COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.

WASHINGTON, DC 20004

Mary M. Cheh
Councilmember, Ward 3 Chair Pro Tempore Chair, Committee on Government Operations and the Environment

Office (202) 7248062 Fax (202) 724-81 18 mcheh@dccouncil.Us www.marycheh .com

September 1, 2011 Cecily E. Collier-Montgomery DC Office of Campaign Finance 2000 14th Street, N.W. Suite 433 Washington, D.C. 20009

Dear Director Collier-Montgomery: Today, the District of Columbia Republican Committee sent a letter to your office requesting that you investigate ten current Councilmembers for violating District law by using "their Constituent Services Funds to contribute to DC Democratic organizations." In support of that assertion, they provide on their website a list of "Councilmember who violated DC municipal regulations" and indicate that my CSF donated $50 on June 10, 2011 to the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club ("GSDC") and $500 on May 18, 2007 to the Ward 3 Democratic Committee. Neither of these charges is accurate. While I did initially donate $50 to GSDC for their Capital Pride Champions of Equality reception, I did so without realizing the political nature of the event. As soon as I became aware-not one day later-I requested that the money be refunded to my Constituent Services Fund, which it was on June 29, 2011. That information is reflected onJuly 1, 2011 report to your office. As to the $500 donation in 2007, had the Republican Committee been more careful in its scrutiny of OCF records, it would have realized that the donation was made from a separate Ward 3 Constituent Services Fund held by my predecessor. My staff has scoured every entry for my Constituent Services Fund since taking office and confirmed that I have never donated any money from that fund to the Ward 3 Democratic Committee. I hope the above information helps clarify this matter. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at (202) 724-8062. Sincerely,