Labor group calls for ethics investigation into rising GOP star Daniel Cameron.

AFL-CIO Calls for Ethics Investigation into Kentucky Attorney General’s Campaign Donations

A Kentucky labor organization, the AFL-CIO, is demanding an ethics investigation into Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron for accepting campaign donations from a substance abuse treatment organization that his office is currently investigating.

The AFL-CIO has formally requested the state Executive Branch Ethics Commission to look into the “circumstances surrounding” the donations made to Cameron, who is also the GOP nominee for governor, by Edgewater Recovery Centers. The attorney general’s office initiated an investigation against the organization last year.

Controversial Donations and Recusal

Cameron received a total of $7,600 from various executives at Edgewater, but the money has since been refunded. He claims to have recused himself from the Edgewater investigation in May, immediately after becoming aware of the contributions.

“There were preliminary conversations about hosting an event,” Cameron stated in a response to the Associated Press. “Once we were made aware of a conflict, the event was canceled. When they later made online contributions, I recused myself and the contributions were refunded.”

However, Edgewater attorney Michael Denbow alleges that Cameron actively solicited donations for his gubernatorial campaign. While a fundraiser was discussed between an Edgewater representative and Cameron’s campaign, it ultimately did not take place.

“I think Edgewater thought it was probably very prudent to make sure that they preserve their ability to work with whomever was successful in November… to help further Edgewater’s goals,” Denbow explained.

Concerns and Call for Investigation

Bill Londrigan, President of the Kentucky AFL-CIO, expressed “serious concerns” about Cameron’s compliance with campaign finance laws in a news release on Tuesday. He emphasized the importance of launching an investigation into the Edgewater donations, stating that it is “appropriate, timely, and legally important.”

This issue adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding campaign donations in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race. Just last week, Cameron requested an FBI investigation into donations made to the Kentucky Democratic Party and Governor Andy Beshear’s campaign. The governor’s campaign has already refunded over $200,000 in donations that were believed to exceed campaign finance limitations.

The Washington Examiner reached out to both Londrigan and Cameron for their comments on the donations and the AFL-CIO’s call for an investigation.

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