An ethics investigation into a statewide candidate for office has ended.
Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, was accused of violating election rules in his Secretary of State campaign. The letter from the Arkansas Ethics Commission said he is “advised not to engage in the same activity again.”
Hammer received a public letter of caution and was ordered to pay a $100 fine.
The allegation concerned a video made for his Secretary of State campaign. The video had shots of the State of Arkansas seal, state-owned office furniture, and his official Senate letterhead. This violates state law, which says it's “unlawful for any public servant…to devote any time or labor during usual office hours toward the campaign of any other candidate for office.”
According to the ethics commission, Hammer “acknowledged” the rule violation during the investigation. He also signed an “Offer of Settlement” agreeing with the commission’s finding.
In an email to Little Rock Public Radio, Hammer said “I acknowledged the commission's letter and paid the fine immediately.”
The letter was signed by Jill Rogers Barham, interim director of the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
Hammer will face off against Democrat Kelly Grappe and Libertarian Michael Pakko in the Secretary of State's race in November.
