Complaint Filed Against Democrat Jacksonville Sheriff Candidate Lakesha Burton for Alleged Campaign Finance Violations
August 18, 2022 Updated 1:55 P.M. ET
JACKSONVILLE (FLV) – A complaint was filed against Democrat Jacksonville Sheriff Candidate Lakesha Burton for allegedly violating campaign laws.
Jerilynn O’Hara at O’Hara Law Firm brought forth the complaint with the Florida Elections Commission. She is a former Assistant State Attorney and Duval County Judge.
“In my career, I have never seen such a flagrant disregard for the law by a political candidate. Lakesha Burton has now, on several occasions, broken multiple election laws in an effort to boost her campaign for Sheriff,” O’Hara said. “I call for an immediate investigation into the Burton Campaign and will forward these serious complaints to the Florida Elections Commission and the State Attorney’s Office.”
Lakesha Burton allegedly accepted duplicate contributions to her campaign and violated Chapter 106.08(3) for Florida Statute defining the contribution limits for countywide office as $1,000. Florida’s Voice reached out to Lakesha Burton’s campaign for a response but has not received one.
Burton accepted donations from people when the election for Sheriff in Jacksonville was originally set for the regular unitary cycle for the spring of 2023.
However, that date was changed to being a special election to coincide with the primary general elections of 2022. The complaint said at that time Burton emailed donors to make them believe that the contribution limits were reset and that she could accept doubled up contributions from donors that had already maxed out their contributions.
“If you’ve already donated the maximum allowed $1,000 per adult person, you can now donate again for the upcoming special election, and we need you to do so,” Burton’s email said.
The complaint alleges Burton’s campaign received duplicated $1,000 donations from several people.
Chapter 106.08(3) for Florida Statute says the contribution limits apply to each election.
“For purposes of this subsection, the primary election and general election are separate elections so long as the candidate is not an unopposed candidate as defined in s. 106.011,” the statute said.
The second allegation claims the campaign violated campaign laws and willfully accepted overlimit, in-kind contributions by means of express advocacy in an advertisement from a political committee that she is known to be affiliated with.
Burton’s commercials and mailers have been associated with the political committee “Make Every Voice Count” with approval from Lakesha Burton.
The complaint alleges that Burton’s campaign used her affiliated political committee to expressly advocate for the election of Lakesha Burton in a publicly disseminated video in a manner that created an over-limit, in-kind contribution to her campaign. It alleges she violated Florida Statutes 106.011(12)(a), 106.011(8)(a) and 106.08(3).
The advertisement, sponsored by Make Every Voice Count and approved by Lakesha Burton, said “vote Lakesha Burton,” which the complaint considered expressly advocating.
The advertisement cost more than $9,000 according to the public file for advertising.
