Sherrod Brown donations from dead woman spark campaign finance inquiry

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is under the microscope of the Federal Election Commission after his reelection campaign received donations from an Ohio woman who died months earlier, according to a report.

Brown's campaign took two contributions totaling $350 in May from Carol Ann Baker of Toledo, Ohio, who died in December 2023, financial disclosures show. The donations prompted Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, to launch an inquiry, though he referred the complaint to the FEC, the New York Post reported .

"Our office received a complaint identifying that the Friends of Sherrod Brown committee reported receiving two contributions from an individual that was confirmed to be deceased," LaRose spokesman Dan Lushek said. "But, as that committee is a federal entity and not a filer with our office, we referred the complaint and our findings to the Federal Elections Commission for further action."

News of the investigation comes as Brown prepares to face off in November against Republican Bernie Moreno , a businessman. The race is one of the country's most competitive and is widely viewed as a toss-up. Moreno spokeswoman Reagan McCarthy claimed the donations totaling $350 are a "conspiracy [that] deserves more scrutiny."

"How far does it go?" McCarthy said.

LaRose's office had received a complaint from an Ohio resident who noticed the donations listing Baker's name. Her widow reportedly produced a signed affidavit that confirmed she died.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

"Our Election Integrity unit is prepared to assist you in any manner you desire," LaRose's investigative team wrote in an August letter to the FEC's office of general counsel. A man named Benjamin J. Drill made the original complaint, according to the letter.

The Washington Examiner contacted the Brown campaign. The FEC declined to comment.