Cave Springs,’ but that the group never received any contributions or made any expenditures,” read a letter sent from the commission to Finch on Friday.
Winters said the candidates pooled their individual contributions to purchase group signs and print campaign materials.
While the allegations against the group were dismissed, individual candidates may still face repercussions stemming from campaign contribution and expense reports that were filed incorrectly or late.