MUR #7958
Steven C. WatkinsSummary
RESPONDENTS: Watkins, Steven C.; Committee to Elect Steve Watkins; Knopke, Benjamin; Martin, Steven G.; Sumner Construction; Sumner, Dennis; Sumner, Kathryne; Watkins, Diane K.; Wise, Andrew; Wise, Caroline
COMPLAINANT:
SUBJECT: Committees; Contributions
DISPOSITION: The Commission decided by a vote of 6-0 to take the following actions in MUR
7958:
1. Accept the signed conciliation agreement, as recommended in the Memorandum to the Commission dated March 7, 2022.
2. Close the file.
3. Approve the appropriate letter.
The Commission failed by a vote of 3-3 to:
a. Open a Matter Under Review.
b. Find reason to believe that Steven C. Watkins Sr., violated 52 U.S.C. § 30116(a), 30122 and 11 C.F.R. § 110.4(a)(1)(i).
c. Dismiss the matter as to Diane Watkins, Benjamin Knopke, Andrew Wise, Caroline Wise, Dennis Sumner, Kathryne Sumner, and Sumner Construction, but issue letters of caution.
d. Dismiss the matter as to the Committee to Elect Steve Watkins, Jr., and Steven G. Martin in his official capacity as treasurer.
e. Enter into conciliation with Steven C. Watkins Sr., prior to a finding of probable cause to believe.
f. Approve the conciliation agreement, as recommended in the First General Counsel’s Report dated July 15, 2020.
g. Approve the Factual and Legal Analyses, as recommended in the First General Counsel’s Report dated July 15, 2020.
h. Close the file as to Diane Watkins, Benjamin Knopke, Dennis Sumner, Kathryne Sumner, Sumner Construction, Andrew Wise and Caroline Wise.
i. Approve the appropriate letters.
The Commission decided by a vote of 5-1 to:
a. Open a Matter Under Review.
b. Find reason to believe that Steven C. Watkins Sr., violated 52 U.S.C. § 30116(a), 30122 and 11 C.F.R. § 110.4(a)(1)(i).
c. Dismiss the matter as to Diane Watkins, Benjamin Knopke, Andrew Wise, Caroline Wise, Dennis Sumner, Kathryne Sumner, and Sumner Construction.
d. Dismiss the matter as to the Committee to Elect Steve Watkins, Jr., and Steven G. Martin in his official capacity as treasurer.
e. Enter into conciliation with Steven C. Watkins Sr., prior to a finding of probable cause to believe.
f. Approve the Factual and Legal Analyses, as recommended in the First General Counsel’s Report dated July 15, 2020, subject to the edits circulated by Commissioner Cooksey’s Office on January 26, 2022 at 2:27 p.m.
g. Approve the draft conciliation agreement, as recommended in the First General Counsel’s Report dated July 15, 2020, subject to the edits circulated by Commissioner Cooksey’s Office on January 26, 2022 at 2:27 p.m.
h. Close the file as to Diane Watkins, Benjamin Knopke, Dennis Sumner, Kathryne Sumner, Sumner Construction, Andrew Wise, Caroline Wise, and Committee to Elect Steve Watkins, Jr. and Steven G. Martin in his official capacity as treasurer.
i. Issue appropriate letters.
Disposition
Disposition | Penalty | Respondent | Citation |
---|---|---|---|
Conciliation-PPC | Watkins, Steven C. |
52
U.S.C.
§30116(a)
52 U.S.C. §30122 11 CFR 110.4(a)(1)(i) |
|
Dismissed-Other | Knopke, Benjamin |
52
U.S.C.
§30116(a)
52 U.S.C. §30122 11 CFR 110.4(a)(1)(i) |
|
Martin, Steven G. |
52
U.S.C.
§30116(a)
52 U.S.C. §30122 11 CFR 110.4(a)(1)(i) |
||
Wise, Andrew |
52
U.S.C.
§30116(a)
52 U.S.C. §30122 11 CFR 110.4(a)(1)(i) |
||
Wise, Caroline |
52
U.S.C.
§30116(a)
52 U.S.C. §30122 11 CFR 110.4(a)(1)(i) |
||
Sumner, Dennis |
52
U.S.C.
§30116(a)
52 U.S.C. §30122 11 CFR 110.4(a)(1)(i) |
||
Sumner, Kathryne |
52
U.S.C.
§30116(a)
52 U.S.C. §30122 11 CFR 110.4(a)(1)(i) |
||
Committee to Elect Steve Watkins |
52
U.S.C.
§30116(a)
52 U.S.C. §30122 11 CFR 110.4(a)(1)(i) |
||
Sumner Construction |
52
U.S.C.
§30116(a)
52 U.S.C. §30122 11 CFR 110.4(a)(1)(i) |
||
Watkins, Diane K. |
52
U.S.C.
§30116(a)
52 U.S.C. §30122 11 CFR 110.4(a)(1)(i) |
Documents
Participants
Relationship | Name |
---|---|
Primary respondent | Watkins, Steven C. |
Previous respondent | Committee to Elect Steve Watkins |
Knopke, Benjamin | |
Martin, Steven G. | |
Sumner Construction | |
Sumner, Dennis | |
Sumner, Kathryne | |
Watkins, Diane K. | |
Wise, Andrew | |
Wise, Caroline | |
Respondent's counsel | Ashby, Chris |
Wiley Rein LLP (1) | |
Woodson, Andrew G. |