Conservative Group Tries To Uncover Identity Of Anonymous Donor Covering Obama Expenses

Americans for Prosperity files a Right to Know request to uncover the identity of the anonymous donor covering expenses for Obama’s New Hampshire visit.

DURHAM, New Hampshire — After the town of Durham raised concerns last week over the $20,000-$30,000 in overtime costs associated with President Barack Obama’s scheduled campaign stop here this afternoon, an anonymous donor stepped forward to cover the town’s expenses, the Boston Globe reported today.

The conservative group Americans for Prosperity is trying to uncover the identity of the donor with a just-filed Right to Know request — New Hampshire’s version of Freedom of Information requests.

The group raises concerns that the anonymous donation amounts to an in-kind contribution to the Obama campaign, mitigating negative headlines over the cost of Obama’s visit to the town.

“The people of Durham have a right to know the identity of this anonymous donor and what his or her intentions are in giving this significant sum of money,” Corey R. Lewandowski, the state director of Americans for Prosperity-New Hampshire, said in a statement. “The donor may have business pending before the town or may be trying to skirt FEC law, which precludes this sort of donation.”

A spokesperson for the Obama campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

4. Update: Here is the letter from the Obama campaign denying Durham’s request for payment of costs incurred from President Obama’s campaign stop: