SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic gubernatorial challenger Gary King says he's returning more than $30,000 in contributions from companies affiliated with a wealthy financier who is a convicted sex offender in Florida.
King said in a statement Tuesday his campaign fundraising staff missed the connection between the contributions and Jeffrey Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 in Florida to a charge of soliciting prostitution. Epstein served just over a year in jail.
King's campaign received $35,600 contributions from six companies with a Virgin Islands address listed by Epstein on a New York sex offender registry.
The Santa Fe New Mexican (http://bit.ly/ZfR6lV) first reported the contribution link to Epstein, who owns a ranch near Stanley and bought the land from King's family two decades ago.
