hunterbishop.com

Charges are still flying around the Fifth District Council office. 

Barbara Hale, whose allegations against her former boss didn't stick with County Board of Ethics last week, filed a complaint with the state Campaign Spending Commission on July 12, one day after the Ethics Board hearing ended. Councilwoman Emily Naeole fired Hale, her legislative aide and former campaign co-chairwoman, after the Ethics Board found no evidence to substantiate Hale's charges of ethics violations against Naeole.

But today, Barbara U. Wong, executive of the Campaign Spending Commission, confirmed that an investigation into a "series of allegations with regards to the disposition of funds" in Councilwoman Naeole's election campaign is being conducted. Wong declined to discuss specifics of the probe while the investigation is ongoing and said there is no time set for its completion. Wong said Hale filed the complaint.

At the Ethics Board hearing July 11, Hale reiterated numerous allegations against Naeole related to doing personal and campaign work on county time but failed to provide any corroborating witnesses. The Board voted 4-0 to dismiss the charges.

Wong said the state Campaign Spending Commission has four options when presented with a complaint. It can dismiss it, find probable cause for it, refer it to the state Attorney General, or request additional information. A finding of probable cause could result in fines and/or reimbursement of contributions, Wong said.

Wong also said Naeole has been fined six times by the commission for late campaign spending reports. Naeole has paid two of the fines, which are $50 each by statute. The Commission is still awaiting payment on the other four, she said.