The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance on Wednesday fined State Sen. Jerry Cooper (D–Morrison) $120,000 in the wake of a complaint brought by the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.
The complaint, based on documents uncovered in an unrelated bank fraud trial held in Chattanooga, alleged that Cooper funneled $95,004 from his campaign account into his personal account using 24 checks written from December 1999 to November 2001.
The Registry unanimously agreed with the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, finding Cooper in violation of state campaign finance laws. As a penalty, the Registry voted 5-1 to fine Cooper $120,000 for his actions.
“Tennessee Center for Policy Research applauds the Registry of Election Finance for taking a hard stance against public officials who breach the trust of their contributors,” said Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson. “I hope this puts other elected officials on notice that the theft of campaign contributions will not be tolerated.”
Sen. Cooper, who has represented the 14th Senate District since 1985, was not present at the hearing and failed to defend his actions.
“It surprised many that Cooper did not show up to defend himself, but even Cooper must have realized that there’s no defense for violating the public’s trust,” Mr. Johnson said.
In total, the Registry determined that 23 of Cooper’s 24 checks included in the Tennessee Center for Policy Research’s complaint violated state campaign finance laws.
He faced a maximum fine of $10,000 for each violation, for a total of $230,000.