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Federal Election Commission | United States of America

FEC v. Al Salvi for Senate (98C-4933)

Summary

Background

On February 26, 1999, the FEC appealed this case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, had dismissed this case on the grounds that it was identical to a case the Commission had previously filed in the court. That first case (98-1321) was dismissed on technical grounds. In both suits, the FEC asked the court to find that the Al Salvi for Senate Committee misreported or failed to report more than $1.1 million in contributions and loans during the 1996 election cycle.

More specifically, the Commission alleged that the Committee:

  • Reported bank loans to Mr. Salvi as personal loans from the candidate, never identifying the source of the funds;
  • Failed to report debts to the candidate;
  • Failed to file 48-hour notices for personal advances from the candidate; and
  • Failed to disclose campaign-related payments by the candidate to vendors and a bank.

In addition to asking the court to find that the Committee violated federal election law, the FEC asked the court to assess a civil penalty against the Committee and its treasurer and to enjoin them from committing further violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act.

Appeals court decision

On March 8, 2000, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court order dismissing a civil enforcement action the FEC had brought against the Al Salvi for Senate Committee and its treasurer.

Source:   FEC Record — June 2000; April 1999; October 1998; April 1998; FEC v. Salvi for Senate Committee, 1999 WL 167009 (N.D. Ill. Mar. 23, 1999).

This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.