MUR #7165
JESSE BENTONSummary
RESPONDENTS: Benton, Jesse; Backer, Dan; Beach, Eric; Great America PAC
COMPLAINANTS: Campaign Legal Center; Kelley, Catherine
SUBJECT: Foreign Nationals
DISPOSITION: The Commission decided by a vote of 5-0 to:
a. Close the file.
b. Send the appropriate letters.
The Commission failed by a vote of 3-2 to:
Find probable cause to believe that Jesse Benton knowingly and willfully violated 52 U.S.C. § 30121(a)(2) and 11 C.F.R. §110.20(g) by knowingly soliciting a contribution from a foreign national.
The Commission decided by a vote of 4-1 to take the following actions in MURs
7165 and 7196:
1. Accept the signed conciliation agreement with Great America PAC and Dan Backer
in his official capacity as treasurer, as recommended in the Memorandum to the
Commission dated June 9, 2021.
2. Close the file as to Great America PAC and Dan Backer in his official capacity
as treasurer.
3. Approve the appropriate letter.
The Commission decided by a vote of 4-1 to take the following actions in MURs
7165 and 7196:
1. Enter into conciliation with Great America PAC and Dan Backer in his official
capacity as treasurer prior to a finding of probable cause to believe.
2. Approve the proposed conciliation agreement, as recommended in the Memorandum to the Commission dated March 26, 2021, subject to the edits circulated by Commissioner Dickerson’s Office on April 7, 2021 at 5:11 p.m.
3. Approve the appropriate letter.
The Commission decided by a vote of 4-1 to approve the Subpoena to Produce Documents and Order to Submit Written Answers to Jesse Benton, as recommended
in the Memorandum to the Commission dated April 9, 2021.
The Commission decided by a vote of 4-1 to take the following actions in MURs 7165 and 7196:
1. Find reason to believe that Great America PAC and Dan Backer in his official capacity as treasurer knowingly and willfully violated 52 U.S.C. § 30121(a)(2) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.20(g).
2. Find reason to believe that Jesse Benton knowingly and willfully violated 52 U.S.C. § 30121(a)(2) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.20(g).
3. Take no action at this time to Eric Beach.
4. Authorize the use of compulsory process, as necessary.
5. Approve the Factual and Legal Analyses, as recommended in the First General Counsel’s Report dated May 24, 2018, subject to the edits circulated by the Office of General Counsel on February 23, 2021 at 12:20 p.m., and subject to the comma and period edits at the table by Commissioner Weintraub.
6. Approve the appropriate letters.
The Commission failed by a vote of 3-2 to take the following actions in MURs 7165 and 7196:
1. Find reason to believe that Great America PAC and Dan Backer in his official capacity as treasurer knowingly and willfully violated 52 U.S.C. § 30121(a)(2) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.2(g).
2. Find reason to believe that Eric Beach knowingly and willfully violated 52 U.S.C. § 30121(a)(2) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.20(g).
3. Find reason to believe that Jesse Benton knowingly and willfully violated 52 U.S.C. § 30121(a)(2) and 11 C.F.R. § 110.20(g).
4. Authorize the use of compulsory process, as necessary.
5. Approve the Factual and Legal Analyses, as recommend in the First General Counsel’s Report dated May 24, 2018, subject to the edits circulated by Commissioner Weintraub’s Office on January 27, 2021 at 5:12 p.m.
6. Approve the appropriate letters.
Disposition
Disposition | Penalty | Respondent | Citation |
---|---|---|---|
Conciliation-PPC | Great America PAC |
52
U.S.C.
§30121(a)(2)
11 CFR 110.20(g) |
|
Backer, Dan |
52
U.S.C.
§30121(a)(2)
11 CFR 110.20(g) |
||
Dismissed-Other | Benton, Jesse |
52
U.S.C.
§30121(a)(2)
11 CFR 110.20(g) |
|
Beach, Eric |
Documents
Participants
Relationship | Name |
---|---|
Primary respondent | Benton, Jesse |
Previous respondent | Backer, Dan |
Beach, Eric | |
Great America PAC | |
Complainant | Campaign Legal Center |
Kelley, Catherine | |
Respondent's counsel | Dhillon Law Group Inc. |