Sandy Hook Group Alleges NRA Illegally Transferred Campaign Funds To Oppose Malloy
NEWTOWN, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- The National Rifle Association illegally transferred money to oppose Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy's re-election bid last year, according to an election complaint filed by families affected by the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.
The complaint alleges improper funding of dozens of legislative campaigns dating back to 2003, WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron reported.
"After what happened here in Sandy Hook, we believe that we need to do more to curb gun violence, and Congress has not taken action," said Po Murray, a mother of four former Sandy Hook students who is among those who presented the complaint to the State Elections Enforcement Commission.
Murray said the group believes the NRA funneled about $11,000 in so-called independent expenditures to oppose Malloy while also sending $9,000 in federal PAC money to 33 state Senate and House candidates from both political parties more than a decade ago.
"The money was transferred, and it's illegal under the campaign finance laws in Connecticut," Murray said.
The complaint also alleges the itemized expenditures included $4,000 to pay for office staff at NRA national headquarters in Virginia.
"We need to make sure that the gun lobby is following the right procedures and following the laws," Murray said.