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Federal Election Commission | United States of America

MUR #7669

BLOOMBERG NEWS

Summary

RESPONDENTS: Bloomberg News; Bloomberg, L.P.; Bloomberg, Michael R.; Horowitz, Hayden; Micklethwait, John; Mike Bloomberg 2020, Inc.

COMPLAINANTS: Media Research Center; Bozell, III, L. Brent

SUBJECT: Committees; Contributions; Other; Reporting; Soft Money

DISPOSITION: The Commission failed by a vote of 1-5 to: a. Dismiss the allegation that Bloomberg News, Bloomberg L.P., or John Micklethwait violated 52 U.S.C. §§ 30116 or 30118 by making excessive or prohibited in-kind contributions. b. Dismiss the allegation that Mike Bloomberg 2020, Inc. and Hayden Horowitz in his official capacity as treasurer or Michael R. Bloomberg violated 52 U.S.C. §§ 30116 or 30118 by accepting excessive or prohibited in-kind contributions. c. Dismiss the allegation that Bloomberg News or Bloomberg L.P. violated 52 U.S.C. § 30104(c) by failing to report independent expenditures. d. Find no reason to believe that Bloomberg News violated 52 U.S.C. §§ 30102, 30103 and 30104 by failing to register as a political committee or file reports as a political committee with the Commission. e. Approve the appropriate letters. f. Close the file.
The Commission decided by a vote of 5-1 to: a. Find no reason to believe the allegation that Bloomberg News, Bloomberg L.P., or John Micklethwait violated 52 U.S.C. §§ 30116 or 30118 by making excessive or prohibited in-kind contributions. b. Find no reason to believe that Mike Bloomberg 2020, Inc. and Hayden Horowitz in his official capacity as treasurer or Michael R. Bloomberg violated 52 U.S.C. §§ 30116 or 30118 by accepting excessive or prohibited in-kind contributions. c. Find no reason to believe the allegation that Bloomberg News or Bloomberg L.P. violated 52 U.S.C. § 30104(c) by failing to report independent expenditures. d. Find no reason to believe that Bloomberg News violated 52 U.S.C. §§ 30102, 30103 and 30104 by failing to register as a political committee or file reports as a political committee with the Commission. e. Find no reason to believe that the relevant Respondents violated the soft money provisions of 52 U.S.C. § 30125(e). f. Approve the Factual and Legal Analysis, as last circulated by Commissioner Dickerson’s Office on January 26, 2023 at 10:25 a.m., . . . REDACTED . . . f. Approve the appropriate letters. g. Close the file.

Disposition

Disposition Penalty Respondent Citation
No RTB Horowitz, Hayden 52 U.S.C. §30116
52 U.S.C. §30118
52 U.S.C. §30125(e)
Micklethwait, John 2 U.S.C. §31006
52 U.S.C. §30118
52 U.S.C. §30125(e)
Mike Bloomberg 2020, Inc. 52 U.S.C. §30116
52 U.S.C. §30118
52 U.S.C. §30125(e)
Bloomberg, Michael R. 52 U.S.C. §30116
52 U.S.C. §30118
52 U.S.C. §30125(e)
Bloomberg, L.P. 52 U.S.C. §30104(c)
52 U.S.C. §30116
52 U.S.C. §30118
52 U.S.C. §30125(e)
Bloomberg News 52 U.S.C. §30102
52 U.S.C. §30103
52 U.S.C. §30104
52 U.S.C. §30104(c)
52 U.S.C. §30116
52 U.S.C. §30118
52 U.S.C. §30125(e)

Documents

Type Date Document
Complaint, Responses, Designation of Counsel and Extensions of Time 01/27/2020 Response from Bloomberg L.P., Bloomberg News, John Micklethwait, Michael R. Bloomberg, Mike Bloomberg 2020, Inc. and Hayden Horowitz in his official capacity as treasurer 1 MB
12/19/2019 Grant of Extension of Time to Mike Bloomberg 2020, Inc. and Hayden Horowitz in his official capacity as treasurer, Michael R. Bloomberg, Bloomberg L.P., Bloomberg News, and Richard John Micklethwait 619 KB
12/19/2019 Designation of Counsel and Request for Extension of Time from Mike Bloomberg 2020, Inc. and Hayden Horowitz in his official capacity as treasurer, Michael R. Bloomberg, Bloomberg L.P., Bloomberg News, and Richard John Micklethwait 1 MB
12/13/2019 Notification of Complaint to Bloomberg News, John Micklethwait, Bloomberg LP, Michael Bloomberg, Mike Bloomberg 2020 and Hayden Horowotz, in his official capacity as treasurer 695 KB
12/09/2019 Complaint 1 MB
General Counsel Reports, Briefs, Notifications and Responses 02/06/2023 Notification with Factual and Legal Analysis to Bloomberg News, John Micklethwait, Bloomberg LP, Michael Bloomberg, Mike Bloomberg 2020 and Hayden Horowitz in his official capacity as treasurer 974 KB
02/06/2023 Notification to Media Research Center 949 KB
09/21/2022 First General Counsel's Report 1 MB
Certifications 01/26/2023 Bloomberg News; Mike Bloomberg 2020, Inc. and Hayden Horowitz, as treasurer; Michael R. Bloomberg; Bloomberg L.P.; John Micklethwait 709 KB
Statements of Reasons 03/08/2023 Commissioner Allen J. Dickerson 798 KB
03/07/2023 Vice Chair Sean J. Cooksey and Commissioners Allen J. Dickerson and James E. "Trey" Trainor, III 771 KB

Participants

Relationship Name
Primary respondent Bloomberg News
Previous respondent Bloomberg, L.P.
Bloomberg, Michael R.
Horowitz, Hayden
Micklethwait, John
Mike Bloomberg 2020, Inc.
Complainant Bozell, III, L. Brent
Media Research Center
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