Ohio Elections Commission complaint accuses Tamaya Dennard of paying herself from campaign fund

COLUMBUS – A Republican lawyer filed an Ohio Elections Commission complaint against Democratic City Councilwoman Tamaya Dennard on Tuesday, saying she violated state law by paying herself $2,700 from her campaign fund.

The complaint, filed with the Ohio Elections Commission, accuses Dennard of violating state election law that prohibits candidates from spending campaign money for "personal use." Acceptable uses include campaign expenses or activities related to the duties of public office.

Dennard's campaign paid Dennard $2,700 for "consulting," according to recently released campaign finance reports. When asked about the checks, Dennard's campaign treasurer Kevin Tighe initially told The Enquirer that Dennard was "kind of drawing a salary."

Tighe later told The Enquirer that he had misspoke and would file an amended report to list the payments as reimbursement for campaign expenses.

The Enquirer reached out to Dennard and Tighe for comment Tuesday afternoon. Neither responded.

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Republican attorney Curt Hartman filed the Ohio Elections Commission complaint Tuesday on behalf of Mark Miller – the same resident named in an Ohio Elections Commission case against Democrat Aftab Pureval.

"Seeking election to public office is not supposed to be used as a means to personally enrich oneself or one’s family," Hartman told The Enquirer. "It is supposed to be about sacrificing for the public good.”

The complaint alleges Dennard, her treasurer Tighe and her campaign committee violated state law that bans candidates from spending money for "personal use." The complaint also alleges Dennard did not file appropriate receipts for four payments totaling $398.68 on Nov. 12. The listed expense for those payments was "rental car."

If the Ohio Elections Commission determines Dennard violated state election law, she could face a fine or another penalty.