FEC v. Weinsten
Summary
Background
On June 8, 1979, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a consent judgment in a suit which the FEC had filed against Milton Weinsten and the Winfield Manufacturing Company on March 2, 1978.
In its suit, the Commission alleged that Milton Weinsten, President of Winfield Manufacturing (a government contractor), used corporate funds to reimburse employees of Winfield Manufacturing Company for contributions they made to the 1976 Presidential primary campaign of Milton Shapp.
The consent decree stated that use of corporate funds in this manner had violated the Act's prohibitions against:
- The use of corporate funds in connection with Federal elections (2 U.S.C. §441b);
- Contributions by government contractors (2 U.S.C. §441c); and
- Contributions made in the name of another (2 U.S.C. §441f).
Decision
The court levied a civil penalty of $5,000, enjoined the defendants from future violation of the Act, and retained jurisdiction over the case for three years to ensure compliance with the provisions of the decree.
Source: FEC Record — September 1979, p. 5; FEC v. Weinsten, 462 F. Supp. 243 (S.D.N.Y. 1978).