A hospital group suspected of illegally involving its employees in last year's election campaign for Rep. Takeshi Tokuda engaged in similar practices in the two previous elections, a source in the group alleged Wednesday.
Employees of the Tokushukai group were paid to work on the Liberal Democratic Party politician's campaigns in the 2005 and 2009 Lower House elections and December's poll, the source claimed. The group was founded by his father, Torao Tokuda, 75, who was also a member of the House of Representatives.
The Public Offices Election Law forbids financially rewards for campaign staff. Consequently, employees were told to call their activities "volunteer work" if questioned by investigators, the source added.