Donovan Campaign Reports $145,177 In Debt And Obligations

Former House Speaker Chris Donovan withdrew from the 5th District congressional race nearly six months ago, but the Meriden Democrat still owes $145,177 in debt and obligations, according to his most recent campaign finance filing.

That number is about $4,000 less than he reported owing in October.

Most of Donovan’s outstanding debt — $113,623 — is money owed to two law firms: Zeedles, Needle & Cooper in Bridgeport and Day Pitney. The remaining $31,554 in unpaid obligations is for bills from companies like AT&T and Connecticut Light &Power.

The Donovan campaign did work with Day Pitney last summer when it commissioned former U.S. Attorney Stanley Twardy, who works for Day Pitney, to conduct a probe of its campaign finances. The probe came after the FBI launched its own investigation.

Twardy released a report in July that said he could find no evidence that Donovan had knowledge of illegal contributions to his campaign, but many say the finance matter hurt Donovan’s campaign.

Donovan, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, lost the 5th District Democratic primary to Elizabeth Esty, of Cheshire, in August. He remained on the ballot as the endorsed candidate of the Working Families Party until late August when he withdrew his candidacy.

Donovan has denied participation in or knowledge of a campaign finance conspiracy. However, two of his campaign staffers have been arrested as a result of the FBI investigation. Both have pleaded not guilty to related charges brought against them.

Donovan’s latest campaign finance report, which was filed with the Federal Election Commission Tuesday, takes into account contributions and spending that occurred between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. The report says Donovan received $3,184 in contributions during that time even though he had already dropped out of the race. It also says Donovan spent $10,006 and ended 2012 with $964 on hand.