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‘Motivations are apparent’

On Thursday, Fildebrandt released a receipt for an ad in the Strathmore Times costing $183.75, and an email exchange with the UCP campaign team confirming he would cover the ad with a donation. He also released an email about a second payment for online advertising costing $100.

But Fildebrandt said the in-kind donations weren’t properly reported to Elections Alberta. During leadership contests, money, goods and services costing more than $50 must be reported as contributions, according to the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.

The UCP said it was “simply an honest oversight.

“There was no deliberate effort to conceal this small amount,” said a statement from UCP communications director Matt Solberg.

“It is strange that Mr. Fildebrandt apparently waited over a year to bring this to our attention. Of course, Mr. Fildebrandt’s motivations are apparent.”

Fildebrandt left the UCP caucus last year after a slew of controversies including renting out his taxpayer-funded apartment on Airbnb and double-dipping on meal expenses.

In an interview Thursday, Fildebrandt said the fact that his in-kind donations weren’t reported raises concerns about other possible discrepancies.

“These are not back-breaking costs,” he said. “Was this a regular practice?”

He said he has reported the issue to the election commissioner.

Mill Woods controversy

Fildebrandt said he was spurred to report the problem after another former UCP member criticized Kenney and his leadership campaign last week.

Tariq Chaudhry claimed that he was left in the lurch after paying $6,000 for other peoples’ memberships and throwing community events costing upwards of $20,000 in Mill Woods.

The UCP denies the allegations.

cclancy@postmedia.com

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