The campaign of St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley (left) filed a formal complaint Monday with the Missouri Ethics Commission against Republican rival Bill Corrigan, in connection with a disputed $10,000 donation.

As the Beacon reported last week, the Corrigan donation orginally was listed as coming from retired businessman Frank Bick of Ladue on Nov. 2. However, no 48-hour report was filed with the Ethics Commission, which is required for contributions over $5,000.

The Corrigan campaign amended his Jan. 15 report last week so that the donation was split into two $5,000 donations -- one from Bick, and the other from his wife, Patricia Bick -- so no 48-hour report was needed.

Corrigan spokeswoman Susan Ryan said last week that the initial filing of the $10,000 had been inaccurately recorded, and that the $10,000 was always intended to be split between the Bicks.

The Dooley campaign questions that explanation, noting in its formal complaint that commission records show no other political donation from Patricia Bick, at least since 2002.

The Dooley complaint was not unexpected, especially since Corrigan and his allies have repeatedly questioned Dooley's campaign ethics and those of his top allies, including campaign manager John Temporiti.

Corrigan held a news conference last fall in which he outlined a code of ethics he said he would embrace should he become county executive, although Corrigan said at the time that he was not accusing Dooley of any illegal behavior. Corrigan did take issue with a meeting that Dooley held at a private law office with his department heads, and the fact that many of the county executive's top appointees have donated to his re-election campaign.