INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Authorities are investigating whether Indiana’s largest beer distributor improperly funneled more than $1.5 million in campaign contributions to elected officials.
The Indianapolis Star reports a special prosecutor was appointed to investigate allegations that Monarch Beverage skirted a $22,000 corporate campaign finance limit by making donations through a small limited liability company.
The allegations were made by the Indiana Beverage Alliance, a group representing Monarch’s competitors.
Monarch has denied it did anything wrong by distributing the money through Vision Concepts, which shares a CEO and address with Monarch. Monarch has unsuccessfully sought to change state law to allow them to also distribute liquor.
The House Republican Campaign Committee received more than $200,000 from Vision Concepts. The Indiana Republican Party received more than $100,000. Gov. Mike Pence received more than $84,000.
