Douglas continues to hammer Symington on financial disclosure

The re-election campaign of Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) Friday criticized his Democratic challenger and House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) for releasing "pro-forma" tax forms when she issued her campaign finance filings.

Symington voluntarily released her personal financial information last Thursday, however she issued a "pro-forma" report, which means the information contained only the candidate's assets, on simulated federal documents. In an article by the Burlington Free Press, Symington is said to have opted to use "pro-forma" materials because she filed joint returns with her husband, Chuck Lacy, and she only wanted to her own information to be made public.  

An earlier statement by the Symington campaign reveals that her accountant prepared the documents.  

Thus far, the Symington camp has refused to reveal his personal financial information.  Both Douglas and Independent Anthony Pollina have issued their information, as well as their spouses.  

"Candidates who seek the public trust must be fully transparent about the financial assets, influences and conflicts that may affect their judgment as an officeholder," said the Douglas campaign in Friday's official statement. "It is equally important that candidates put the publics (sic) right to know above their own personal comfort."

The Douglas campaign has pursued the issue of personal finances throughout this week, and consistently called for Symington to release Lacy's financial information. On Monday, the re-election camp made an official call for the Democrat to issue her husband's personal financial information.  The next day, it issued a statement showing some of businesses Lacy to which Lacy was or is connected. The campaign then issued a second statement Thursday afternoon, again calling for the House Speaker to reveal Lacy's financial information.  

The Symington campaign did not immediately respond to phone calls, however it has cited family privacy as a primary reason for the nondisclosure.