Worcester Candidate Beshai Fined By State Campaign Finance Office
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Beshai, a management consultant, of Worcester, has so far failed to pay the fine and it is in danger of being sent to collection, according to a Jan. 31, 2013 letter to Beshai from Michael Sullivan, director of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.
Beshai did not respond to requests for comment from GoLocalWorcester.com.
"I have worked for and have been contracted by many companies to read their financial statements, isolate their problems areas and make them healthy again," his website says.
James Gubber, Beshai’s campaign treasurer and a sales and leasing consultant at Diamond Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, also did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Missing Finance Reports
Beshai’s trouble with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance began in October 2012, when he failed to submit a report detailing his campaign cash, Jason Tait, spokesman for OCPF said.
Beshai ran in 2012 as a Democrat for the 15th District seat and lost the five-way primary race to Mary Keefe, who went on to be elected in November.
Beshai is a long-time candidate for state and local offices. He was one of four candidates for statewide office who failed to file the required reports and whose cases were referred to the attorney general’s office for investigation.
"Some people respond to our letters and some do not," Tait said.
All official candidates are required to report to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance how much campaign cash they receive and spend, even after they lose, exit a race or take office. Candidates must file reports if they have a balance or liabilities, according to OCPF.
Unanswered Letters and Unpaid Fines
Beshai’s report in question was for the period of Aug. 20, 2012 through October 19, 2012. The primary was September 6.
The OCPF notified Beshai on Oct. 31, 2012 that it was missing the report and would begin assessing a fine of $25 per day until the report was received.
On Nov. 13, the OCPF sent another letter to Beshai.
"IMPORTANT: If you fail to file the required report within ten days of receipt of this notice, this office is required to notify the Attorney General," the letter says.
The OCPF did refer Beshai’s case to Attorney General Martha Coakley to investigate.
The investigation was halted when on Jan. 9, 2013, Beshai filed the required report with OCPF. But Beshai’s troubles continue as he has failed to pay the $1,775 fine, Tait said.
The OCPF sent a letter to Beshai Jan. 31, 2013 about the overdue fine. The office has sent him four notices about the fine and if payment isn’t received it may now send the bill to a collection agency.
As of Feb. 6, Beshai had not yet paid the $1,775 fine, Tait said.
Outstanding Liabilities
Beshai’s campaign finance report of Aug. 20 to Oct. 19, 2012 shows that he took in $1,918, spent $1,806 and was left with $144.28 in campaign cash. He owed an overall $5,583.
His latest report, also filed Jan. 9, 2013, for Oct. 20, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2012, shows he took in $251, spent $200 and had $195 in cash left. He still had liabilities of $5,834.
All of the campaign funds he received were from Frank Beshai, and the money spent was to Frank Beshai. The liabilities are for money owed to Frank Beshai, according to the report.
Beshai last ran in 2010, as a Republican, for Worcester County sheriff, his third try for that office. He came closest to winning in his 1998 bid to unseat Sheriff John Flynn, when he won about 36 percent of the vote.
He ran unsuccessfully for Worcester City Council in 2009 and for the 15th District state representative seat in 2000. He ran as a Republican and lost to Vincent Pedone.
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