CEDRIC GATES, DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 44, FAILS TO DISCLOSE DEVELOPER CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

News Release from Hawaii Republican Party

HONOLULU (November 5, 2016) - GOP State Chair Fritz Rohlfing released the following statement:

"The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported this morning on Wai'anae Democrat State House candidate Cedric Gates' stunning failure to disclose $1,500.00 in campaign contributions from developers of a $300 million Makaha Valley resort.  Gates' omission prevented voters from having all the facts necessary to make an informed decision in the voting booth during the August primary election.

Gates only recently admitted to failing to list a $1,000 contribution from Stanford Carr Development and a $500 contribution from Kane Group in his primary campaign report.

As State Representative Jo Jordan correctly points out: 'It is very critical that candidates correctly report their contributions and their expenditures, because that is what transparency is all about.'

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser stressed just how serious Gates' omission is: 'Gates could face a fine of $250 from the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission or a misdemeanor charge if the commission determines that the contributions were intentionally left out of his primary disclosure report. Gary Kam, general counsel for the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission, said that his office is looking into Gates’ filings.'

This development raises serious questions about Cedric Gates' fitness to represent Wai'anae and Makaha residents in the state legislature."

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