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Nantkes will pay fine for late report

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BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Mar 01, 2007 - 11:55:38 pm CST

Lincoln Sen. Danielle Nantkes will pay $750 in late filing fees for waiting six weeks to file a final campaign statement with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

Nantkes filed the report mid-afternoon Thursday, said Frank Daley, executive director of the commission.

It was due Jan. 16.

Story Photo
Danielle Nantkes

“I turned it in today, it was just a mistake,” Nantkes said. “It was my responsibility and we’ll take care of it and pay the fine.”

All other candidates for the Legislature filed final campaign statements on time, according to the Accountability and Disclosure Web site.

Nantkes, who serves District 46, has been in the public eye since receiving a ticket Feb. 14 for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. She is serving her first term in the Nebraska Legislature.

Daley said early Thursday afternoon Nantkes had not yet filed the report.

She filed it several hours later.

The commission had mailed letters to her campaign Jan. 31 and Feb. 14, he said, reminding her of the filing deadline and warning her about the fine. The first letter went to her residence. In February, two letters were mailed to her residence and one to her place of business.

Late filings are subject to a $25 a day fine, which can accumulate up to $750. The fine is owed after the report is turned in, Daley said.

Nantkes on Feb. 20 paid a $725 fine for late filings of two reports due during the general campaign. The first campaign statement was due Oct. 10 and filed Oct. 18, resulting in $200 in late fees. The second statement was due Oct. 30 and filed Nov. 20, adding a $525 fine.

Both of her primary campaign statements were filed on time.

Daley said that in every election about a half-dozen candidates file their post-election report late.

Nantkes had listed Dan Nolte as her treasurer on all of her campaign statements. But when contacted, Nolte said he had not served as her treasurer. She had asked him over a year ago, he said, but he had not signed on to her campaign because he decided to run for Lancaster County clerk.

“We had a three-minute conversation and I never heard another word,” he said. “I haven’t talked to her since last summer.”

Nantkes said Thursday Nolte was her treasurer, but she had handled the day-to-day aspects of her campaign.

Jack Gould, director of Common Cause Nebraska, a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that works to hold elected leaders accountable to the public interest, said the final campaign report is important for those monitoring a candidate’s fundraising and spending.

It shows a total picture of the campaign, including late contributions, and can help determine if a campaign was conducted correctly.

“It’s the law,” Gould said, “and it’s the responsibility of everyone to do everything on time.”

Reach JoAnne Young at 473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com.


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airedale wrote on March 2, 2007 12:15 am:
" Nantkes just can't seem to stay on track. "

 Nick wrote on March 2, 2007 5:50 am:
" Wow. What an irresponsible person. Who voted for her? Shame on you. First of all this woman has proven over the last 10+ years (from her driving - or should I say drunk driving - record) that she should not be allowed to drive. She lies to reporters about calling them back. She isn't responsible enough to prove the legitimacy of her campaign. I'm afraid she needs to step down, and lets find someone who can follow the rules, like the rest of us have to do. "

 more questions wrote on March 2, 2007 8:20 am:
" This certainly raises more questions about her competence to hold office. She also needs to come forward and fully disclose the full details of the night she hit the snowplow. Where was she just prior to the accident? Who was she drinking with? Was she drinking with a lobbiest or campaign contributor? Who paid for the drinks? Was there anyone else in the car with her? "

 David wrote on March 2, 2007 8:51 am:
" Wow. You'd think she was promoting causes such as killing all first-born children from some people's reactions. "

 Get us Carol Brown wrote on March 2, 2007 9:40 am:
" where's Carol Brown when you need her... "

 Somebody get a Lawyer! Never mind. wrote on March 2, 2007 10:41 am:
" Accountability and Disclosure laws level the playing field for candidates in the area of openness AND fairness. Shame on those of you who choose to minimize this most recent indiscretion. You'd think that with all the lawyers in Nantkes' confidence and her place of work prior to the legislature, this would be a "minimum daily requirement," the most basic of professional expectations. Between this and the intoxication irresponsibilities, the sooner she is voted out of office the better. I'll bet Carol Brown knows how to balance a checkbook, and it's too bad Brown's party didn't have the foresight to back (let alone not smear) her. "

 ricky wrote on March 2, 2007 10:44 am:
" We got a real winner in the Unicameral with this gal! But what I am waiting for from the NADC is the report on Nebraska Board of Regent candidate Carol Russells' filings. Former Speaker Kermit Brashear claimed she mis-reported (not a reliable source, I know). Daley said they will audit Russell, but where is it? Ricky From Omaha "

 One more wrote on March 2, 2007 11:07 am:
" ..reason for her to resign. Boo to you 'senator' nantkes. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on March 2, 2007 11:15 am:
" She seems to have a pattern of contempt for the law. It's not uncommon: legislators pass laws that are meant to constrain the rest of us, not themselves. "

 Buddha wrote on March 2, 2007 11:19 am:
" Please people, read the article again. There are at least a half a dozen who file late. This must mean that Nantkes isn't the only one. She's only getting this much attention because YOU people want to make a soap opera out of her life! Sheesh, and we wonder why we have a hard time getting people to run for the various offices in this state????? "

 Actually Buddha... wrote on March 2, 2007 12:07 pm:
" You should read the article again because while it does say that "Daley said that in every election about a half-dozen candidates file their post-election report late." It also states that "All other candidates for the Legislature filed final campaign statements on time" so the focus is on Nantkes because she's the only one who didn't, not because of her other activities. "

 Truth Teller wrote on March 2, 2007 1:46 pm:
" Actually, Miss Nantkes WAS the only one to not file her post-election report. I've checked the Accountability & Disclosure report every day since Jan. 16. All state senators had their report posted online prior to Jan. 16. Nantkes' is STILL not posted. Sad commentary... "

 Saline Co. Dude wrote on March 2, 2007 1:47 pm:
" She should resign and save her Democratic Party the embarassment of having to ask for her resignation! "

 Sid wrote on March 2, 2007 2:02 pm:
" I think the most interesting thing about this story is that she used Dan Nolte as Treasurer even though he did not know he was being used. Why would she do this? I would be very upset if I were Dan. "

 Rick Tast wrote on March 2, 2007 3:16 pm:
" Seriously Leave her alone. "Daley said that in every election about a half-dozen candidates file their post-election report late." Where is the story about the other 5 people then. It is not printed because 1.) they are not 29, and 2.) they did not get a DUI recently. If anything, this makes her more appealing as a senator. It shows me she is just like you and me, a human being who makes mistakes from time to time. This is who I want representing me, not some high and mighty carrer politician who never as so much jaywalked and has no idea what the average person does in life. P.S. I am Republican. "

 SL wrote on March 2, 2007 5:22 pm:
" I'm proud to say that I voted for Carol Brown. I still have to wonder how she didn't win the election... too many people making uneducated votes? "

 Mr. Big wrote on March 2, 2007 5:59 pm:
" This comes down to a question of intelligence. Me thinks Miss Danielle is lacking in the 'common sense' category. "

 flabbergasted wrote on March 2, 2007 6:09 pm:
" This woman just can't seem to tell the truth. This latest appears to be a flat out lie. Just like Nixon it's less the infraction than the actions that follow. Her responses are not just an indication of her character but of how lowly she regards the intelligence of her constituents. "

 Keep it up wrote on March 2, 2007 6:59 pm:
" Just keep telling her how great she is and that these things are no big deal. That will reinforce her behavior, and she'll go up in flames before you know it. Seen it happen a number of times to people elected to office. There was a young senator just a few years ago who had a big ego and a standing appointment with a 3-martini lunch. He ended up in a number of legal flaps before his career ended abruptly. If you like her and care about her, tell her to get her act together. "

 curious wrote on March 2, 2007 9:00 pm:
" What district elected this woman? Was she the only choice? Why name someone who isn't your treasurer on campaign material? Did people think they were voting for a Nolte clone? Are the voters in her district embarrassed yet? How much more of this gal do we as Nebraskans have to put up with before she confesses all and steps down? Is this a trend of young people in my political party? Will she ever address these issues, or is she above the law? "

 Roger wrote on March 2, 2007 9:06 pm:
" Wow, what a responsible Senator, glad she is representing my district, NOT! And to whoever said her actions make him like her more because that makes her "real", that is very sad. People need to take some sort of intelligence test before being allowed to vote! "

 And again... wrote on March 3, 2007 6:41 am:
" And again, she fails us!! Time to get her outta there! She can't even take care of herself, how can we expect to to take care of matters that she was elected for? "

 SAT wrote on March 3, 2007 8:26 am:
" So, which account is the fine paid from? I'd hate for my hard earned campaign contribution to be paying for someone's arrogance and irresponsibility. Just another government waste... "

 curious wrote on March 3, 2007 8:54 am:
" I'm wondering why Dan Nolte didn't say something to her when his name appeared on all her campaign literature as his treasurer. Filing late returns is unacceptable. She needs to adhere to the same standards as other candidates. Hopefully, Nantkes will get her act together and become a productive member of the Legislature, however, I believe her credibility is severly damaged and she'll have to work really hard to regain the respect of her colleagues and constituents. I do believe that it is unfair to lump all senators into the same category as Nantkes and assume they are all breaking the rules and laws. Obviously that's a statement by someone who really doesn't know any of them and probably has never run for elective office. "

 Billy Boy wrote on March 3, 2007 10:52 am:
" To the supporters,,, OK others filed late also. The concern is the quickly developing patern of irresponsibility. Not just the late file, and not just the DUI, and not just the treasurer questions, its the pattern the she herself has developed. Its a huge red flag! "

 Jodi wrote on March 3, 2007 1:38 pm:
" I don't like the people blaming this on Ms. Nantkes being a young woman. Plenty of young women ARE responsible and don't break laws. The less-than-ideal behavior of Ms. Nantkes is her own fault, and not because of her youth or gender. "

 Dick wrote on March 3, 2007 2:47 pm:
" God forbid people in public office make mistakes. All of you need to get off of your high horses and relax a little bit. You are not perfect. No one is, just because someone makes a couple of bad choices doesn't make them a poor leader. Look at what Bush did and the "moral majority" still elected him. "

 Tom Issaquah wrote on March 3, 2007 9:54 pm:
" Can you say, Under the Microscope"? Come on now. Concentrate!!!! "

 she just got caught wrote on March 3, 2007 11:31 pm:
" How many other elected officials drink and drive and are not caught? How many are physically or emotionally abusive with someone they love, but no one know about it? How many have taken something from their work place, a store, etc. and gotten away with it? There are lots of unacceptable acts performed by people we either elect or work with or see everyday, but we just don't know who they are. "

 Roger wrote on March 4, 2007 9:14 am:
" wow again what a deal "

 Mrs. Johnson wrote on March 4, 2007 11:34 am:
" Can we all say, sloppy! "

 got2go wrote on March 4, 2007 6:56 pm:
" This "chick" needs a boot in the rear end. We don't need freshman senators like her. "

 Jodi wrote on March 4, 2007 11:02 pm:
" In my play book is 3 strikes and your out. late file fees...another set of late file fees...hitting a snow plow and DUI refusing to breath test and talking with reporters...Dan Nolte really not your treasurer when you say he is...No accoutablility. I believe here we had misinformed voters and a young voting turn out. Resign Danielle and make District 46 proud. "

 51% wrote on July 19, 2007 12:10 am:
" This is tabloid fodder, not real journalism. Where's the rest of the "story"? Ms.Nantkes is an enlightened, legally educated champion for her district. Guess what? This type of person isn't exactly voted "most popular" in Nebraska's stodgy all-white-male-conservatives-in-charge state. I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Foley was involved as he wants to get rid of anybody who is even suspected as being against mandated pregnancy, and here was another chance to chip at her veneer. And shame on the democratic party for letting a stellar rising star as this "flail in the wind" because of lack of mentoring and accounting assistance. Leave her alone. Danielle has more competence in her left foot than any rigid minded slave with a book-keeping mentality. "

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