Attorney General Bill Sorrell strongly denies he has violated any campaign finance laws.
In a radio interview on WDEV’s “Mark Johnson Show” Tuesday, Sorrell at times angrily rejected claims that he violated campaign finance laws. The 18-year veteran Democrat said a complaint, which was filed by a Republican Party official, was politically motivated. Sorrell said some of the accusations had already been investigated, and he denied pursuing any cases as attorney general as a result of campaign contributions he received.
Sorrell initially dismissed calls for an investigation saying it would be a waste of taxpayer money, but eventually he welcomed the appointment of an independent counsel because he says he wants to clear the air and counter questions about his personal integrity.
Attorney Brady Toensing, vice chair of the Vermont Republican Party, claims Sorrell violated campaign finance law by allegedly coordinating an advertising buy with an outside group in 2012 and taking campaign contributions from law firms who wanted the state to pursue certain class action suits.
Gov. Peter Shumlin has said he will appoint an independent counsel to investigate the allegations.
Listen to Sorrell’s radio interview with Johnson.
Listen to Toensing’s interview with Johnson.