MUR #6447

RESPONDENTS: Steele for Maryland, Inc.; Cook, Belinda; Ellington, Paul; Michael for Maryland Committee; Steele, Michael; Turner, Monica

COMPLAINANT:

SUBJECT: Contributions-Excessive; Other; Reporting; Soft Money

DISPOSITION: The Commission decided by a vote of 5-0 to take the following actions in MUR 6447:1.Accept the conciliation agreement with Steele for Maryland, Inc. and Michael Steele, in his official capacity as treasurer, and Michael Steele for Maryland and Belinda Cook, in her official capacity as treasurer, as recommended in the General Counsel's Memorandum dated August 4, 2011.2.Take no action as to Michael Steele, in his individual capacity.3.Take no action as to Paul Ellington.4.Take no action as to Belinda Cook, in her individual capacity.5.Approve the appropriate letters. 6.Close the file.
The Commission decided by a vote of 5-1 to take the following actions in MUR 6447:1. Accept the conciliation agreement as recommended in the Pre-Probable Cause Conciliation Memorandum dated January 12, 2011.2. Approve the appropriate letter.3. Close the file as to Monica Turner.
The Commission decided by a vote of 5-0 to direct the Commission Secretary to include findings 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 and 12 contained in the First General Counsel's Report dated October 7, 2010, and the following revised findings in the certification of the December 14, 2010, vote for Pre-MUR 498: 3. Find reason to believe that Steele for Maryland, Inc., and Elisabeth S. Rubin, in her official capacity as Treasurer, knowingly and willfully violated 2 U.S.C. § 441a(f) and 11 C.F.R. §110.4(c)(2),and violated 2 U.S.C. §§ 434(b), 441a(f), 441i(e)(1)(A) and 11 C.F.R.§110.3(d). 6. Take no action at this time that Michael Steele violated 2 U.S.C. §§ 441a(f), 434(b), 441i(e)(1)(A) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.3(d). 9. Approve the Steele for Maryland Factual and Legal Analysis informally circulated on December 8, 2010, and make appropriate conforming changes to the Factual and Legal Analyses for Monica Turner and Michael for Maryland.10. Enter into conciliation with Monica Turner, Steele for Maryland, Inc., and Elisabeth S. Rubin, in her official capacity as Treasurer, and Michael for Maryland and Belinda Cook, in her official capacity as Treasurer prior to a finding of probable cause to believe.11. Approve the Conciliation Agreements subject to making the Appropriate conforming changes as set forth in the Steele for Maryland Factual and Legal Analysis informally circulated on December 8, 2010.
The Commission failed on a vote of 2-3 to:a. Find reason to believe that Michael Steele violated 2 U.S.C. §§ 441a(f) and 434(b). b. Authorize an investigation.
The Commission decided by a vote of 5-0 to:a. Open a MUR.b. Find reason to believe that Monica Turner violated 2 U.S.C. §§ 441a(a)(1)(A) and 441g.c. Find reason to believe that Steele for Maryland, Inc. and Elisabeth S. Rubin, in her official capacity as Treasurer, knowingly and willfully violated 2 U.S.C. § 441a(f) and 11 C.F.R § 110.4(c)(2), and violated 2 U.S.C. §§ 434(b), 441a(f), 441i(e)(1)(A) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.3(d).d. Find reason to believe that Michael for Maryland and Belinda Cook, in her official capacity as Treasurer, violated 2 U.S.C. § 441i(e)(1)(A) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.3(d).e. Take no action at this time that Michael Steele violated 2 U.S.C. §§ 441a(f), 434(b), 441i(e)(1)(A) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.3(d).f. Take no action at this time that Paul Ellington violated 2 U.S.C. § 441i(e)(1)(A) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.3(d).g. Take no action at this time that Belinda Cook violated 2 U.S.C. § 441i(e)(1)(A) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.3(d).h. Approve the Steele for Maryland Factual and Legal Analysis informally circulated on December 8, 2010, and make appropriate conforming changes to the Factual and Legal Analyses for Monica Turner and Michael for Maryland.i. Enter into conciliation with Monica Turner, Steele for Maryland, Inc. and Elisabeth S. Rubin, in her official capacity as Treasurer, and Michael for Maryland and Belinda Cook, in her official capacity as Treasurer prior to a finding of probable cause to believe.j. Approve the Conciliation Agreements subject to making the appropriate conforming changes as set forth in the Steele for Maryland Factual and Legal Analysis informally circulated on December 8, 2010.k. Approve the appropriate letters.