In November 2014, after being convinced that there was a desperate need for a new animal shelter, Pima County voters elected to support a bond measure; Prop 415. Over $150,000 was raised by the Pima County pro-Prop 415 PAWS committee to sell that bond measure to the voters.
A full 6 months later, the PAWS committee was still up and running. It was also still collecting contributions. One contribution from the Pasqua Yaqui Tribe has raised questions and eyebrows. According to the January 31, 2015 Pima County Political Committee Campaign Finance Report filed by Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS), the Tribe contributed $20,000 on April 10, 2015.
Soon thereafter, the Committee paid monies out to DWE Management Consultants Inc., operated by Dan Eckstrom and the “strategists” from Strategic Issues Management Group:
The Committee has already paid out over $75,000 DWE Management Consultants Inc., and Strategic Issues Management Group among others in 2014 during the normal course of the campaign cycle.
Attorney General Alfred L. Urbina, of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe responded promptly to ADI’s request for information. In an email, Attorney General Urbina wrote: “We will have to research that issue and will respond when we gather more information.”
The ADI made several unsuccessful attempts to reach Committee Treasurer Rhonda Pina for a comment. Pina is currently vying for a spot on the notorious Oro Valley Town Council.
| 04/15/2015 | DWE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS INC | $7,500.00 | Campaign consultant/coordination services |
| 04/17/2015 | DWE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS INC | $4,800.00 | Campaign consultant/coordination services |
| 04/17/2015 | STRATEGIC ISSUES MANAGEMENT GROUP | $7,305.00 | Campaign consulting services |
| 07/20/2015 | DWE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS INC | $1,893.58 | Campaign consultant and office expenses |
| Total | $21,498.58 |
| November 25,2014 – December 31,2015 SUMMARY | ||
| Surplus from previous Campaign | This Period | To Date |
| Equity at Beginning of this Reporting Period | $589.12 | – |
| Total Receipts | $21,125.00 | $21,714.12 |
| Subtotal | $21,714.12 | $21,714.12 |
| Total Debts and Obligations from Previous Committee | – | $0.00 |
| Total Disbursements | $21,714.12 | $21,714.12 |
| Equity at Close of Report Period | $0.00 | $0.00 |