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Federal Election Commission | United States of America

FEC v. Free the Eagle; FEC v. RUFFPAC

Summary

On June 5, 1995, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued consent judgments in these two cases. In both cases the FEC sought enforcement of conciliation agreements (Matter Under Review (MUR) 2191) entered into by Free the Eagle and by RUFFPAC and Tammy J. Lyles. Ms. Lyles was the managing director of Free the Eagle and the treasurer of RUFFPAC.

In the stipulations for consent judgments, both defendants and Ms. Lyles admitted to being in breach of the conciliation agreement. Free the Eagle owed the Commission $5,000, and RUFFPAC and Ms. Lyles owed the Commission $8,000, both with interest accrued since November 15, 1994. Defendants and Ms. Lyles agreed to the following:

  • Free the Eagle and RUFFPAC, both in conjunction with Ms. Lyles, would make monthly payments of $250 and $350, respectively, until their debts, with compounded interest, were paid in full.
  • Should either Free the Eagle or RUFFPAC file for bankruptcy, Ms. Lyles would be personally obligated to make all of the defendant organization's remaining payments. Ms. Lyles would remain liable for these amounts even if her relationship with Free the Eagle and RUFFPAC were terminated, unless she secured a written assumption of liability from her successor at each organization. This assumption would have to be approved by the Commission prior to the effective date of Ms. Lyles' resignation.

Additionally, a $5,000 civil penalty was assessed against each defendant under 2 U.S.C. §437g(a)(6)(A) for breach of the conciliation agreement. The FEC agreed to waive both civil penalties provided that all parties complied with the court's consent judgment order and that all payments were timely.

Source:   FEC Record — August 1995. FEC v. Free the Eagle, No. 95-0297 (D.D.C. June 5, 1995). FEC v. RUFFPAC, No. 95-0296 (D.D.C. June 5, 1995).

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.