Food Gifts to 2 in GOP Scrutinized

Owners of a Georgia barbecue chain say they were just trying to help out two Republicans -- Jeb Bush and Saxby Chambliss -- by supplying food and catering services for 2002 campaign events.

But Democratic foes are questioning the legality of the donations to the Florida governor and the Georgia congressman, who was elected to the Senate in 2002. A search of federal and state financial reports turned up no record of the contributions.

The donations are listed in an Oct. 9 letter to Chambliss obtained by Associated Press. The author, Georgia Republican activist Briggs Goggans, writes that he and Williamson Bros. barbecue owners Larry and Danny Williamson spent about $8,000 in time, food and materials for a Chambliss event in August in Atlanta. He also details a similar event -- costing about $10,000 -- for Jeb Bush in September in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Because Chambliss was seeking a federal office, Federal Election Commission rules would apply. Bob Biersack of the FEC said an individual can volunteer up to $1,000 in food or service without the campaign having to disclose it.

Florida campaign finance law applies to Gov. Bush’s Sept. 13-14 rally, which Bush did not attend. Under Florida law, an individual can donate up to $500 in services to a candidate. The campaign must disclose the donation.

Chambliss campaign finance director Paige Perdue said the campaign will send a check to the Williamsons.

In Florida, one GOP official said the September rally was an official Bush campaign event. Another suggested a party event was mistaken for a Bush event. A review of Florida GOP donors turned up no gifts by the Williamsons in the months around the event.