At least three Arizona lawmakers are refusing to pay back donations made to them by Fiesta Bowl employees, claiming they didn’t know the donations were reimbursed by the bowl, the Associated Press is reporting today.
Senators Jon Kyl, John McCain and governor Jan Brewer have all denied any wrongdoing (go figure) and insist they should not repay a bowl organization who has admitted to breaking state and federal laws. The Fiesta Bowl has been involved in a months-long investigation that ended in the firing of CEO John Junker and a $1 million fine slap on the wrist from the BCS.
The investigation found that the bowl had improperly donated and reimbursed over $45,000 in campaign funds. The AP story reports that McCain got $19,500 over several elections and Kyl received roughly $3,000 in campaign funds. Instead of paying back the money, both lawmakers will donate the money to a charity.
“I do not believe it would be appropriate to give money to the Fiesta Bowl, given its admission of improper conduct,’’ Kyl wrote in a letter to Capitol Media Services. “In the past when I have learned that funds have been improperly contributed to my campaign, I have donated them to charity, and since the Fiesta Bowl now acknowledges impropriety, that’s what I will do.’’
Meanwhile, Governor Brewer is content on doing just the opposite.
“I did nothing wrong,’’ said Brewer. “I accepted donations.’’
The Fiesta Bowl was able to maintain its BCS status even after the results of an internal and BCS investigation were made public (???????????) but received one year’s probation (?????????????????????).
