Did the Caldwell Police Chief Dispurse City Funds to a Political Candidate?

By Greg Pruett • November 21, 2024

Some citizens are criticizing Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram for what appears to be a political donation from city funds to Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford’s campaign.

Idaho Dispatch received a receipt/requisition form from the city of Caldwell for $600 for Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford. Clifford holds an annual golf tournament called the “Sheriff’s Cup.” This year, the event had its fourth iteration.

You can see a screenshot from Google of the event below:

The Facebook link on the Sheriff’s Cup site goes directly to Clifford’s campaign page. Event tickets are purchased through the Sheriff’s campaign website.

The Idaho Sunshine Report logs a $600 donation from Ingram to Clifford on September 7, 2023. You can see a screenshot of the report below:

While two lines show the same amount and date, one line is an amended report changing the address from a P.O. Box to a physical address. There are not two separate donations of $600.

The receipt from the city also has the date of September 7.

Additionally, the bottom of the receipt says,

“Thank you for supporting my re-election campaign. I am excited to get a chance to see you at our third annual golf event.”

The receipt also says the money was for sponsorship of the “3rd Annual Sheriff’s Cup.”

You might wonder, “Is using public funds for campaign donations illegal?”

The section of code that seems most applicable to this situation is Idaho Code 74-604, which says, in part,

“74-604. PUBLIC FUNDS PROHIBITED. Unless specifically required by law, and except as provided in this chapter:
(1) Neither a public entity nor its employees shall make, nor shall a public official make or authorize, an expenditure from public funds to advocate for or against a candidate or a ballot measure.”

According to this code section, public funds cannot be used to advocate for a candidate or ballot measure. Money going from the city of Caldwell, signed off on by Ingram, to the Clifford campaign would appear to violate the law.

What are the penalties for violation?

According to Idaho Code 74-606, an individual can be fined up to $250 for violating the statute, and if they knowingly violate the statute, they can be penalized up to $1,500.

Idaho Dispatch contacted Char Jackson, the city of Caldwell’s public information officer, and asked if the funds had been returned to the city. Jackson told Idaho Dispatch that the funds had been reimbursed. In a follow-up email, we asked what date the funds were reimbursed. We have not received a reply to that question yet.

It would be interesting to hear Ingram explain why city money was used to purchase the tickets in the first place. Additionally, would he be able to explain whether they knew the law at the time that prohibited city funds from being used or if they found out later on that the purchase was prohibited?