FEC: Staff failed to help Sali file reports

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Story Published: Jul 8, 2009 at 9:57 AM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 8, 2009 at 11:28 AM PDT

By Associated Press

BOISE (AP) — The Federal Election Commission concluded its own staff failed to adequately help former U.S. Rep. Bill Sali file a 2008 campaign finance report, resulting in the Republican missing a deadline that prompted criticism from his Democratic rival.

In a May 1 memo, FEC staff members wrote the "repeated failure on the part of Commission staff to promptly follow-up...and help them with their software problem" led to the former House member's tardy July 2008 quarterly filing.

At the time, Sali's staff cited data file woes to explain troubles posting to the FEC Web site.

A phone call to Sali, who lost to Democrat Walt Minnick in November, wasn't returned Tuesday.

In an e-mail to supporters, however, Sali blasted media and Minnick for suggesting he and his staff were "simply incompetent."

Sali said, "They bear the real blame" for negative publicity.

Sali also wrote he's still making an "earnest examination" of a possible 2010 GOP primary run.

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