PERRYSBURG, Ohio — A political action committee that helped defeat the last two Perrysburg school bond issues has been sanctioned by the Ohio Elections Commission, which says the group has not been in compliance with the state since its inception in late 2022.
According to the Ohio Elections Commission and the Wood County Board of Elections, Perrysburg Stands Up did not submit a designation of treasurer establishing its legal status as a PAC with the Ohio Secretary of State.
Subsequently, the organization did not submit campaign finance reports to the Wood County Board of Elections detailing what money it received and how that money was spent, per the Ohio Revised Code.
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The Ohio Elections Commission recommended the PAC file a Designation of Treasurer form — which should be done before receiving any donation — and establish an independent bank account for itself.
Once those two steps are completed, the commission said the PAC can begin accepting donations.
The commission also leveled a $50 fine against the organization.
In a response to the Ohio Elections Commission complaint, Shelly Reiser, the registrant for Perrysburg Stands Up, stated on July 29:
"On July 22, 2024, I called and spoke to Philip [with the Ohio Elections Commission] in regards to the complaint and explained how I registered as a PAC and discovered the mistake happened we went to open our bank account and they requested a name registration with the Ohio Secretary of State.
"As of today, we have everything filed and John [with the Wood County Board of Elections] assisted me with the list of all reports and how to file them moving forward. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Since that letter, the organization submitted a campaign finance report that 11 Investigates is reviewing. From November 2023, the committee received $4,321 in donations and $1,437 in in-kind donations, which are not cash.
The commission also confirmed that Perrysburg Stands Up is now in compliance.