BOSTON -- Rep. Robert DeLeo raised more than $266,000 last year, according to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Watch Report

But Team 5 Investigates has learned it's not always easy to track down information about the people writing the checks. The names of donors and the amounts they gave can be found easily online.

NewsCenter 5's Kelley Tuthill reported that it's not always easy to find out where they work and, ultimately, who might be influencing one of the most powerful legislators in the state.

The law requires legislators to report the occupations and employers of anyone donating $200 or more. But Team 5 reviewed DeLeo's records and found 247 donations out of 616 fail to comply with the law. That's 40 percent.

If you focus on top contributors, those who donated the maximum $500, DeLeo's failure rate swells to 47 percent.

In contrast, DeLeo's former rival, Rep. John Rogers, failed to disclose information for only 6 percent of his donors -- more in line with what watchdogs expect.

"Usually, we see 75, 80 up to 90, 95 percent compliance," said Pam Wilmot of Common Cause. "It clearly needs to be fixed."

Two years ago, Team 5 found the same problems with DeLeo's recordkeeping. Roughly 50 percent did not have the required disclosures. At the time, DeLeo told Team 5, "We've done everything we can."

His staff filed an amendment to his donor list.

But the problems continue. Team 5 confronted DeLeo at the Statehouse.

"Sir, can you explain why you still haven't released full information about your donors as required by law? Team 5 had asked you about two years ago, their occupations. It's required by law," Tuthill said.

"Everything has been released. That's all been corrected," he said.

"It's not available. We tried today to get it," Tuthill said.

"Well, if you give my office a call I'm sure we can correct it," DeLeo said.

It should be easy for DeLeo's staff to find some of the missing information, Tuthill reported. Ronald Druker is a well-known Boston developer. Robert Sheridan is the CEO of insurance company SBLI, and Jeffrey Saunders runs Boston's Lenox Hotel.

"The public should care because it is the law and it also provides them with the information they need to figure out what candidates are being supported by which interests," said Wilmot.

In a statement, the Committee for Bob DeLeo wrote: "As required, the committee sent a letter to donors asking for information. The committee is currently in the process of updating its records and will file an amendment as soon as possible. The committee continues to professionalize its clerical and compliance operations."