JOHNSTON, Iowa — The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board unanimously voted Tuesday evening to reprimand three of the candidates running for Johnston School Board for allegedly violating a law that prohibits campaign signs on property owned or leased by a corporation. 

On October 17, a citizen complaint alleged that the ACCO Unlimited Corporation is in violation of Iowa Code section 68A.406. The corporation allegedly displayed candidate campaign signs for Alicia Penner, Patrick Green, and Connor Christenson on corporate property.

The complaint was filed by Sara Hayden Parris, the president and founder of Annie’s Foundation, an Iowa nonprofit providing free access to books that have been challenged or banned. 

The board initially met on Monday, October 27 to open an investigation into the complaint. The board met again on Tuesday where they unanimously voted to reprimand Alicia Penner, Patrick Green, and Connor Christenson, along with the president of ACCO, Cris Christenson.

According to the board, the signs were removed Tuesday afternoon, but board members were unimpressed by the defiance of the law.

“There should be at least a reprimand for having defied the board’s attorneys when the board’s attorneys contacted them and the law was explained and they refused,” said Board Chair James Albert. “I’m also concerned that we didn’t hear a thing from these three candidates. And if we don’t do something, what are the chances that the signs will be right back up there tomorrow.” 

A reprimand will be delivered to the candidates and business owner on Wednesday.

You can read the full complaint below: