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Austin ethics commission declines to find violation in Mike Siegel campaign finance complaint
Summary
The Austin Ethics Review Commission heard a final hearing on a complaint alleging unreported contributions and coordination between Councilman Mike Siegel's campaign and ORA/Aura. After witness testimony and extended debate, commissioners did not reach the votes needed to find a code violation and closed the case without sanctions.
The Austin Ethics Review Commission on June 25, 2025 heard a final hearing on a complaint by Adam Haines alleging campaign finance violations by Councilman Mike Siegel, including unreported contributions and coordination with the group ORA/Aura. Complainant Adam Haines said his review found misreporting on Siegel’s pre-election filings and unreported campaign value provided by outside organizing and canvassing activity.
Haines opened by saying he identified “13 instances” of suspected misreporting and alleged that the campaign’s December pre‑election filing misattributed at least one $900 contribution that should have been split into two $450 entries. Haines said his supplemental filing argued that volunteers and coordinated outreach organized by ORA delivered “a thing of value” to the Siegel campaign and should have been reported as in‑kind contributions under City Code Chapter 2‑2.
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