The campaign of Colorado GOP gubernatorial candidate Victor Marx is facing scrutiny after a new investigation uncovered questionable practices concerning campaign finance regulations.

Marx, who has made headlines for his controversial past, claims to have found a loophole to evade individual contribution limits by encouraging supporters to purchase campaign merchandise through a third-party store.

These merchandise packages range up to $1,299 and include perks like personal meetings with the candidate. However, a recent investigation by 9News revealed a deeper, murkier financial relationship between Marx and the anonymous company behind the merchandise sales.

The investigation traced donations made through this merchandise store back to a company named Not Shook, LLC, owned by Marx. While Marx appeared to operate under the guise of a third-party seller, the connection raises questions about his compliance with campaign finance laws.

Emails from the merchandise site now include a disclaimer noting they are funded by Not Shook, LLC. However, this company is not registered in Colorado and instead appears to be based in Wyoming, a state that allows business owners to maintain anonymity.

The situation became even more concerning when an obscure campaign finance filing revealed that Not Shook, LLC had donated $5,000 to Marx’s campaign as a “Logo Licensing Fee.” Under state law, any LLC contributing to a campaign must disclose its owner, which in this case is Marx himself.

In a livestream event on July 30, Marx touted the merchandise avenue for raising campaign funds, asserting, “If they order merchandise, there’s no limit on that. They can order as much as they want. That will really help us.”

Critics, including campaign finance attorney Mario Nicolais, were quick to label this arrangement as “patently illegal,” raising red flags about the ethics of Marx’s fundraising approach.

As the investigation deepens, questions remain unanswered. When pressed by 9News for further details about the financial links and whether Marx profits from these donations, campaign attorney Christopher Murray’s responses were vague.

Murray commented on a conservative radio show, explaining that the funds were not actually directed to the campaign. He indicated that a third party had been “authorized” to sell the merchandise but provided no clarity on the actual flow of funds.

Despite touting the merchandise operation as a significant success, bringing in nearly $200,000, Marx’s campaign appears to be downplaying criticisms.

The notion of using merchandise to bypass contribution limits is not entirely new, but Marx’s situation poses fresh challenges about transparency and accountability in campaign financing.

As the only candidate from the GOP in the race, Marx’s tactics could potentially set a controversial precedent in Colorado politics, particularly if he is allowed to continue without consequences.

The complexities of campaign finance laws in Colorado aim to ensure fairness and integrity, raising the stakes for candidates who attempt to exploit gaps in these regulations.

Furthermore, the unregistered status of Not Shook, LLC, coupled with Marx’s direct ownership, intensifies the ethical implications of his fundraising strategies.

The lack of responses from Marx’s campaign on these allegations only adds to the mounting pressure as the election cycle heats up and scrutiny intensifies.

This unfolding drama reminds voters of the critical need for transparency in political campaigns, particularly as they weigh their choices in the upcoming gubernatorial election.

As investigations continue and public interest grows, it remains to be seen how this will impact Marx’s campaign and the broader narrative of campaign finance practices in Colorado.