TOWN OF NEWBURGH – Democratic supervisor candidate Stephen Krasner has still not answered questions about whether he properly reported free campaign services provided by Kwill.io LLC, a political services company linked to Orange County Legislator Stephen Hunter and owned by his partner, Joshua Huckabee.
Krasner’s campaign paid nothing for website development and hosting and campaign-mailer design assistance provided by Huckabee. Krasner previously said his campaign treasurer was reviewing how the services should be disclosed. He has not answered questions for nearly two weeks about their fair market value or whether his campaign will amend its financial filings.
Hunter, a Democrat representing the Town of Newburgh, was previously listed as a Kwill co-founder. Huckabee is now listed as the company’s owner. The two also co-own a Town of Newburgh residence listed as the address for Kwill and Every Ballot Inc., the nonprofit behind the Newburgh Votes voter-information website.
Hunter has denied having an ownership interest or formal role in Every Ballot or Newburgh Votes. Huckabee has said Hunter is not involved in Kwill.
Last week, a former FBI agent told Mid-Hudson News that the ties among Kwill and Every Ballot raise questions about potential campaign-finance and tax-law violations, which could attract the attention of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Respected state election law attorney Adam Fusco said in-kind, or nonmonetary, contributions must be reported to the Board of Elections at fair market value.
“If the business charges a particular fee for its services, such as designing a website or social media page, but waives that fee because of a relationship with a particular candidate, the candidate must still report the fair market value of that service to the Board of Elections,” said Fusco, who typically represents Republican clients, including elected officials throughout Orange County.
Campaign finance reports can be amended, Fusco said, but changes made after the fact may not excuse violations of the state’s campaign finance laws or prevent significant civil fines.
Krasner has not confirmed whether the services were reported as in-kind contributions or whether amendments are planned.
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