News Releases, Media Advisories

For Immediate Release:                                                                                     Contact:  Kelly Huff
October 6, 1998                                                                                                                        Ron Harris
                                                                                                                                                       Sharon Snyder
                                                                                                                                                       Ian Stirton

FEC RELEASES FOUR COMPLIANCE CASES

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission has made public its final action on four matters previously under review (MURs). This release contains only summary information. Closed files should be thoroughly read for details, including the FEC’s legal analysis of the case. (Please see footnote at the end of this release.) Closed MUR files are available in the Public Records Office.

1/2. MURS 4340 and 4685

RESPONDENTS: (a) Dal LaMagna (NY)

(b) Dal LaMagna for Congress, Frank Suttell, treasurer (NY)

(c) TWEEZERMAN Corporation (NY)

COMPLAINANTS: Maria Cino, (former) Executive Director, National Republican Congressional Committee (DC) [4340]

FEC Initiated (RAD) [4685]

SUBJECT: Corporate contributions; disclaimers; personal use of campaign funds ; failure to report disbursements; failure to file 48-hour report

DISPOSITION: (a-c) Conciliation Agreement: $16,000 civil penalty*

(a-b) No reason to believe* [re: personal use of campaign funds]

(b) No reason to believe* [re: failure to report disbursements]

3. MUR 4768

RESPONDENTS: Committee for Quality Orthopaedic Health Care Inc., Dr. Alan Levine, treasurer (DC)

COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (RAD)

SUBJECT: Failure to file disclosure report timely

DISPOSITION: Conciliation Agreement: $1,200 civil penalty*

4. MUR 4777

RESPONDENTS: North Side Good Government Committee, Mark S. Hart,

treasurer (PA)

COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (RAD)

SUBJECT: Failure to file disclosure report timely

DISPOSITION: Conciliation Agreement: $1,200 civil penalty*

*There are four administrative stages to the FEC enforcement process:

1. Receipt of proper complaint	                                   3. "Probable cause" stage

2. "Reason to believe" stage	                                           4. Conciliation stage

It requires the votes of at least four of the six Commissioners to take any action. The FEC can close a case at any point after reviewing a complaint. If a violation is found and conciliation cannot be reached, then the FEC can institute a civil court action against a respondent.

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