Larry Ross, chair of the Arkansas Ethics Commission, has a straightforward excuse for the illegal contribution given in his name to a Court of Appeal’s Judge. Ross says he signed the check, but the contribution was from his wife. 

Arkansas bars members of the Ethics Commission from making political contributions to state and local candidates. 

Ross claims that he included a note with the check stating that the contribution was only from his wife. Ross claims that the note was “somehow mishandled.” In 2004, prior to being selected to the Ethics Commission, Ross made a contribution to the same Judge’s campagn. Supposedly, this time when he signed the check the money came from him.

“Mishandled” is appropriate. Unfortunately, it looks like Ross is the guilty party. Next time he needs to have his wife sign the check.