Burnadette Norris-Weeks at Alcee Hastings fundraiser in June 2015

Mystery surrounds a $1,000 campaign contribution to Congressman Alcee Hastings reported yesterday to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). The Hastings campaign listed a $1,000 contribution on June 30, 2015 by Mr. Aaron C. Weeks, Esq., a self-employed attorney from Fort Lauderdale. One problem, according to the Florida Bar, Mr. Aaron C. Weeks is not an attorney.

Aaron C. Weeks is married to Burnadette Norris-Weeks, the private contract attorney for the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office (SOE). The address used for the Hastings contribution is tied to Norris-Weeks’ non-profit organization, South Florida Women of Color Empowerment Institute. On its Facebook page, the Hastings campaign posted a photograph of the Congressman and Norris-Weeks at the June 30th fundraiser in Fort Lauderdale.

As the attorney for Broward Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes, Norris-Weeks must surely be aware of the need for accurate information on campaign financial reports. These reports allow the public to follow the money given to politicians and candidates. The accuracy of these reports helps ward off undue influence on our political system.

Did the Hastings campaign make a mistake in its report to the FEC?

Did Norris-Weeks list herself as “Mrs. Aaron C. Weeks Esq.” and the campaign forgot the “s?” REDBROWARD could not find another contribution made under the name “Mrs. Aaron C. Weeks.” Also, two local lawyers had never seen a case of a married attorney using “Esq.” in conjunction with the use of spouse’s name.

Was someone trying to hide the contribution to Hastings?

Over the last few months, REDBROWARD exposed the political and financial ties between Congressman Hastings and Norris-Weeks. The ties included payments from the Hastings campaign to Norris-Weeks. In 2012 Hastings gave Norris-Weeks money for her “Step Up To The Polls” voting event and presented her with the Mildred Hastings Tenacity Award. Additionally, Hastings has sponsored Norris-Weeks’ Women of Color Empowerment Conferences.

How much influence does Congressman Alcee Hastings have over the elections process in Broward County?

Will Hastings fix the FEC report?

Broward voters deserve answers from Congressman Alcee Hastings, Dr. Brenda Snipes and Burnadette Norris-Weeks.