A letter to the city’s elections board alleges that Councilman Piotr Gajewski, a candidate for mayor, exceeded the $1,000-per-donor contribution limit spelled out in the city’s election code.
The complaint, filed Friday by Rockville resident Drew Powell, focuses on Gajewski’s Sept. 30 campaign fund report, which shows that Gajewski accepted two “in-kind” contributions of $600 each covering rent for his campaign headquarters at 718 Rockville Pike.
“This contribution appears to be from a single source and therefore is in violation of Rockville election code, in that it exceeds the $1,000.00 limit by TWO HUNDRED dollars,” Powell wrote. (Click on the PDF at the right to view the letter.)
David Celeste, chairman of the city’s Board of Supervisors of Elections, in an email to Powell on Monday obtained by Rockville Patch, said that the board is investigating the complaint.
Celeste could not say if the investigation would be complete by the Nov. 8 election, The Gazette reported.
One of the $600 contributions, listed in the campaign report as being for “Campaign Office Rental” is from Neil Marcus. The other is from “MS PIKE LLC.” Both contributors share the same Bethesda address. The address is that of Finmarc Management Inc., where, Powell wrote, “Mr. Marcus is an employee and/or principal.”
The letter of complaint is cosigned by eight people, including Joseph Jordan, who was a candidate for City Council before . Jordan served as campaign manager for Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio in 2009 and is one of several of the cosigners who have contributed to Marcuccio’s reelection campaign.
“My understanding is that under our law, any entity can give up to $1,000,” Gajewski said in an interview on Friday.
For example, if a husband and wife are sole shareholders in a corporation, a husband could give $1,000, his wife could give $1,000 and the corporation could give $1,000, Gajewski said.
Regarding the two contributions in question, one was from a company and one was from an individual, he said.
“If I’m wrong and the elections board finds there’s a violation, it’s nothing, it’s easy then for me to refund $200,” he said.
Gajewski told The Gazette that the lease agreement for the headquarters is for a market-value rent of $300 a month for four months, for a total of $1,200.
The headquarters are in a former auto dealership building that was used last year as Montgomery County headquarters for former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.’s campaign for governor.
Gajewski said the complaint “deflects from real issues” of the election.
“It’s not a story. It’s a mudslinging event,” he said.
Gajewski said that he reported the contributions and that he and Marcuccio are spending similar amounts.
“If I had attracted $40,000 in developer money to her $12,000 in contributions, well, OK, there’s a story in that,” he said. “In a city of 60,000 people, if 20 people are talking about it amongst themselves, does it need a megaphone at that point?”
Powell is the former executive director of the now-defunct political action committee Neighbors for a Better Montgomery. He ran for mayor in 2007.
In , Powell called out Gajewski for .
Powell said Tuesday that he had heard allegations that he is conducting “a smear campaign.” Such claims are unfounded, he said.
“I’m not affiliated with any other candidate,” he said.
If there was evidence of potential violations by other campaigns, “I would be saying something about it,” he said.
This is not mudslinging, but it is about honesty and integrity. Mr. Gajewski has been caught in so many distortions and fabrications in the past week or so, and people should be asking themselves if this is the person we want as our Mayor.
Thanks for your comments. With respect to the so-called “developer” money: the reason we can have this discussion is because I disclosed, in complete detail, as is required, every single contribution to my campaign. The only contribution, as of last report, that is from someone that could be even remotely characterized as a “developer” (and I would not characterize him as such, as he is retired and has had no development projects for years) is Mr. Aris Marderosian, who is a friend and has contributed to my campaign in 2007, 2009 and 2011 (all of these disclosed, as required). More importantly, I am not aware that Mr. Marderosian has ever had any business before the City or Rockville Council, but I can state with 100% certainty that he has not had any business before the Council since I have been elected.
There are two other contributions to my campaign that you bring up. They are smaller, and you correctly point out that they are not from “developers;” they are from lawyers. So, I stand by what I said at the King Farm forum. I also stated at the King Farm forum that I would not turn down contributions from developers if they came my way. There is nothing unethical about this.
Also, thank you for bringing up the issue of my campaign office; I welcome the scrutiny. As I fully disclosed on my campaign report, the office space is being donated to me, and I have paid no money for it (your speculation above about any such payments notwithstanding – more smears, no facts). I believe that I correctly reported the in kind contribution on my financial report and I look to the Board of Elections to confirm this after their careful examination.
If she had her way, Rockville would not be building the new police headquarters. If she had her way, Choice Hotels would not be relocating to Town Center. These are the issues that speak to the future of Rockville.
I don't like that answer, but honestly sometimes I can understand why they would say that. This is one of those times. I hope somehow there can be some civility come out of this.
I do not align myself with developers at all. Indeed, I was one of the first to condemn the recent proposal of a Walmart on 355 right outside of the City’s borders as it flies in the face of my vision for Rockville Pike. I understand that last night the Planning Commission, largely appointed by Mayor Marcuccio, approved the Silverwood project near King Farm. I think that this is a great decision and bears out my support of it (Ms. Marcuccio opposed it – another example of her being in the minority on important decisions).
This is not a mudslinging attempt. Campaign fund reports are made public so people can see where funds come from and where they go as disbursements. It is incumbent upon citizens to check the reports and report any possible violations. That is what this is about, plain and simple. It was not instigated by Marcuccio nor her campaign team. I questioned the in-kind contribution and worked with Mr. Powell on the research. If Mr. Gajewski wishes to refer to us as Marcuccio's hounds, that is entirely his right, though very misguided. If someone wants to call into question Gajewski's dealings with developers, go for it, but it would help if comments on this thread dealt with the topic of campaign fund reporting.
Can/will you please answer some questions? 1. Why was a lease necessary if the HQ were "pro bono"? 2. How was the fair market value of $300 per month determined? 3. Are the utilities, furniture, insurance costs included in the $300 monthly lease rate? If not, are these paid for by your campaign or are they also "pro bono"? 4. Whenyou vacate the premises, will the landlord rent the space to others on the same terms? Thank you.
I am curious if you support the deal that is bringing Choice Hotel Headquarters to Rockville. I think it is a fantastic deal and I am puzzled as to why Mayor Marcuccio opposed it. Do you know? Regarding your questions: your name appears on the complaint filed in this matter with the Election Board. Please allow me to respond directly to the Board with respect to your complaint. I am confident that the Board will confirm that all of my actions and disclosures completely conform to all Rockville election law.
Mayor Marcuccio has said many times (in response to your statement that she opposed Choice Hotels coming to Rockville) that the reason she voted against it was because she did NOT think the citizens of Rockville should have to subsidize it to the tune of $1.7million. Aside from this subsidy, she has always been in favor of Choice Hotels coming to Rockville. So, I am curious---why do you keep repeating that you are "puzzled as to why Mayor Marcuccio oopposed it."? Also, why do you now claim that the City's contribution to Choice Hotels is now less than the $1.7 million? Are you getting the citizens of Rockville a better deal now? As far as my questions, I hope that the Election Board will ask these question, and others.
Mayor Marcuccio has said many times (in response to your statement that she opposed Choice Hotels coming to Rockville) that the reason she voted against it was because she did NOT think the citizens of Rockville should have to subsidize it to the tune of $1.7million. Aside from this subsidy, she has always been in favor of Choice Hotels coming to Rockville. So, I am curious---why do you keep repeating that you are "puzzled as to why Mayor Marcuccio opposed it."? Also, why do you now claim that the City's contribution to Choice Hotels is now less than the $1.7 million? Are you getting the citizens of Rockville a better deal now? As far as my questions, I hope that the Election Board will ask these questions and others.
There’s nothing “so called” about the “developer” money you took. You disclosed his maximum $1000 donation only because you had to by Rockville election standards and practices. And you’re wrong about Mardirossian (and that’s the correct spelling, I checked). He is still a big time developer and does own land in Rockville.
You have smeared yourself w/your own unethical conduct. You call attention to the Gazette, well how about the article 2 pages later about your pro bono campaign HQ that violated Rockville election law “Elections board investigates Rockville mayoral candidate” http://www.gazette.net/article/20111026/NEWS/710269466/1007/elections-board-investigates-rockville-mayoral-candidate&template=gazette Your subterfuge is stunning in its brazenness. You say,“There are two other contributions to my campaign that you bring up. They are smaller and you correctly point out that they are not from “developers” they are from lawyers.” Gees Louise! There are actually THREE lawyers. Rechecking your filing they actually gave you a total of $1000 just as much as Mardirossian. Theyre all DEVELOPER lawyers. They all work for the same law firm. One of them has come before you @ CityHall to speak for developers. Of the other 2, THEY WERE THERE FOR THE REED PROPERTY ANNEXATION SCHEME - development next to dump. You took their money, then you voted for a development project that was good for the developer, good for yourself (u got $1000) & bad for Rockville. Technically, it may not have been illegal for you to take their money then vote to annex land to help their bottom line, but it certainly was “unethical.” & yes, I would have no doubt that you “would not turn down [more] contributions from developers if they came your way.” Do you hear yourself? Rockville voters do.
Thank you for clarifying. Yes indeed, I, and my Council colleagues got the Citizens of Rockville a better deal! The City presently has many empty spaces in its garages that it is offering for $65 per month. But there are not enough takers, so no revenue at all is coming in on hundreds of empty spaces. After a tough negotiation, the City has agreed to a deal to make 275 of those spaces available to Choice Hotels for $30 per month (instead of $65) over the next ten years. So now, over ten years, the City will have nearly $1,000,000 of new revenue – and this revenue is guaranteed! Compare: presently no revenue – with Choice Hotels, $1,000,000 of revenue. $1.1 million of what you and the Mayor call “subsidy” is the difference between what the City will be getting under this deal ($30 per month per space) vs. what it currently advertises ($65 per month). But, since there are no buyers, this subsidy is theoretical. What is real is a guaranteed $1,000,000 in new parking revenue. That is the deal that Mayor Marcuccio alone voted against.
Thanks for your comment. Last night Rockville’s Planning Commission, composed of mostly Marcuccio appointees, approved the Sliverwood project. They represent Rockville and made the right decision. Ms. Marcuccio voted against the project: another example of her being in the minority on important decisions. I agree with the Planning Commission and support the project, which, by the way, is in my neighborhood.
It's pretty obvious that there is a motivation behind all of these allegations and the real victim is the Rockville electorate hearing all this type of garbage instead of more discussion about the considerably important issues that the next Rockville Mayor and Council will have to address, including laying the groundwork for how we will be able to grow in the face of development to our north and south in a way that will benefit and strengthen our city. Actually, this is the kind of crap that turned me from being a likely Marcuccio voter into a Gajewski voter---this, and the Councilman's compelling case that Rockville's government has not been led consistently over the last two years. Look at the issues and the votes that have been made. I think he's right about that. It only takes listening to the meetings and a few forums to understand that we need more effective leadership from our Mayor and Council. Regardless of who wins the election, as a resident of the City, I hope that's what we get.
If only one more council member would have agreed with Mayor Marcuccio during the last two years, there would be a completely different discussion on this Patch thread. This is why it is important to vote for a city council who have a similar vision for the city and keep the debt down. We will vote for who we believe.