Record keepers from seven banks were ordered by the Attorney General's Office to appear at the Citizens Clean Elections Commission office on Jan. 16 to turn over any financial records indicating a business relationship between a Valley consulting firm and Rep.-elect Doug Quelland.

Quelland, a publicly-funded candidate, is accused by Democrat rivals of failing to report a $15,000 contract for campaign services with consultant Larry Davis that they claim could cost the returning representative his ability to serve in the House of Representatives.

And Davis, owner of Intermedia Public Relations, last month implored members of the Citizens Clean Elections Commission to subpoena bank accounts that he says will prove that he and his firm continued to advise Quelland and perform duties for the Republican's 2008 campaign for office.

On Dec. 18, Davis told commissioners that he had been paid $11,000 for services from Quelland's business bank account and received below-market office rent in a strip mall owned by the Phoenix businessman.

Quelland, who narrowly defeated Democrat incumbent Jackie Thrasher to return to the Arizona House of Representatives, has maintained that he broke off a March 2007 contract with Davis within days because he was disgusted the consultant intended to publicize the incarceration of who they both apparently believed to be Thrasher's son.

The stark contrasts between the explanations of Quelland and Davis prompted the CCEC to authorize the investigation into Quelland's campaign spending.

On Dec. 31, Assistant Attorney General Tanja Shipman issued subpoenas to seven banks used by Davis' firm- JP Morgan Chase, Compass Bank, Copper Star Bank, National Bank of Arizona, Community Bank of Arizona, West Valley National Bank and Western National Bank demanding bank statements and cancelled checks relating to Doug Quelland and his Q-Land Enterprises, Inc.

As a publicly funded candidate, Quelland campaign finances restrictions are governed by the Clean Elections Act of 1998. To qualify for public funds candidates pledge not to accept substantial amounts of private contributions or to spend personal money on their political campaigns.

The act demands that candidates who exceed their primary or general election expenditure limits by greater than 10 percent be removed from office. Quelland, as a participating candidate, received $71,000 to run his primary and general elections campaigns.