Laughter late in reporting developer donations

A Henderson County Commission candidate who nearly unseated incumbent Chuck McGrady failed to report $3,000 in donations from two developers days before the election as required by law.

Sam Laughter, the retired county building inspector who lost to McGrady by 123 votes, received $1,000 from Keith Vinson, the developer of Seven Falls Golf and River Club, on April 28, and $1,000 each from Marcia Grant and F. Jerry Grant, developers of the Glen and Highlands at Flat Rock, on April 24 and April 28.

Candidates were required to file first-quarter reports for the period that ended April 19 by April 26. The 48-hour notice reports are required for all donations of $1,000 or more between April 20 and Election Day. Candidates will report all other donations in July in their mid-year reports.

Laughter reported the $1,000 donations on Monday, six days after the election.

"That is one of the regulations that we missed," Laughter said. "Once we discovered it, we filed."

McGrady interpreted the late filing differently.

"You are talking Seven Falls and the Glen and Highlands," McGrady said. "Would the voters like to have known that before the election? You're damn right. That is relevant information and Sam Laughter covered it up."

Laughter said it's not surprising that two of the largest developers in the county contributed to his campaign. He said development is a major industry in the county and it has money to donate to campaigns.

"I would think that is usually the case," Laughter said. "Large developers always donate ... That is pretty much common practice." Laughter reported numerous donations from the development and real estate community in his first-quarter report.

Henderson County Board of Elections Supervisor Beverly Cunningham said she will notify the state about the late filing. The fine is $50 a day, but she said the state often waives the fine for a first offense.

"I'm sure they are not going to do anything," Cunningham said.