A Massachusetts audit found that State Rep. Sam Montaño (D-Jamaica Plain) deposited $1,000 in campaign donations into her personal bank account and committed several other campaign finance violations, according to a settlement with state regulators.

The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance said State Rep. Sam Montaño violated multiple provisions of state campaign finance law after an audit of the Committee to Elect Samantha Montaño.

Investigators said two political action committees sent the campaign $1,000 in August 2025. Instead of depositing the checks into the campaign account, Montaño deposited the money into her personal bank account.

State regulators reviewed bank records and confirmed the donations went into Montaño’s personal account rather than the campaign account.

Montaño represents the 15th Suffolk District, which includes Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, and Roxbury in Boston.

She identifies as nonbinary and lists “she/they” pronouns in public materials, as NewBostonPost previously reported.

The settlement agreement between Montaño and the Office of Campaign and Political Finance was signed on March 4.

What the Massachusetts audit found

The audit reviewed the campaign’s financial activity between January 2024 and September 2025.

Investigators said the campaign failed to disclose roughly $13,000 in contributions on time and made several reporting errors in campaign filings.

The review also found that some campaign donation checks were not deposited promptly. In some cases, the campaign waited six months or more after receiving checks before depositing them.

State regulators also found the campaign accepted prohibited or excessive contributions.

The committee received $1,000 in excess donations from two political action committees in 2024, exceeding Massachusetts contribution limits.

The campaign also accepted a $250 donation from a business entity, which Massachusetts campaign finance law prohibits.

Settlement and penalties

To resolve the violations, Montaño agreed to several financial penalties and corrective actions.

She deposited $1,000 into the campaign account to replace the donations that had been placed into her personal bank account. The campaign then returned that amount to the state.

The committee must also purge $1,250 in prohibited or excess contributions.

Additionally, Montaño agreed to pay a $525 penalty for filing the campaign’s 2024 year-end report late.

She must also pay $2,250 to cover the cost of the state’s investigation. Regulators may suspend part of that payment if the campaign complies with campaign finance rules through the end of this year.

The agreement also requires the campaign to appoint a new treasurer and complete compliance training with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Why the case matters in Massachusetts

Massachusetts campaign finance law requires candidates to deposit campaign donations into official campaign accounts and maintain accurate financial records.

The law also prohibits candidates from using campaign funds for personal purposes.

State regulators concluded that Montaño and her campaign committee failed to maintain records consistent with Massachusetts campaign finance requirements.

FAQ

Which Massachusetts lawmaker was involved?

State Rep. Sam Montaño, a Democrat representing Boston’s 15th Suffolk District, settled with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

What did investigators say happened?

State regulators found that $1,000 in campaign donations from political action committees were deposited into Montaño’s personal bank account instead of the campaign account.

What penalties did Montaño face?

The campaign must return $1,250 in prohibited or excess contributions. Montaño must also pay a $525 late filing penalty and up to $2,250 to cover investigative costs.

What areas does the 15th Suffolk District include?

The district covers parts of Boston, including Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, and Roxbury.