Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown’s campaign accepted campaign donations from a woman who had been dead for months, records show.
And now the case has been referred to the Federal Election Commission.
Records obtained by The Post show that Carol Ann Baker of Toledo, Ohio, died in December 2023.
Yet, months later in May, the Friends of Sherrod Brown campaign committee received at least two campaign donations from the late Ohioan.
The donations amounted to $350.
Brown, a Democrat, is locked in a tight reelection fight with Republican Bernie Moreno.
Polls have Brown leading by five points, but Republicans have targeted Brown’s seat as one they hope to flip.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose conducted a preliminary investigation that produced a signed affidavit from Baker’s widower confirming her death.
He then passed the case to the FEC.
“Ohioans deserve absolute confidence in their elections,” said Huan Yi, the head of investigations at the Ohio Secretary of State’s office in his official FEC request.
“The purpose of this letter is to refer to your office potential violations of federal law for your investigation, as appropriate.”
Ohio’s investigation was completed in August 2024.
“Our office received a complaint identifying that the Friends of Sherrod Brown committee reported receiving two contributions from an individual that was confirmed to be deceased,” Dan Lushek, a spokesman for LaRose, told The Post.
“But, as that committee is a federal entity and not a filer with our office, we referred the complaint and our findings to the Federal Elections Commission for further action.”
Representatives for the FEC said they could not comment on an investigation until it is concluded.
Baker’s family did not respond to a request for comment.
Brown’s campaign also did not respond to requests for comment.
Brown’s opponents, however, have a lot to say.
“Brown’s scheme to fund his campaign with contributions from dead people isn’t just creepy, it’s illegal,” said Raegan McCarthy, press director for Bernie Moreno, Brown’s Republican challenger in the Ohio senate race this November.
“This conspiracy deserves more scrutiny. How far does it go?”