Illegal meeting between Coffman campaign and Crossroads GPS

     Article by Hannah Downey    

       Last Friday, April 11, an illegal meeting occurred between Representative Coffman, his campaign staff, and Crossroads GPS staff.  The Federal Election Commission makes it illegal for public action committees, such as Crossroads GPS, to meet with representatives of a campaign.  

The coordination was first noticed by Tony Stark, a janitor in the building rented by Coffman’s campaign.  “I clean the public areas of the building each day at around noon before moving into the offices later in the afternoon. Today, while cleaning the hallways, I noticed men from Crossroads GPS—who work in an office across the street—walking into Coffman HQ and staying there for about an hour,” Stark commented on Friday.  

Since the initial allegations, both Coffman’s campaign and Crossroads GPS have admitted to the illegal meeting and taken steps to amend for their actions.  David Ricci, Coffman’s campaign manager, set up the meeting, and has since been removed from his position.  In addition, Alejandro Ashe-Ramirez, Franco Magum, and Adriel Stokes, members of Crossroads GPS, have all been removed from the organization as a result of the collaboration.  

Both Rep. Coffman and Crossroads GPS have taken steps to apologize for the illegal actions by their representatives.  In a press release, Coffman asserted that the illegal meeting was to discuss issues important to the Crossroads GPS members.  He went on to say, “A clean and fair election is what the people of Colorado deserve, and I am going to do by best going forward to live up to the values I have fought for.”    

Similarly, Kyle Florence, Director of Crossroads GPS, said in a public statement, “I would like to assure the people of Colorado that these types of actions are unacceptable in our organization or in any organization.”  He apologized for the actions, and vowed to prove the organization’s trustworthiness to the Colorado public.  

Senator Michael Bennet, Coffman’s opponent, has yet to issue any public remarks on the scandal.