A resource advocacy group and a mining company have joined to file a complaint with the Alaska Public Offices Commission alleging campaign fraud by groups that backed what they deem an anti-mining initiative during the 2008 state elections.

The Resource Development Council and the Pebble Partnership, a firm planning a major copper and gold mine near Iliamna, filed the complaint. They charge three organizations and Anchorage businessman Robert Gillam conspired to illegally hide Gilliam's campaign donations to the campaign in support of the proposition, called the clean water initiative.

Violations of Alaska's campaign laws are misdemeanors, although the state attorney general can bring criminal charges in certain cases. The Renewable Resources Coalition denied any wrongdoing in a statement the group issued.

Voters rejected the clean water ballot proposition in the election.

Jason Brune, RDC's executive director, said his organization does not oppose groups taking a position on initiatives and working to convince voters about their position, but that campaign financing should be properly disclosed under the law.

"We feel all groups working to influence voters on these initiatives must register with APOC and meet the requirements of Alaska law, especially when it comes to disclosing financial resources," Brune said. "The complaint speaks for itself and it is now in the hands of APOC to research and sort out."

The complaint charges that three organizations involved in the clean water initiative -- the Renewable Resources Coalition, Alaskans for Clean Water and Americans for Job Security -- did not register with APOC despite an order from the commission to do so. The complaint also alleges that substantial contributions from Gillam to support the initiative were made in ways to avoid disclosing Gillam's role in financing the campaign.

The complaint documents a substantial number of e-mails and correspondence between Gillam and officials of the three organizations, including disclosures of specific cash contributions by Gillam that RDC and the Pebble Partnership say are in violation of Alaska's campaign disclosure laws.

Gillam owns a home on Lake Clark in the vicinity of the proposed mine and has been active in efforts to block the project.

Holly Hill, executive director of the APOC, said March 23 that her office had accepted the complaint and would pursue it, but that she could not comment on the specific case while it was under investigation.

The groups named in the complaint issued a group statement. "The complaint distorts the facts and misstates the alleged evidence and we look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate that the campaign was conducted consistent with the law and free speech rights granted by the federal and state constitutions," the statement said.

"We will vigorously defend this matter and expect to prevail."

Under APOC procedures, those named in complaints may file a rebuttal, after which the commission will hold a hearing.

The clean water initiative would have imposed new restrictions on discharges from large mines in Alaska. Although it was targeted at Pebble, opponents of the initiative said it would affect mines in all parts of Alaska, including future expansions of existing mines.

Tim Bradner is a reporter for the Alaska Journal of Commerce in Anchorage. Journal reporter Margaret Bauman contributed to this article.

The Alaska Journal of Commerce Online