Polk School Board member Rick Nolte receives fine for violating campaign-finance law
The Florida Elections Commission determined that Polk County School Board member Rick Nolte violated a campaign-finance law during last year’s election and has imposed a $1,250 fine.
The commission held a hearing Tuesday and approved the consent order that Nolte signed on May 2. The signature of the commission's executive director was still pending as of Friday morning.
Nolte, a Mulberry resident, narrowly defeated incumbent Sarah Fortney in the Aug. 2022 election for Seat 3. He was one of 30 school board candidates statewide endorsed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the only one in Polk County.
Weeks after the election, Lakeland resident Billy Townsend — a former School Board member and a writer/activist — filed multiple complaints against Nolte with the Florida Elections Commission.
Previously New Polk School Board member Rick Nolte hasn't filed closing campaign report required by law
Townsend cited Nolte’s official campaign finance disclosures. In one, Nolte reported a cash contribution of $5,200 to his own campaign. Under Florida statutes, knowingly or willfully making or accepting a cash contribution exceeding $5,000 is a third-degree felony.
Nolte also reported a series of 10 cash donations of $100 each from supporters, a violation of a state law limiting cash contributions to $50 each.
In the order, the FEC stated that it could prove the violations “by clear and convincing evidence,” to which Nolte agreed. The statement says that Nolte “expressed a desire to enter into negotiations directed toward reaching a consent agreement.”
Nolte sent a letter to Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards weeks after the election, acknowledging an error. He wrote that he thought the limit for individual cash contributions was $100, not $50.
“Please accept my apologies for this mistake and let me know if there is anything further I should do to correct my error,” he wrote.
Funding the campaigns Outside money stirs Polk School Board race
Nolte refunded $50 to each of the 10 donors who had given $100, the order says. He wrote a $5,200 check to “cash” on May 26, 2022, and his campaign received a check the same day from Nolte’s Golf, his business, with the memo “Loan to campaign.”
Nolte then filed amended campaign finance reports.
The consent order has the same force it would if issued after a finding of probable cause, the document says. In signing, Nolte waived his right to any further procedures and his right to appeal. He is responsible for all attorney fees and other costs associated with the investigation, the order says.
Surviving negative campaign, Lisa Miller wins decisively in Polk School Board race
Richard Coates, a Tallahassee lawyer, is listed on the document as representing Nolte. Coates “has advised some of Florida’s highest elected officials, including Governors, members of the Florida Cabinet, House Speakers and Senate Presidents,” according to a biography on his firm’s website.
Nolte did not respond to a request for comment.
Nolte filed his campaign termination report more than a week past the deadline last year, prompting a warning from the Polk County Elections Supervisor's office of a possible referral to the FEC.
Nolte, a retired physical education teacher, was one of four School Board candidates in Polk County heavily promoted by the local Republican Party, though the elections were nonpartisan. One of the other candidates, Justin Sharpless, won his race.
Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk School Board member Rick Nolte fined for campaign violations
