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Washington • Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Mike Lee is amending a federal campaign report to show a donation in the form of a flight and hotel room paid for by coal-mine magnate Bob Murray.
Lee's campaign filed a new campaign finance report with the Federal Election Commission to note an in-kind contribution from Murray for a $100 hotel stay and $1,500 in travel costs after The Tribune questioned why Lee hadn't paid for or disclosed an in-kind contribution for his share of a private flight from Salt Lake City to Emery County and back.
In an early September release, Lee had touted that he spoke with three shifts of miners at the Lila Canyon Mine in Emery County, and his website shows a picture of him talking to a large crowd of workers. But Lee hadn't noted in his federal filing that he hitched a ride to the mine and back on Murray's private jet.
Murray is a well-known figure in Utah after a 2007 collapse at his now-sealed Crandall Canyon Mine claimed the lives of six miners and three would-be rescuers.
Deputy campaign manager Ryan McCoy said the team has been diligent about reporting in-kind donations, including previous flights, and this one was simply missed.
"This was clearly an oversight on the part of the campaign during a fast-moving portion of the campaign cycle," McCoy said.
Lee's third-quarter filing notes a $2,400 in-kind contribution from Bryan Burr, Lee's brother-in-law, for flights, and a total of $7,200 in such donations this cycle.
Marla Kennedy, campaign manager for Lee's Democratic opponent, Sam Granato, said the private flight is shocking.
"I have to say, $1,600 for a private flight and hotel to Emery County doesn't seem very fiscally responsible," Kennedy said. "Mike Lee's basic campaign promise is to make government fiscally responsible. Maybe he should start with his own campaign. After all, Emery County is just an hour-and-45-minute drive from Alpine where he lives. That couldn't be more than 30 bucks in gas."
Since the campaign is filing an updated report only days after it submitted its initial report to the Federal Election Commission, it's unlikely to face any penalties.
In the wake of the Crandall Canyon disaster, the Mine Safety and Health Administration levied a fine of more than $1.3 million for violations by the mine operator.
The fine has been placed on hold pending the outcome of a criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office. A wrongful-death and injury suit filed by survivors and family members was settled for an undisclosed amount.
Campaign disclosure amendment
The Mike Lee for U.S. Senate campaign has corrected its disclosure to show an in-kind donation worth $1,600 from mine magnate Bob Murray for lodging and a private jet flight. Campaign officials say the omission was a simple oversight.