Congressman Joe Kennedy III said his office is returning campaign donations raised by a controversial law firm-- joining numerous candidates and politicians, including Mayor Marty Walsh, Mass. Treasurer Deb Goldberg, and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
The Thornton Law Firm is accused of improperly funneling millions of dollars into Democratic campaigns, according to a report from the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team and the Center for Responsive Politics. According to the report, the firm donated $1.6 million from 2010 through 2014 to Democratic Party fund-raising committees and candidates, while its lawyers received 280 suspicious “bonuses” that exactly matched the contributions.
According to Kennedy’s Communications Director, Emily Kaufman, Kennedy has received approximately $50,000 since 2012. At least 21 politicians are in the process of returning more than $600,000 in campaign funds from the firm, which has given money to Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and President Obama.
Congressman Kennedy said "I decided to return that money out of an abundance of caution, and trying to make sure, from my perspective, that we're playing right down the middle in terms of campaign finance rules." Upon legal advice, Congressman Kennedy was instructed that the money should go to the U.S. Treasury.
To hear Congressman Kennedy's full interview with Boston Public Radio, click on the audio player above.
