Blunt campaign denies raising money at mansion

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt's campaign denied Tuesday that it has raised money at the Governor's Mansion, even though its own finance reports seem to suggest otherwise.

Reports filed Monday with the Missouri Ethics Commission show payments of $20,306.50 for "fundraiser expenses" to Missouri Mansion Preservation, the not-for-profit group that coordinates events and helps pay for decorations at the governor's official state house.

The Mansion Preservation organization frequently allows groups to host events at the house for a fee. But mansion fundraisers -- whether for the governor or a charity -- are prohibited, said Mary Pat Abele, the longtime executive director of the Mansion Preservation group.

Although the campaign finance reports categorized the payments as fundraisers, Blunt campaign spokesman John Hancock said Tuesday that the payments covered four parties for Blunt's political supporters and friends, as well as an order of mansion Christmas ornaments.

"We do not raise nor solicit funds at the mansion -- never have, never will," Hancock said.

Nor was there a requirement that the invited guests had previously contributed to Blunt, he said.