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Lobbyist Donates To Legislator's City Committee Campaign

By JENNA CARLESSO

March 06, 2012

HARTFORD —— State Rep. Kelvin Roldan accepted a donation from one lobbyist in his campaign for the city's Democratic Town Committee during the legislative session, according to Roldan's campaign finance disclosure form.

Under state law, lobbyists can't contribute to political committees established by a member of the General Assembly during the legislative session, said Jennifer Montgomery, an attorney for the State Election Enforcement Commission.

Roldan received a payment of $100 from Michael Dugan, who identified himself as a lobbyist for Capitol Consulting LLC in East Hampton, on Feb. 20, according to the disclosure. The legislative session began Feb. 8.

Roldan could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Mathew Sorokin, treasurer of a political action committee supporting a slate of town committee candidates that includes Roldan, said Tuesday that the Feb. 20 listing could be a clerical error for a payment that was actually received earlier. He also said he believes that Dugan's contribution did not violate the law.

"I have a strong sense that this is a miscommunication… based on an interpretation of what kind of political action committee this is," he said.

Sorokin said due to some "gaps" in the form, he would file an amended finance disclosure.

At least four of the contributions to Roldan's campaign came from lobbyists, though two of them were dated Feb.6. Another, from Patricia LeShane, chief operating officer of the Sullivan & LeShane lobbying firm, does not list the date it was received.