News Releases, Media
Advisories
For Immediate Release: Contact: Kelly Huff
March 20, 1998 Ron Harris
Sharon Snyder
Ian Stirton
WASHINGTON-The Federal Election Commission has made public its final action on 11 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.
RESPONDENTS: Republican Party of Minnesota, Erick Kaardal, (former) treasurer (MN)
COMPLAINANTS: Rick Kahn, General Counsel, Wellstone for Senate (MN)
SUBJECT: Failure to report coordinated expendiutres; use of non-federal (state) funds; prohibited contributions
DISPOSITION: Took no action*
RESPONDENTS:
COMPLAINANTS: Ellen S. Miller, (former) Executive Director, Center for Responsive Politics (DC)
SUBJECT: Corporate contributions/contributions in the names of others
DISPOSITION: (a-z) Took no action*
RESPONDENTS:
COMPLAINANTS: Nebraska Republican Party , Andy Abboud, Executive Director (NE)
SUBJECT: Failure to report coordinated expenditures; use of non-federal (state) funds; union contributions
DISPOSITION: (a-e) Took no action*
RESPONDENTS:
COMPLAINANTS: Craig Engle, General Counsel, National Republican Senatorial Committee (DC)SUBJECT: Failure to report coordinated expenditures; excessive contributions; disclaimer; corporate contributions
DISPOSITION: (a-c) Took no action*
RESPONDENTS:
COMPLAINANTS: Craig M. Engle, General Counsel, National Republican Senatorial Committee (DC)
SUBJECT: Failure to report coordinated expenditures, disclaimers, excessive contributions; corporate contributions
DISPOSITION: (a-e) Took no action*
RESPONDENTS: (a) New Hampshire Democratic State Committee - Federal and Non-Federal Account, Gaetan Digangi, treasurer (NH)
(b) Swett for Senate, Y. Katrina Lantos Swett, treasurer (NH)
COMPLAINANTS: Craig M. Engle, General Counsel, National Republican Senatorial Committee (DC)
SUBJECT: Failure to report coordinated expenditures; disclaimer; use of non-federal (state) funds; excessive contributions
DISPOSITION: (a-b) Took no action*
RESPONDENTS: (a) National Republican Senatorial Committee, J. Stanley Huckaby, treasurer (DC)
(b) People for Boschwitz, Scott Johnson, treasurer (MN) © Arthur J. Finklestein (NY)
COMPLAINANTS: Mark Andrew, Chair, Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (MN)
SUBJECT: Independent expenditures; failure to report coordinated expenditures
DISPOSITION: (a-c) Took no action*
RESPONDENTS:
COMPLAINANTS: Chris Georgakas, Chairman, Republican Party of Minnesota (MN)
SUBJECT: Failure to report coordinated expenditures; disclaimer; prohibited contributions
DISPOSITION: (a-c) Took no action*
RESPONDENTS:
COMPLAINANTS: Don MacDonald, Deputy Finance Director, Brad Sherman for Congress (CA)
SUBJECT: Raising contributions after an election when no debts existed
DISPOSITION: (a-aa) Took no action*
RESPONDENTS:
COMPLAINANTS: Illinois Republican Party, Harold B. Smith, Chairman (IL)
SUBJECT: Failure to register committee and report joint fundraising activity
DISPOSITION: (a-g) Took no action*
RESPONDENTS: (a) St. Patrick's Catholic Church (KS)
(b) The Christian Coalition (VA)
COMPLAINANT: Diane Wahto (KS)
SUBJECT: Tax exempt organization distributing campaign literature
DISPOSITION: (a-b) Took no action*
*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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