The Associated Press | Posted: Monday, April 24, 2006 7:00 pm
ALLIANCE — An Alliance police officer whose campaign fundraising raffle ran afoul of state law apparently won’t be prosecuted.
Officer Rob Kufalk says he didn’t know he was doing anything wrong when, at the Alliance Home Show April 18-19, he was raffling off a $100 bill and a hunting rifle to raise campaign money.
He’s one of two Democrats in the May 9 primary election for Box Butte County sheriff.
“When running for an office like (sheriff), I’m not going to intentionally do anything wrong,” he said.
According to a provision of the Nebraska Small Lottery and Raffle Act: “(C)haritable or community betterment purposes shall not include any activity consisting of an attempt to influence legislation or participate in any political campaign on behalf of any elected official or person who is or has been a candidate for public office.”
Tom Norris, director of legislative policy for the Department of Revenue, which includes the Division of Charitable Gaming, said Tuesday that the department told Kufalk he was violating the law.
Norris said it was unlikely the department would seek prosecution of Kufalk.
“Basically, this is just a misunderstanding of the law,” Norris said.
After being told about the illegality, Kufalk said, he offered refunds to people who had bought tickets.
“Over 95 percent of the people I contacted told me to keep the money,” Kufalk said. “They said they knew it was basically a campaign contribution.”
He and Box Butte County Deputy Sheriff George Bremer are vying for the Democratic nomination. The winner will meet Republican Tammy Mowry or Mark Lindburg in the November general election.
“I’ve lived my life to learn from lessons taught,” he said. “In this instance, I certainly didn’t check far enough ahead to make sure what I was doing was appropriate.”