Candidates face charges

WASHINGTON, Iowa (GTNS) ? Washington County Attorney Larry Brock reported today that criminal charges are being filed against Washington County Supervisor Candidate Jack Seward Jr., 56 of West Chester and Robert Yoder, 57, of Kalona, as well as Iowa House District 78 primary candidate Priscilla Marlar, 24, of rural Washington County.

In a press release, Brock said the charges stem from the recent primary races and are based on the May 19 and July 19 campaign disclosure statements filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.

The release said that Seward faces one count of Unlawful Receipt of a monetary or In-Kind Campaign Contribution from a Corporation, which is in violation of Iowa code. The charge is based on the alleged receipt of an in-kind campaign contribution from Custom Impressions on or about May 11 in the amount of $75.

Yoder is charged with Unlawful Transfer of Campaign Funds, a serious misdemeanor, based on the alleged transfer of campaign funds on or about May 24 in the amount of $1,400 to Iowa Political Action Committee Free County.

Marlar faces one count of Unlawful Receipt of a Monetary Campaign Contribution from a Corporation, a serious misdemeanor. The charge is based on the alleged receipt of a contribution of $300 on or about April 27 from the Olsen-Powell Memorial Chapel Inc. She is also charged with one count of Unlawful use of Campaign Funds, a serious misdemeanor, based on the alleged expenditure of campaign funds for a personal expense in the amount of $101.65 for the purchase of motor vehicle tires on or about June 27.

Additionally, a total of seven criminal charges will be filed today against the Washington-based business Custom Impressions, Inc. The charges include six counts of Unlawful Campaign Sign Placement, a serious misdemeanor, based on the alleged improper placement of campaign signs on or about May 2012 on property owned, leased or occupied by a corporation which signs did not advocate the passage or defeat of a ballot issue. The signs in question were in support of Sewart, Stan Stoops, Yoder and Marlar and two signs advocated the election of new supervisors.

Custom Impressions, Inc. also faces one count of Unlawful Campaign Contributions from a Corporation, a serious misdemeanor, based on an alleged contribution of $75 to the Elect Jack Seward 2012 committee on or about May 11.

All defendants will be cited into court for an initial appearance on a date yet to be determined. A serious misdemeanor under Iowa law is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine between $315 and $1,875.