Dems get $50K in Walmart gift cards

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 18 (UPI) -- Democratic officials said $50,000 in gift cards donated by Walmart for the Charlotte, N.C., convention do not violate rules against corporate cash donations.

An official with the Democratic National Convention Committee said the gift cards are an in-kind contribution to be used for office supplies, as Walmart does not set up "in-kind accounts" for such items, Politico reported Wednesday.

"Charlotte in 2012 has received gift cards from Walmart as in-kind contributions," the official said. "Per the master contract with the DNCC, Charlotte in 2012 may only accept in-kinds that offer budget relief, and this gift is intended to be used exclusively for office supplies required by the contract."