DENVER (KDVR) — Democrats at the state capitol are getting audited by their own party over concerns about caucus dollars.
Democratic State Representatives are demanding answers about an investigation into where some money designated for their caucus went.
FOX31 obtained a copy of an original email from House Speaker Julie McCluskie to members of the House Democratic Caucus on June 18.
In the email, McCluskie said to members she wanted to go over the next steps on their petty cash fund and said she would share the results of the Colorado Democratic Party audit as soon as she receives them.
McCluskie said later in the email, she would share draft protocols and plans for a caucus treasurer in the weeks ahead.
In other emails shared with FOX31, members addressed their frustrations with caucus co-chairs taking concerns with the fund to leadership rather than the caucus as a body. Other messages alluded to one of the co-chairs of the caucus, Rep. Mandy Lindsay, covering caucus expenses with her own money.
FOX31’s political analyst Andy Boian weighed in.
“I don’t think anything mischievous really, actually happened. I know they are under audit right now so we will find out really what happened but my understanding is that a member of the legislature took money out of her own pocket to pay for a caucus meeting and pay for, potentially, some food and she’s being reimbursed. She reimbursed herself out of the caucus fund in order to do so. That is probably not typical to do it that way but I don’t think anything mischievous is happening here,” Boian said.
Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie declined an interview on the matter, but gave FOX31 the following statement:
Last April, a member raised questions about our caucus funds and procedures, which are collected from member dues and used to rent meeting space and provide caucus meals for our weekly meetings. I asked the state party to conduct an audit and suggest additional financial controls, and we will review the results and suggestions with the caucus co-chairs. While I do not manage this fund, I take issues like this very seriously, which is why I stepped in to help us better understand this situation and to put in place new financial controls and best practices.”
Shad Murib, Colorado Democratic Party Chair, also responded to FOX31 with the following statement:
At the direction of the Speaker and Majority Leader, House Democrats are reviewing their petty cash fund, and we’re happy to provide assistance on this. These funds are members’ dues, not taxpayer dollars, and our goal is to give House Democrats confidence that their funds are spent and accounted for responsibly.”
FOX31 is still working to learn how much money is involved and when the audit should be complete.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
