Alberta Tories cleared of misdeeds in $430,000 Katz Group election donation

EDMONTON – Election officials have cleared Alberta Premier Alison Redford’s Progressive Conservative party and Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz of any misdeeds over a $430,000 campaign contribution from Katz and his associates.

Acting chief electoral officer Lori McKee-Jeske, in a letter to the Tory party, says there is no evidence that any of Katz’s business associates or family members contributed more than the $30,000 personal limit in last spring’s contribution.

McKee-Jeske also said there’s no evidence the Tories knowingly accepted an illegal contribution.

However one of the contributors — Katz Group chief financial officer Paul Marcaccio — was reprimanded for contributing $25,000 of that $430,000.

McKee-Jeske said Marcaccio was ineligible because he doesn’t live in Alberta.

The Tories returned the money and the electoral officer says a reprimand is suitable punishment.