State Investigates Lawrence Mayor's Fund Raising

LAWRENCE (AP) - State campaign finance officials have subpoenaed billing records from several Lawrence-area restaurants as part of an investigation into the fund raising of Mayor William Lantigua.

The Office of Campaign and Political Finance would not confirm that they have opened an investigation beyond a routine audit of Lantigua and five rivals who ran for mayor in 2009, but several restaurant owners confirmed to The Boston Globe that they have received subpoenas for records.

The Globe reported that Lantigua has held at least 15 campaign events at restaurants and clubs in the past three years for which he reported no expenses for food, music, or the hall.

State campaign finance law requires candidates to detail all donations, either cash or services.

Lantigua did not respond to the newspaper's request for comment.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)