Steven R. Sears v. Ben McCrory

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REL: 12/18/2009 Notice: T h i s o p i n i o n i s s u b j e c t t o f o r m a l r e v i s i o n b e f o r e p u b l i c a t i o n i n t h e advance s h e e t s o f Southern R e p o r t e r . R e a d e r s a r e r e q u e s t e d t o n o t i f y t h e R e p o r t e r o f D e c i s i o n s , A l a b a m a A p p e l l a t e C o u r t s , 300 D e x t e r A v e n u e , M o n t g o m e r y , A l a b a m a 3 6 1 0 4 - 3 7 4 1 ( ( 3 3 4 ) 2 2 9 ¬ 0 6 4 9 ) , o f a n y t y p o g r a p h i c a l o r o t h e r e r r o r s , i n o r d e r t h a t c o r r e c t i o n s may b e made b e f o r e t h e o p i n i o n i s p r i n t e d i n Southern R e p o r t e r . SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA OCTOBER TERM, 2009-2010 1080728 S t e v e n R. Sears v. Ben M c C r o r y Appeal STUART, eligible was Court Justice. Steven Shelby from S h e l b y C i r c u i t (CV-08-1019) R. Circuit Sears Court initiated alleging to hold the office elected because, Sears an e l e c t i o n that contest Ben McCrory i n the was n o t o f mayor o f M o n t e v a l l o t o w h i c h he alleged, McCrory had f a i l e d to 1080728 comply w i t h Fair the reporting and d i s c l o s u r e r e q u i r e m e n t s Campaign P r a c t i c e s A c t , ("the FCPA"). The t r i a l favor o f McCrory, § 17-5-1 e t s e q . , court and Sears entered appeals. o f the A l a . Code 1975 a summary j u d g m e n t i n We a f f i r m . I. Sears, McCrory, Montevallo mayoral candidates f o r a and Roger W h e e l e r were c a n d i d a t e s election local under t h e FCPA t o f i l e with the local held elected on August office, 26, they 2008. were As required periodic f i n a n c i a l - d i s c l o s u r e reports judge o f probate detailing both c o n t r i b u t i o n s r e c e i v e d and campaign expenditures times relevant to t h i s i n the action, § 17-5-8(a)(1), campaign made. At a l l A l a . Code 1 9 7 5 , s p e c i f i c a l l y r e q u i r e d t h a t s u c h r e p o r t s b e f i l e d " [ b ] e t w e e n 50 and 45 days b e f o r e and between of [ t h e ] e l e c t i o n . " "[e]ach report 1 under Section this 10 a n d 5 d a y s b e f o r e the date 17-5-8(c) f u r t h e r provides section shall that disclose": " ( 1 ) The a m o u n t o f c a s h o r o t h e r a s s e t s on h a n d at t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d and f o r w a r d until t h e end o f that reporting period and d i s b u r s e m e n t s made f r o m same. " ( 2 ) The i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f e a c h p e r s o n who h a s made c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o s u c h c o m m i t t e e o r c a n d i d a t e S e c t i o n 1 7 - 5 - 8 ( a ) was a m e n d e d e f f e c t i v e A u g u s t time p e r i o d s remain unchanged. 1 The 2 1, 2 0 0 9 . 1080728 within the calendar year i n an a g g r e g a t e amount g r e a t e r t h a n one h u n d r e d d o l l a r s ($100), together w i t h t h e amount a n d d a t e o f a l l s u c h c o n t r i b u t i o n s ; p r o v i d e d , however, i n t h e case o f a p o l i t i c a l a c t i o n committee i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s h a l l mean t h e name a n d city o f residence o f each person who h a s made contributions within the calendar year i n an aggregate amount g r e a t e r t h a n one h u n d r e d dollars ($100). " ( 3 ) The t o t a l a m o u n t o f o t h e r c o n t r i b u t i o n s r e c e i v e d during the calendar year but not r e p o r t e d under s u b d i v i s i o n (c)(2) o f t h i s s e c t i o n . "(4) Each calendar year one hundred identification the endorsers, and amount o f l o a n t o o r from any person w i t h i n t h e i n an a g g r e g a t e amount g r e a t e r t h a n dollars ($100), together with the o f the lender, the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f or g u a r a n t o r s , i f any, and t h e date such l o a n s . " ( 5 ) The t o t a l a m o u n t o f r e c e i p t s f r o m a n y o t h e r source d u r i n g such c a l e n d a r year. " ( 6 ) The g r a n d t o t a l o f a l l r e c e i p t s b y o r f o r such committee d u r i n g t h e c a l e n d a r year. " ( 7 ) The i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f e a c h p e r s o n t o whom e x p e n d i t u r e s h a v e b e e n made b y o r on b e h a l f o f s u c h committee or e l e c t e d o f f i c i a l w i t h i n t h e calendar y e a r i n an a g g r e g a t e amount g r e a t e r t h a n one h u n d r e d dollars ($100), t h e amount, d a t e , and p u r p o s e o f each such expenditure, and, i f a p p l i c a b l e , t h e designation o f each constitutional amendment o r other proposition with respect to which an e x p e n d i t u r e was made. " ( 8 ) The i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f e a c h p e r s o n t o whom an e x p e n d i t u r e f o r p e r s o n a l s e r v i c e s , s a l a r i e s , a n d r e i m b u r s e d e x p e n s e s g r e a t e r t h a n one h u n d r e d d o l l a r s ( $ 1 0 0 ) h a s b e e n made, a n d w h i c h i s n o t o t h e r w i s e r e p o r t e d o r exempted from t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f t h i s 3 1080728 c h a p t e r , i n c l u d i n g t h e amount, d a t e , such expenditure. and purpose o f " ( 9 ) T h e g r a n d t o t a l o f a l l e x p e n d i t u r e s made b y such committee or elected official during the calendar year. "(10) The amount and n a t u r e o f debts and o b l i g a t i o n s owed b y o r t o t h e c o m m i t t e e o r e l e c t e d official, together with a statement as t o t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s and c o n d i t i o n s under which any such debt or obligation was extinguished and t h e consideration therefor." Finally, § 17-5-8(d) described by reports also requires be s i g n e d that each by the candidate of the aboveand accompanied t h e c a n d i d a t e ' s sworn a f f i d a v i t " s e t t i n g f o r t h i n s u b s t a n c e that such belief report i s to the best i n a l l respects candidate, that true and complete, a n d , i f made b y a he o r s h e h a s n o t r e c e i v e d any c o n t r i b u t i o n s or made a n y e x p e n d i t u r e s by such which a r e n o t s e t f o r t h and c o v e r e d report." Between mayoral o f h i s o r h e r knowledge and 50 and election, 45 Sears, days before McCrory, the August their See reports mandated by § A l a . Code 1975 4 filed t h e t h e n due 17-5-8 c a m p a i g n s h a d n o t r e a c h e d t h e minimum f i l i n g § 17-5-2(a)(1), 2008 , each and Wheeler w a i v e r s s t a t i n g t h a t t h e y were exempt f r o m f i l i n g financial-disclosure 26, (stating that because threshold. no person 1080728 shall be within considered the a meaning candidate the of for a until FCPA local he elected she or office either has r e c e i v e d c o n t r i b u t i o n s o r made e x p e n d i t u r e s e x c e e d i n g $ 1 , 0 0 0 ) . The next d i s c l o s u r e reports were due t o be filed between a n d 5 d a y s b e f o r e t h e A u g u s t 26 e l e c t i o n , or between and A u g u s t Sears, Wheeler 21. There a l lfiled the sufficiency not been against i s no some dispute reports of the r e p o r t s questioned. McCrory i s that time period, and by S e a r s and W h e e l e r has that of Sears's reports filed b o t h w i t h i n and o u t s i d e t h a t t i m e p e r i o d were not complete so and/or timely as to comply with filed the between August 15 1. following reports and September with the by McCrory between-10- Specifically, probate 8: On A u g u s t 1 5 , M c C r o r y f i l e d a t w o - p a g e report with the probate court. T h e f i r s t p a g e was t h e official "Appointment of P r i n c i p a l Campaign C o m m i t t e e " f o r m u s e d t o show c o m p l i a n c e w i t h § 17-5-4, A l a . Code 1975, and w h i c h M c C r o r y h a d previously filed. At the bottom of t h i s form, 2 2 Section 17-5-4 states: " W i t h i n f i v e days a f t e r any p e r s o n becomes a candidate f o r o f f i c e , such person s h a l l f i l e with the Secretary of State or judge of probate, as 5 claim sufficiently the a n d - 5 - d a y s ' r e p o r t i n g r e q u i r e m e n t o f t h e FCPA. McCrory 16 and t h e gravamen the various August McCrory, within filed However, that 10 court 1080728 McCrory signed a statement a f f i r m i n g that "to the best o f my k n o w l e d g e and b e l i e f ... the information contained herein is true and correct." The s e c o n d p a g e was the official " F o r m 2" u s e d t o l i s t c o n t r i b u t i o n s r e c e i v e d by candidates. It indicated that McCrory's c a m p a i g n h a d r e c e i v e d o n l y two c o n t r i b u t i o n s -¬ $100 on J u l y 18, 2 0 0 8 , a n d $ 1 , 0 0 0 on J u l y 2 0 , 2008. 2. On A u g u s t 19, M c C r o r y f i l e d t h r e e m o r e p a g e s w i t h the p r o b a t e c o u r t . The f i r s t page was another signed Appointment of Principal C a m p a i g n C o m m i t t e e f o r m , a n d t h e n e x t two p a g e s were a n o t h e r Form 2 r e p o r t a g a i n l i s t i n g the two contributions totaling $1,100 from the A u g u s t 15 r e p o r t , as w e l l as an a d d i t i o n a l 13 c o n t r i b u t i o n s r e c e i v e d b e t w e e n J u l y 25, 2008, a n d A u g u s t 7, 2 0 0 8 , t o t a l i n g $ 2 , 1 6 0 . 3. On A u g u s t 22 -- f o u r d a y s b e f o r e t h e e l e c t i o n a n d one d a y a f t e r t h e f i l i n g d e a d l i n e f o r t h e b e t w e e n - 1 0 - a n d - 5 - d a y s r e p o r t -- M c C r o r y filed t h r e e more p a g e s w i t h t h e p r o b a t e c o u r t . The f i r s t p a g e was another signed Appointment of P r i n c i p a l Campaign Committee form. The second p a g e was t h e o f f i c i a l " F o r m 3" u s e d t o l i s t i n k i n d c o n t r i b u t i o n s r e c e i v e d by c a n d i d a t e s . It i n d i c a t e d t h a t M c C r o r y ' s campaign had received two i n - k i n d c o n t r i b u t i o n s worth approximately $105 f o r a d v e r t i s i n g a n d r e n t . The t h i r d p a g e p r o v i d e d i n S e c t i o n 17-5-9, a s t a t e m e n t showing the name o f n o t l e s s t h a n two n o r m o r e t h a n f i v e p e r s o n s e l e c t e d t o s e r v e as t h e p r i n c i p a l c a m p a i g n c o m m i t t e e for such candidate, together with a written a c c e p t a n c e o r c o n s e n t by s u c h c o m m i t t e e , b u t any candidate may declare himself o r h e r s e l f as the person chosen to serve as t h e p r i n c i p a l campaign committee, in which case such candidate shall p e r f o r m t h e d u t i e s o f c h a i r and t r e a s u r e r o f s u c h c o m m i t t e e p r e s c r i b e d by t h i s chapter." 6 1080728 was the o f f i c i a l e x p e n d i t u r e s made b y that McCrory had a d v e r t i s i n g expenses "Form 5" used to list candidates. I t indicated paid administrative and t o t a l i n g $1,469.58. 4. On A u g u s t 2 8 , t w o d a y s a f t e r t h e e l e c t i o n , McCrory filed a five-page report labeled "corrected copy." I t was prefaced by a n o t a r i z e d o f f i c i a l "Summary F o r m 1" i n d i c a t i n g t h a t i t was t h e " 1 0 - 5 Day P r e - E l e c t i o n R e p o r t " and which i n d i c a t e d that McCrory's campaign had: (1) a b e g i n n i n g b a l a n c e o f $ 1 , 1 0 0 ; (2) i t e m i z e d c a s h c o n t r i b u t i o n s o f $ 2 , 1 6 0 ; (3) i n kind contributions o f $ 1 0 5 ; (4) no r e c e i p t s from other sources; (5) expenditures of $1,469.58; and (6) a n ending balance of $1,790.42. I t a l s o i n c l u d e d a copy o f t h e twop a g e F o r m 2 r e p o r t p r e v i o u s l y f i l e d on A u g u s t 19 w i t h t h e t w o c o n t r i b u t i o n s ( t o t a l i n g $ 1 , 1 0 0 ) t h a t w e r e a l s o l i s t e d o n t h e A u g u s t 15 r e p o r t crossed out with the notation "covered i n l a s t r e p o r t " w r i t t e n n e x t t o them. This f i l i n g also i n c l u d e d c o p i e s o f t h e Form 3 and Form 5 f i l e d on A u g u s t 2 2 . 5. On S e p t e m b e r 8, M c C r o r y f i l e d a n o t h e r Summary F o r m 1 i n d i c a t i n g t h a t i t was a n "Amended P r e ¬ Election Report" and which indicated cash c o n t r i b u t i o n s o f $1,100. On August 26, candidate received a election runoff candidates October 7, the a majority between receiving 2008. mayoral election was of the votes cast, Sears t h e most Following and votes the McCrory -- runoff was held. No however, and -- the two scheduled f o r election, i t was determined t h a t McCrory had p r e v a i l e d over Sears by a t a l l y o f 7 1080728 412 v o t e s t o 403 certified filed as t h e w i n n e r the Ala. v o t e s , and, instant Code 1 9 7 5 , 3 on O c t o b e r 20, of the e l e c t i o n . election alleging 2008, McCrory That contest pursuant that McCrory was failed to file a proper 5 days b e f o r e the August required 17-5-8 that § McCrory's void. Both and, on motion the certificate parties January of 21, FCPA. of 11-46-69, to be Sears a l l e g e d , he Sears report accordingly as argued be declared thereafter moved f o r a summary judgment, 2009, trial McCrory's the should court granted and e n t e r e d a summary j u d g m e n t i n h i s f a v o r . Section Sears 26 g e n e r a l e l e c t i o n election court subsequently denied a motion 3 § financial-disclosure b e t w e e n 10 a n d by to not q u a l i f i e d a candidate i n the mayoral e l e c t i o n because, had same d a y , was 11-46-69 filed The by S e a r s a s k i n g i t t o states: " ( a ) The e l e c t i o n o f a n y p e r s o n d e c l a r e d e l e c t e d t o a n y o f f i c e o f a c i t y o r t o w n may be c o n t e s t e d b y a n y p e r s o n who was a t t h e t i m e o f t h e e l e c t i o n a q u a l i f i e d e l e c t o r o f such c i t y or town f o r any o f the f o l l o w i n g causes: "(2) The person whose election to office is contested was not eligible t h e r e t o at the time of such e l e c t i o n " 8 trial 1080728 alter, Sears amend, o r v a c a t e t h e j u d g m e n t , a n d , filed his notice of appeal to t h i s on M a r c h 19, 2009, Court. II. The standard for reviewing a summary judgment is well settled: " T h i s C o u r t ' s r e v i e w o f a s u m m a r y j u d g m e n t i s de novo. W i l l i a m s v. S t a t e Farm Mut. A u t o . I n s . Co., 8 8 6 So. 2 d 72 , 74 ( A l a . 2 0 0 3 ) . We a p p l y t h e same standard of r e v i e w as the trial court applied. S p e c i f i c a l l y , we m u s t d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r t h e m o v a n t h a s made a p r i m a f a c i e s h o w i n g t h a t no g e n u i n e i s s u e of m a t e r i a l fact exists and that the movant i s e n t i t l e d t o a j u d g m e n t as a m a t t e r o f l a w . Rule 5 6 ( c ) , A l a . R. C i v . P.; B l u e C r o s s & B l u e S h i e l d o f A l a b a m a v . H o d u r s k i , 899 So. 2d 9 4 9 , 9 5 2 - 5 3 ( A l a . 2004). I n m a k i n g s u c h a d e t e r m i n a t i o n , we must r e v i e w t h e e v i d e n c e i n t h e l i g h t most f a v o r a b l e t o t h e n o n m o v a n t . W i l s o n v . B r o w n , 496 So. 2d 7 5 6 , 758 (Ala. 1986). Once t h e movant makes a p r i m a facie s h o w i n g t h a t t h e r e i s no g e n u i n e i s s u e o f m a t e r i a l f a c t , the burden then s h i f t s t o the nonmovant t o produce ' s u b s t a n t i a l e v i d e n c e ' as t o t h e e x i s t e n c e of a genuine issue of m a t e r i a l fact. Bass v. S o u t h T r u s t B a n k o f B a l d w i n C o u n t y , 538 So. 2d 7 9 4 , 797-98 ( A l a . 1989); A l a . Code 1975, § 12-21-12. ' [ S ] u b s t a n t i a l evidence i s evidence of such weight and q u a l i t y t h a t f a i r - m i n d e d p e r s o n s i n t h e e x e r c i s e of impartial judgment can reasonably infer the e x i s t e n c e o f t h e f a c t s o u g h t t o be p r o v e d . ' West v. F o u n d e r s L i f e A s s u r . Co. o f F l a . , 547 So. 2d 870 , 871 ( A l a . 1 9 8 9 ) . " Dow v. (Ala. Alabama Democratic Party, 2004). III. 9 897 So. 2d 1035, 1038-39 1080728 The only McCrory issue complied candidates for a with public r e p o r t b e t w e e n 10 are f o r us candidate. and days before detailed (2) the on a summary s t a t e m e n t calendar that the none of year; report the in this requirement office file argues to f i l e the that of the is whether FCPA that a financial-disclosure e l e c t i o n i n which they § FCPA 17-5-8 includes: a l l contributions of case of the a s i n g l e r e p o r t b e t w e e n 10 e l e c t i o n that information that decide 5 days b e f o r e r e q u i r e s each candidate 5 the Sears 4 to a l l r e c e i p t s and and complete and expenditures; expenditures (3) a i s true and complete. He also alleges McCrory met this requirement. filed by affidavit for and reports notarized (1) and attesting that Before the trial c o u r t , M c C r o r y had argued that the e l e c t i o n c o n t e s t f i l e d b y S e a r s was u n t i m e l y b e c a u s e S e a r s d i d not f i l e i t i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r the g e n e r a l e l e c t i o n but i n s t e a d w a i t e d u n t i l a f t e r t h e r u n o f f e l e c t i o n . The t r i a l c o u r t d i d n o t s t a t e i t s r a t i o n a l e f o r e n t e r i n g a summary j u d g m e n t i n f a v o r o f M c C r o r y , and S e a r s has a c c o r d i n g l y d e v o t e d a p o r t i o n of h i s a p p e l l a t e b r i e f to the argument t h a t t h i s a c t i o n was timely filed. H o w e v e r , on May 15, 2 0 0 9 , a f t e r t h e t r i a l c o u r t entered i t s judgment i n t h i s case, t h i s Court r e l e a s e d i t s o p i n i o n i n S m i t h v. B u r k h a l t e r , [Ms. 1 0 8 0 2 0 2 , May 15, 2 0 0 9 ] So. 3d , ( A l a . 2 0 0 9 ) , i n w h i c h we c l a r i f i e d t h a t an e l e c t i o n c o n t e s t c a n n o t be f i l e d u n t i l a f t e r a c a n d i d a t e is "declared elected." Thus, Sears w o u l d have been u n a b l e to f i l e an e l e c t i o n c o n t e s t b e f o r e t h e r u n o f f e l e c t i o n was held and a w i n n e r d e c l a r e d ; a c c o r d i n g l y , t h i s e l e c t i o n c o n t e s t was timely filed. In his brief to this Court, McCrory a c k n o w l e d g e s t h e h o l d i n g o f S m i t h and t h a t t h e o n l y i s s u e f o r o u r r e v i e w i s w h e t h e r he c o m p l i e d w i t h t h e F C P A . 4 10 1080728 However, McCrory, q u o t i n g (Ala. in 2008), argues that enacting office t h e FCPA i n Alabama expenditures he f i l e d before before fact provide received We the to require disclose September with Of McCrory 8 -- 26 that and the reports together, the signed election Those reports and e v e r y after the did in expenditure course, 11 made b y t o do s o . -- on they filings campaign McCrory, The the reports August 28 and true appear t o be an and t o summarize i n previously i t i s nevertheless 22, w h i c h disclosure any p r e v i o u s l y u n i d e n t i f i e d the previous on A u g u s t filed that information before instead, a l l the information the he d e t a i l e d every election or expenditures; reports d i d provide d i d not d i s c l o s e to c l a r i f y McCrory for public made. McCrory received contributions report purpose contributions a n e l e c t i o n , " a n d , he a r g u e s , c o u l d have had t h e o p p o r t u n i t y by attempt candidates campaign any c i t i z e n d e s i r i n g t o r e v i e w filed by to b y t h e FCPA. election one was t h e e l e c t i o n , when c o n s i d e r e d August contribution and "[t]he l e g i s l a t u r e ' s primary and e x p e n d i t u r e s required 6 S o . 3 d 4 9 1 , 499 c o m p l e t e and f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f a l l c o n t r i b u t i o n s agree before Bryan v. Hubbard, submitted. that d i d contain the report new filed information 1080728 regarding outside was by FCPA. and expenditures, between-10-and-5-day p e r i o d In 1991), t h i s which filed the the untimely. (Ala. in contributions Davis We Reynolds, required candidate, but to not before by 592 the election, 555-56 contest w i t h i n the 2d under the period FCPA required stated: "The [ F C P A ] was e n a c t e d by t h e L e g i s l a t u r e i n 1988. I t s p r i m a r y l a u d a b l e p u r p o s e was to r e q u i r e c a n d i d a t e s f o r p u b l i c o f f i c e i n Alabama to d i s c l o s e campaign c o n t r i b u t i o n s and expenditures p r i o r to elections. It repealed parts of the Corrupt P r a c t i c e s A c t , § 17-22-1 et seq., [ A l a . Code 1975,] which r e q u i r e d d i s c l o s u r e o n l y a f t e r the e l e c t i o n . To a c c o m p l i s h t h i s p u r p o s e , t h e l e g i s l a t u r e i n c l u d e d sanctions for violation of the statute. For a f a i l u r e t o f i l e a s t a t e m e n t r e q u i r e d by t h e s t a t u t e p r i o r t o t h e e l e c t i o n , § 1 7 - 2 2 A - 2 1 [now § 1 7 - 5 - 1 8 ] p r o v i d e s the h a r s h e s t p e n a l t y of a l l : "'A c e r t i f i c a t e o f e l e c t i o n o r n o m i n a t i o n s h a l l n o t be i s s u e d t o a n y p e r s o n e l e c t e d or nominated to s t a t e or l o c a l o f f i c e who s h a l l f a i l t o f i l e any s t a t e m e n t o r r e p o r t r e q u i r e d by t h i s C h a p t e r . ' "Thus, any candidate who fails to file a statement that is required to be filed by the [FCPA], p r i o r to the e l e c t i o n f o r the purpose of i n f o r m i n g the v o t i n g p u b l i c of the s o u r c e s of h i s c o n t r i b u t i o n s and t h e s u b j e c t o f h i s expenditures, s h a l l f o r f e i t the e l e c t i o n . " F o r t h e c a n d i d a t e who d o e s n o t f a i l t o s t a t e m e n t b e f o r e t h e e l e c t i o n , b u t who files 12 was 546, filed So. which a similar election Court considered a document the v. and file such a a was by 1080728 s t a t e m e n t l a t e , § 1 7 - 2 2 A - 2 2 ( b ) [now § 17-17-35(b)] p r e s c r i b e s and a p p l i e s punishment i n t h e form o f a criminal penalty. "These two d i s t i n c t s a n c t i o n s , f o r f e i t u r e o f t h e e l e c t i o n f o r t h o s e c a n d i d a t e s who f a i l t o f i l e t h e d i s c l o s u r e statements r e q u i r e d by t h e s t a t u t e p r i o r to t h e e l e c t i o n , and c r i m i n a l f i n e s f o r c a n d i d a t e s who f i l e such d i s c l o s u r e statements p r i o r t o t h e e l e c t i o n b u t not w i t h i n t h e time p r e s c r i b e d by t h e statute, carry out the l e g i s l a t i v e intent of f u l l d i s c l o s u r e before the e l e c t i o n ; but these sanctions do not require a candidate who discloses h i s c o n t r i b u t i o n s and e x p e n d i t u r e s b e f o r e t h e e l e c t i o n (but n o t w i t h i n t h e t i m e p r o v i d e d b y t h e s t a t u t e ) t o f o r f e i t the election. That s a n c t i o n i s t o o h a r s h t o v i s i t u p o n a c a n d i d a t e who h a s n o t f a i l e d t o f i l e t h e s t a t e m e n t s r e q u i r e d , b u t has m e r e l y f i l e d them late. After a l l , this candidate i s the candidate chosen by t h e p e o p l e as t h e i r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e , even t h o u g h h i s d i s c l o s u r e s t a t e m e n t was f i l e d u n t i m e l y . The people's choice should prevail even i f the candidate i s i n v i o l a t i o n of the time c o n s t r a i n t s of t h e s t a t u t e , i f he f i l e s h i s d i s c l o s u r e statements prior to the election. "A fair reading of the [FCPA] leads one inescapably to the conclusion that the Legislature made a c l e a r distinction between p e n a l t i e s that w o u l d a p p l y t o t h o s e c a n d i d a t e s who f a i l t o f i l e disclosure statements and those candidates who m e r e l y f i l e them l a t e . I t i s not s u r p r i s i n g that i t d i d s o . I t was d e s i g n e d t o d i f f e r f r o m t h e C o r r u p t Practices A c t , which provided only the harsh s a n c t i o n o f r e m o v a l o f t h e c a n d i d a t e ' s name f r o m t h e ballot. The p u r p o s e o f t h e [ F C P A ] i s t o a i d t h e voting public i n choosing i t s state and county officials. I t s purpose i s n o t t o deny t h e v o t i n g p u b l i c i t s c h o i c e o f r e p r e s e n t a t i v e , e v e n i f he o r she h a s f a i l e d t o meet a s t a t u t o r y d e a d l i n e f o r f i l i n g d i s c l o s u r e s t a t e m e n t s , s o l o n g a s he o r s h e 13 1080728 nevertheless election. has f i l e d the statements prior to the fl "The [ F C P A ] m a r k s a new d a y i n A l a b a m a c a m p a i g n practices. I t r e q u i r e s f u l l and complete d i s c l o s u r e by a l l c a n d i d a t e s f o r p u b l i c o f f i c e o f t h e s o u r c e s of a l l c o n t r i b u t i o n s and t h e s u b j e c t of a l l expenditures. I t requires this disclosure prior to the election. I f i t i s n o t made b e f o r e t h e e l e c t i o n , t h e c a n d i d a t e may n o t b e c e r t i f i e d t o t h e o f f i c e i f h e w i n s t h e e l e c t i o n , § 1 7 - 2 2 A - 2 1 [now § 17-5-18]. I t r e q u i r e s t h i s d i s c l o s u r e s h o r t l y a f t e r one b e c o m e s a c a n d i d a t e . I f i t i s n o t made w i t h i n the time required, but before the election, the candidate i s s u b j e c t t o t h e p e n a l t i e s p r o v i d e d by § 1 7 - 2 2 A - 2 2 ( b ) [now § 1 7 - 1 7 - 3 5 ( b ) ] . I t s purpose i s t o inform the voting public of the source of a candidate's financial support. This purpose i s s e r v e d by t h e s a n c t i o n s p r o v i d e d f o r i n t h eA c t . T h i s C o u r t h a s no a u t h o r i t y t o e n l a r g e t h e s a n c t i o n s provided f o r i n the l e g i s l a t i o n itself." (Footnote omitted.) Thus, like the candidate in Davis, M c C r o r y was " a c a n d i d a t e who d i s c l o s e [ d ] h i s c o n t r i b u t i o n s a n d expenditures before provided the statute)." by therefore violate people's violation his at choice 555. 592 (but not w i t h i n So. 2d at the 555. time He d i d t h e F C P A ; h o w e v e r , we h a v e h e l d t h a t " [ t ] h e should of the time disclosure the election prevail even constraints statements prior A c c o r d i n g l y , Sears i f the candidate of the statute, to the election." was n o t e n t i t l e d 14 i f he i si n files 592 S o . 2 d to the r e l i e f he 1080728 s o u g h t --- and the the McCrory. revocation trial court of McCrory's c e r t i f i c a t e properly entered of e l e c t i o n judgment in favor of 5 IV. Sears alleging initiated that this M c C r o r y was action not by filing qualified t o be a a candidate t h e A u g u s t 2008 m a y o r a l e l e c t i o n f o r M o n t e v a l l o alleged, report as McCrory McCrory did not r e q u i r e d by did in fact information § election, by and by 17-5-8, the the he was valid. issue of judgment Davis, 592 material entered by the FCPA, 2d at fact in this trial the albeit 555-56. court However, Sears outside i n the a l l the eligible the period for that subsequently runoff election There regard, because election e l e c t i o n he the most v o t e s So. the FCPA. nevertheless of because, in a financial-disclosure before certification received after garnering is file § 17-5-8 o f disclose required mandated timely complaint and i s no genuine the summary i s accordingly due to be affirmed. AFFIRMED. Although McCrory's untimely f i l i n g may s u b j e c t him to c r i m i n a l p e n a l t i e s u n d e r § 1 7 - 1 7 - 3 5 ( b ) , A l a . Code 1975, those penalties c a n n o t be sought or imposed i n a c i v i l action b r o u g h t b y a p r i v a t e c i t i z e n s u c h as Sears. 5 15 1080728 Cobb, C . J . , and L y o n s and B o l i n , Murdock, J . , concurs i n the 16 J J . , concur. result.

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