Southampton - On October 14, former Southampton Town Supervisor Linda Kabot hand-delivered a letter to the office of the current Supervisor to advise that her campaign fund "Anna Throne-Holst for Supervisor" appears to be in violation of New York State Election Law for over-the-limit contributions to the tune of $10,118.95 for the 2011 and 2009 election cycles.

Kabot is presently waging a Write-In Campaign against Throne-Holst for the General Election to be held on November 8.

Attached to Kabot's letter was the 2011 Contribution Limit Index from the Suffolk County Board of Elections, which clearly shows that the maximum an individual or corporation can donate in the aggregate for an individual candidate committee is $1,880.05 for the 2011 General Election Cycle. The 2009 Contribution Limit was $1896.90. Corporations are further limited to a total of $5,000 in the aggregate annually for all political donations to candidates and parties cumulatively.

"I urge you to immediately take corrective action so as to comply with the law," wrote Kabot. "I strongly feel it is dishonest to retain this overage in your campaign fund and expend such unlawful monies to further your re-election."

Kabot continued, "I have mentioned this concern to a Deputy Commissioner at the Suffolk County Board of Elections, and he advised me that a formal complaint should be made to the New York State Board of Elections and copied to the Commissioners of the County Board of Elections. At this time, I have opted to correspond directly to you in hopes that you will remedy the matter without having to endure enforcement action proceedings from the State of New York's Campaign Finance Investigations Unit."
New York State Election Law Section 14-126 specifies that "Any person who knowingly and willfully contributes, accepts or aids or participates in the acceptance of a contribution in an amount exceeding an applicable maximum specified in this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

Kabot further noted in her letter that "To cure the over-the-limit contributions, normally candidates refund the difference back to the donor."

Also on October 14, Kabot spoke during the Special Town Board Meeting concerning the 2012 Budget Hearings and also expressed concern regarding statements that have been repeatedly made by Supervisor Throne-Holst and Councilwoman Fleming about "a blizzard of last minute resolutions last year" and alleged political appointments to staff positions. Kabot noted that a prior resolution was twice offered by Councilwoman Bridget Fleming in January 2011 and March 2011 to appoint Jeffrey Seeman of East Quogue to the position of Environmental Facilities Director/Waste Management Coordinator, which resolutions were subsequently withdrawn due to lack of majority board support. Kabot pointed out in her public remarks that Jeffrey Seeman is the treasurer for the "Anna Throne-Holst for Supervisor" campaign fund. A certified copy of Kabot's letter to Throne-Holst was also sent to Jeffrey Seeman on October 14 and a facsimile sent to the Suffolk County Board of Elections.