Worcester City Councilor Settles Campaign Finance Discrepancies
A recent settlement between Worcester City Council Vice-Chairman Khrystian E. King and the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance resolved issues related to late campaign finance reporting. An audit conducted on his campaign account from June 2023 to March 2025 identified noncompliance with multiple provisions of campaign finance law. The primary concern was the untimely filing of deposit reports, leading to approximately $37,900 in contributor information not being submitted within deadlines. This delay resulted in an excess contribution of $390 over nearly two years. To address this issue, King agreed to return the excess amount to the state, thus concluding the matter.
In addition to the financial discrepancy, there were delays in clarifying expenditures totaling about $32,000. While these details were eventually provided, they occurred after required deadlines, frustrating public interest in timely disclosure. The agency emphasized that failure to comply with future reporting requirements could lead to legal action barring candidates from appearing on ballots or referral to the Attorney General. King stated that the situation has been fully resolved through cooperation with the agency.
Late Reporting Leads to Financial Adjustment
King's campaign faced scrutiny due to the untimely submission of critical financial data. During the audit period, a significant portion of contributions was not reported within stipulated timeframes. This oversight contributed to an overage of $390 in contributions received by the campaign over nearly two years. By agreeing to return the excess funds, King addressed the issue directly, ensuring compliance with state regulations. The Public Resolution Letter issued by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance underscores the importance of adhering to strict reporting deadlines to maintain transparency in campaign finances.
The letter highlighted that the most pressing issue was the failure to file deposit reports promptly. According to William C. Campbell, director of the agency, roughly $38,100 was deposited into King’s campaign account during the audited timeframe. However, crucial contributor information amounting to approximately $37,900 was not filed within the necessary periods. This delay likely compounded the issue of receiving $390 more than allowed under aggregate limits. Had the reports been prepared and submitted on time, it would have been clearer to King's committee regarding the contribution caps, potentially preventing the excess contributions. Campbell noted that King’s agreement to purge the excess funds helped conclude the matter effectively.
Potential Consequences for Future Noncompliance
Beyond addressing the immediate financial irregularities, the resolution also emphasizes the potential consequences of continued noncompliance. Failure to meet future reporting obligations could result in severe actions, including disqualification from appearing on ballots at both state and local levels in Massachusetts. Furthermore, persistent violations might lead to referrals to the Attorney General for further investigation. Such measures highlight the seriousness with which the agency views adherence to campaign finance laws.
Campbell pointed out that his office had engaged with King's committee during the audit period to clarify around $32,000 in expenditures. Although the clarifications were eventually provided, they came after the required deadlines, underscoring the challenges posed by delayed filings. The agency expressed hope that the guidance provided during this process would foster better compliance moving forward. Additionally, the letter served as a warning to other campaigns about the potential repercussions of neglecting timely financial disclosures. King assured that the situation has been fully rectified through collaboration with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining transparency in political financing. Among current Worcester city councilors, no others are listed as having received similar public resolution letters, although past recipients include figures like Michael Gaffney in 2015 and Konstantina Lukes in 2009.