03/16/2011 - Indiana Democrats renew call for return of Tim Durham campaign cash

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2011

Indiana Democrats renew call for return of Tim Durham campaign cash
Republican financier indicted today on 12 felony charges

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker issued the following statement in response to the announcement that embattled Indianapolis businessman Tim Durham has been indicted on 12 felony counts.

Durham, accused of running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded hundreds of victims, has made hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions, largely to Republican candidates and campaigns, including Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Democrats originally called for the return of Durham’s money when an FBI investigation into his business dealings began in late 2009. Last year, the bankruptcy trustee in the case sent letters to recipients of Durham’s political largesse asking that they consider returning the ill-gotten cash.

“Republicans have resisted returning this money by making excuses that it already had been spent and that Durham hadn’t been charged with a crime,” Parker said. “Well now he has, and we’re renewing our call that any candidate or campaign that accepted money from Durham or his company should return that money to the bankruptcy trustee.”

Parker said the campaign finance records are easily tracked, and it’s imperative to send a strong message against the kinds of crimes Durham allegedly committed.

“No two ways about it: This is dirty money,” Parker said.