Marketing campaign finance regulators dinged a high Beacon Hill finances author for taking in extra donations from lobbyists and submitting late expense reviews with the state, in keeping with a submitting from final week.
Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, a Gloucester Democrat who serves because the vice chair of the Home Methods and Means Committee, took in $1,025 in extra contribution from 5 lobbyists and didn’t instantly disclose the main points of $29,301 in bank card funds utilizing marketing campaign funds, the Workplace of Marketing campaign Finance stated in a Might 27 letter to the lawmaker.
“The delay in filing required reports frustrates the public’s interest in accurate and timely disclosure of campaign finance activity during the relevant periods. Because appropriate remedial actions have taken place as outlined above, OCPF has determined that no further action is warranted at this time,” OCPF Director William Campbell wrote within the letter.
Ferrante paid the state $1,025 from her marketing campaign account to resolve the surplus donations and filed the bank card reviews in April 2025 for funds made between July and November 2024, in keeping with state regulators.
Lobbyists can solely donate $200 to a candidate for elected workplace or elected official operating for reelection in a calendar 12 months, in keeping with state regulation.
The Democratic lawmaker additionally didn’t well timed file reviews for 2 reimbursements for numerous marketing campaign expenditures and didn’t file on-time reviews clarifying $22,000 value of expenditures, regulators stated. Each points had been ultimately resolved.
Ferrante stated she fell behind in some filings due to severe well being situations and the dying of her father.
“Although challenging issues may arise, I understand these responsibilities are mine and must be fulfilled. Therefore, I have put systems in place to better manage them. As such, OCPF has concluded, ‘that no further action is warranted at this time,’” Ferrante stated in an announcement to the Herald.
Ferrante was reelected to her seat in November after cruising via the Democratic main unopposed and incomes 66% of the greater than 29,000 votes forged in her normal election matchup towards unenrolled candidate Steven LeBlanc, Jr., in keeping with state information.
She had simply over $18,000 in marketing campaign money available as of the top of April, state information confirmed.
Ferrante is the second Home lawmaker this 12 months that the Workplace of Marketing campaign and Political Finance has stated violated state marketing campaign finance legal guidelines.
Rep. John Garden, a Watertown Democrat who co-chairs the Health Care Financing Committee, was penalized in February for “inadequate” report holding, submitting finance reviews late, and receiving extra contributions.
He purged $14,000 in donations, appointed a brand new marketing campaign treasurer, and personally paid the state $500 to resolve the problems.
