Each were assessed small fines after the TEC concluded their investigations. Scott was assessed a $500 fine and Bramlett a $300 fine in August 2008. Thornton was docked $400 April 28.

According to the TEC, all three of fines have been paid.

A resolution released by the TEC states that both Scott and Bramlett “made campaign contributions and made campaign expenditures at a time when (they) did not have a campaign treasurer appointment in effect.”

Additionally, Scott and Bramlett “failed to properly disclose political contributions,” along with other charges, including not filing proper campaign finance reports.

Thornton’s issues stem from his not reporting semiannual reports on time.

The TEC states that any elected official serving office must submit campaign finance reports twice a year. The TEC report states that Thornton did not file semiannual reports for January 2007, July 2007 and January 2008.

On August 25, 2008, Thornton filed the reports, but failed to sign them.

Thornton said last week that he paid his fine “out of his own pocket.”

“I made a mistake and I acknowledge that,” he said.

Thornton also admitted that he ran into trouble after he made a political contribution from his campaign funds, but “filled out too much paperwork.”

The complaint against Thornton was issued by Thomas Curry of The Woodlands. Thornton said he contacted Curry when he learned of the investigation.

“I called him and told him ‘thank you for keeping me on my toes,’” Thornton said.

Curry confirmed to the Tribune that Thornton did place the call.

Bramlett explained that the campaign reports are often difficult to understand.

“They’re so confusing and they’re hard to fill out,” he said. “You’re trying to guess what they want.”

He added that his reports were incorrect because he mistakenly listed his Post Office box address, rather than his physical address.

“They wanted both,” he said.

Scott could not be reached for comment by press time last week.

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