Democratic gubernatorial challenger Gary King says he's returning $30,400 in contributions from companies affiliated with a wealthy financier who is a convicted sex offender in Florida.
King said in a statement Tuesday his campaign fundraising staff missed the connection between the contributions and Jeffrey Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 in Florida to a charge of soliciting prostitution. Epstein served just over a year in jail.
King's campaign received $30,400 contributions from five companies with a Virgin Islands address listed by Epstein on a New York sex offender registry, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.
Epstein owns a ranch near Stanley and bought the land from King's family two decades ago.
In 2006, King and other New Mexico candidates gave to charities or returned Epstein contributions.
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