McKinney returns donations, promises change

HARTFORD, Conn. – Sen. John McKinney, who is running for governor, was recently forced to refund $500 in donations from five state contractors or prospective contractors who are banned from giving donations.

Since February, McKinney has returned $100 donations from Jonathan Gavin, president of United Concrete Products Inc. and his wife, Lorene Gavin, as well as William Valus, owner of Encon Inc. in Stratford, and Valus’ wife, Maureen. McKinney also returned a $100 donation from Anthony Scillia of Marcum LLP, an accounting company that is listed as state contractor. The companies show up on the list of state contractors banned from giving to statewide campaigns.

McKinney’s campaign also refunded donations based on the “perception of a potential conflict of interest.” The family of Michael Ajello, who McKinney appointed to the state Elections Enforcement Commission last November, received a refund on his $100 contribution. Three others with the same last name as Ajello also received refunds.

Connecticut Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo pounced on the mistake earlier this week and criticized McKinney, who is one of six candidates vying for the Republican nomination for governor.

“John McKinney looked straight into the camera at the GOP debate and lied to the citizens of Connecticut about not taking state contractor money into his campaign — a practice that is already banned,” DiNardo said. “Not only was John McKinney busted for accepting state contractor money back in February, but the finance report he filed just days before the GOP debate shows he continued to take banned contributions.”

See the complete story at CT News Junkie.