Where There’s Secondhand Smoke…
The Libertarian Party of Marion County is asking Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi to probe Smoke Free Indy to see whether the group used public money for political purposes.
As I told you last week Smoke Free Indy posted a blog critical of the LPMC which could be argued was crossing the line from advocacy in politicking.
What adds a new twist to all this is that Smoke Free Indy advocate Tim Filler tells the Indianapolis Star that the group is an all volunteer organization that received no public money.
I’m not sure if Tim was just nervous and mispoke or if there was something else going on because Smoke Free Indy is the beneficiary of thousands of public monies.
I’ve done some checking regarding invoices and Smoke Free Indy’s activities and here’s what’s been submitted from June 2008 – June 2009 to the the Marion County Department of Public Health.
- Personnel – $38,154.
- Fringe – $9,136
- Supplies – $758.00
- Equipment – $2,034.
- Travel – $1,658.
- Paid media – $8,100.
- Other – $23,000.
- Indirect Costs – $4,000.
Personally, I’d like to know what falls under “other.” Now Smoke Free Indy may be trying to argue that since these are tobacco settlement dollars and pure “taxpayer” money their activities are okay.
Good luck with that one.
