Bartlett Representative Gene Chandler held a fundraiser in the North Country on Sunday.
The event comes one year after his Corn Roast that led to a fundraising scandal that ultimately led to the former Speaker's downfall.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein reports.
It was a beautiful day in the North Country, with blue sky framing green mountains in late summer, just like last year.
And Representative Chandler was again hosting some kind of fundraising event.
This year, though, Chandler is one of 400 state representatives, not the Speaker of the House.
And that change in title probably explained why there were fewer cars.
And why there were far fewer state representatives, congressional delegation members, and lobbyists.
But when approached to discuss the event Chandler was hardly the gracious host he had been last year.
T.4
:20 Rep. Chandler? I have nothing to say, I don't want you interviewing people here, ok? If you want to pay $10 and eat that's fine but this is a place for people to eat and have a good time, so that's it. Can I ask you any questions. No. No.
Between 1998-2004 Gene Chandler held annual corn roasts.
Over that time he brought in more than 64 thousand dollars.
When he was Speaker groups like the New Hampshire Banker's Association, the New Hampshire Medical Society and Philip Morris as well as prominent lobbyists wrote him checks.
He deposited the money in bank accounts for his own personal use: car payments, dry cleaning, even a mortgage payment.
At the time, that was all legal.
Chandler, however, failed to report any of those contributions, and that was illegal.
He had also violated the Legislature's Ethical guidelines that in part prohibit receiving gifts over $250.
As a result, the former Speaker pled guilty to a misdemeanor, and agreed to a pay a $2000 fine.
The Legislative Ethics Committee recommended he be expelled, but that was narrowly voted down by the House earlier this year.
Now, Chandler is holding yet another fundraiser.
But this year the Bartlett Representative has filed a Political Action Committee form with the Secretary of State.
That allows Chandler to collect up to $5000 from any group or individual until December this year.
10:50 the memory of it. it's too soon. And it's too in your face.
That's state Representative Shawn Jasper.
7:22 from a purely right and wrong standpoint, he had every right to do it. from the point of what's the right thing for the institution and the reputation of politicians in general, I think it was a poor decision.
Jasper, a Republican, was an outspoken critic of Chandler's actions last year.
He says he believes this latest fundraiser sends a message that Chandler is indifferent to the events of the past year.
Even worse, says Jasper, the act tells the public that Chandler faced no serious consequences for his actions.
But that sentiment isn't shared by Dan McLeod who heads up the New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association Political Action Committee.
The Auto Dealers have contributed to Chandler's Corn Roasts in the past, including a $1000 check last year.
2:18 he's having his people attend the event and to me that's wonderful. I wouldn't throw any stones at GC for having an event in his town with his towns folks and his supporters in that region.
Because he refused to answer questions, it's not clear how Chandler will use the contributions from this event.
Contributions to Political Action Committee can be spent on anything that can influence a candidate's nomination or election.
That means one could pay their phone bills, car payments, or even themselves as a campaign manager.
House Speaker Doug Scamman says he believes money in politics have changed since news first broke of Chandler's activities.
8:00 I think the lobbyists are going to be a little more careful about donating money and a lot of legislators are not going to go out looking to raise money. I just think there would be less money floating around. And I think that's probably a good thing.
It's certainly less money for Representative Chandler.
A few lobbyists said unlike in years past, they hadn't even received invitations to Chandler's event.
But even if Chandler is trying to be low-key in his fundraising, Speaker Scamman doesn't consider it wise.
10:44 I would like to see the thing go away and be behind us. that's why I myself wouldn't have done it. wouldn't have had another one.
If Sunday's fundraising is for Chandler's re-election committee, that report is due May.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.
