GOP activist denies wrongdoing to Nevada secretary of state

GOP activist Tony Dane and his political action committee deny breaking any laws in a response his attorney sent Friday to the Nevada secretary of state.

Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske on Feb. 5 sent Dane a letter seeking an explanation of why he didn’t disclose the identities of individuals who contributed to his Nevada political action committee, called CRC PAC.

The secretary of state’s letter was based on a complaint from the Clark County Republican Party asking the state to investigate whether Dane has illegally funneled “conduit contributions” to the committee for recall efforts against Republican legislators. Dane’s committee reported raising $245,000 in a Jan. 14 disclosure, with all contributions coming from Dane or his company, Dane & Associates.

Dane’s attorney, David Otto, wrote that CRC PAC hasn’t broken any disclosure requirements. Otto wrote that a mailer it sent about two legislators, Assembly Speaker John Hambrick, R-Las Vegas, and Assemblyman Chris Edwards, R-Las Vegas, didn’t ask for votes.

“PAC’s do not have to disclose their donors as long as they do not seek votes for or against a person or issue,” Otto wrote. “The CRC PAC mailer simply stated that both John Hambrick and Chris Edwards had gone to the ‘Dark Side’ and need to be brought back into the Light. … campaign filings of CRC PAC showed … Dane & Associates and Tony Dane as donors.”

A recall effort was launched Friday against Hambrick by a different organization, with involvement from conservative blogger Chuck Muth.

The state also asked why Dane & Associates is doing business in Nevada despite being “permanently revoked” as a business entity. The company is set up outside Nevada, and its clients have contacted it in Virginia, Otto wrote.

Catherine Lu, a spokeswoman for the state agency, said the secretary of state will respond to Dane’s letter. It’s unclear what the response will be.

Contact Ben Botkin atbbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1.