Cottonwood man files complaint against circuit judge candidate

A Cottonwood man has filed a formal complaint with the Alabama Attorney General, asking for an investigation into what may be a $300 campaign finance violation involving a Dothan corporation and a candidate for circuit judge.

Irby Jordan of Cottonwood filed the complaint Thursday. At issue is the 45-day campaign report of District Judge Brad Mendheim in which Mendheim reported in-kind contributions totaling $800 between April 1 and April 8 from Media, Inc. Mendheim reported the use of a campaign truck valued at $500 and later the donation of sign materials valued at $300. Section 10-2A-70.1 of the Code of Alabama states that it is unlawful for a corporation to donate more than $500 either directly or in services to a candidate in an election cycle.

Media, Inc., owner Wallace Cooley said the issue resulted from a miscommunication about the corporation donating the sign material. Cooley also owns Fordham, LLC, a general contracting company. Media, Inc., he said, is a drywall company. Cooley said the sign material donation — which was lumber for Mendheim’s campaign signs — should have been listed as a donation from Fordham, LLC.

“Media, Inc., doesn’t even own lumber to donate. We do not use lumber in that business,” said Cooley, husband of Houston County Probate Judge Luke Cooley.

Mendheim said he remembers filling out the form on his 45-day report, recalling that the use of the truck and the lumber came from Cooley and that he assumed the donation was from the same single business.

“He never specifically mentioned and I never specifically asked,” Mendheim said. “I’ll be happy to file an amended report if necessary.”

A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office confirmed Friday that the complaint had been received and had been forwarded to the investigations division.

The possible violation comes on the heels of a Dothan Eagle story Wednesday that reported the Secretary of State’s office received the 45-day report of Deborah Seagle, Mendheim’s opponent, a month late. Late filings are also a violation of election law.

Her husband, Dothan City Commissioner Keith Seagle, said the campaign simply filled out the information on the wrong form and — after noticing the report had not been posted on the Secretary of State Web site, contacted the office to find out the problem. Seagle said the campaign then immediately corrected the mistake and filed the correct form.

Jordan said he filed the report against Mendheim in response to what he felt was unfair media coverage toward Mrs. Seagle by the Dothan Eagle.

“I just want to keep the playing field level,” Jordan said.

“I'm not against anyone — any person — giving whatever they want to. But when a company gives it, that’s a different thing,” he added.

Jordan has appeared in front of Mendheim in both civil and criminal matters. In 2003, Mendheim dismissed a first-degree theft by deception charge for insufficient probable cause, but allowed the court clerk to send the case on to the grand jury at the request of the district attorney. He was indicted and the case was dismissed in 2005. He was represented by Deborah Seagle.

In 2006, Mendheim issued a judgement of $5,667 against Jordan and Big J Tire and Service Center, a defendant in a civil case.