Buono accused of misusing campaign funds

The New Jersey agency that enforces election law has filed a complaint against Barbara Buono, alleging that the 2013 Democratic gubernatorial candidate illegally used her Senate campaign account to help finance her unsuccessful run against Gov. Christie.

The complaint, disclosed Wednesday by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Committee (ELEC), says Buono could face up to $13,600 in fines. She can seek a hearing to argue her case.

ELEC filed the complaint May 27.

Buono, a former state senator, established a reelection fund in March 2012 and disclosed she used the account to pay $37,250 to Myers Research & Strategies, a public-opinion research firm, according to the complaint.

Her campaign filing showed that in January 2012, Myers conducted a survey that asked respondents, among other questions, "If the election for governor was held today and the candidates were Barbara Buono and Chris Christie, for whom would you vote?"

Buono was required by law to file paperwork establishing her gubernatorial campaign account 10 days after that first January expenditure, the complaint says.

But she did not form that account until December 2012, 312 days after the due date, the complaint says.

Using her Senate account to pay for a poll on behalf of her gubernatorial run also violated the law, the complaint alleges.

In December 2014, Buono disclosed that her gubernatorial account had reimbursed the Senate account $37,250 for "polling and research expenses," according to the complaint.

It alleges that Buono failed to establish separate committees for her Senate and gubernatorial races during the 2013 primary campaign.

Christie, a Republican, won the November 2013 general election by 22 percentage points.

The New Jersey GOP in January 2013 asked the agency to investigate Buono's fund-raising activities. At the time, the Buono campaign said she had complied with the law, and dismissed the matter as a "blatant attempt by New Jersey Republicans to distract from Chris Christie's failed record."

Buono could not be reached Wednesday for comment.