WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission is making public two cases resolved in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program. This brings to 226 the total number of cases released since the ADR program began October 2, 2000. The program’s goal is to expedite resolution of some enforcement matters, reduce the cost of processing complaints, and enhance overall FEC enforcement. Closed ADR negotiated settlement summaries are available in the FEC’s Press and Public Records offices.
For a case to be considered for ADR treatment, a respondent must express willingness to engage in the ADR process, agree to set aside the statute of limitations while the case is pending in the ADR Office, and agree to participate in bilateral negotiations and, if necessary, mediation.
Bilateral negotiations through ADR are oriented toward reaching an expedient resolution with a mutually agreeable settlement that is both satisfying to the respondent(s) and in compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). Resolutions reached through direct and, when necessary, mediated negotiations are submitted to the Commissioners for final approval. If a resolution is not reached in bilateral negotiation, the case proceeds by mutual agreement to mediation. It should be noted that cases resolved through ADR are not precedential.
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ADR 285 |
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RESPONDENTS: |
National Association of Federal Credit Unions PAC, Murray Chanow, treasurer |
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SOURCE: |
FEC Initiated (RAD) |
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SUBJECT: |
Failure to disclose all receipts |
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NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT: |
$1,000 civil penalty
Respondents acknowledged an inadvertent violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) due to an error in their original report. Respondents stated that the error was found by their own internal audit one week after the report was originally filed. The Committee notes that it has taken proactive steps to ensure future compliance. In an effort to avoid similar errors in the future, Respondents agree to have two staff members attend a FEC seminar for political action committees within 12 months of the effective date of this agreement.
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DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD: |
Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at http://www.fec.gov by entering 285 under case number in the Enforcement Query System. They are also available in the FECs Public Records Office at 999 E St. NW in Washington. |
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2. |
ADR 297 |
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RESPONDENTS: |
Ashcroft 2000, Garrett Lott, treasurer
Tony Trimble, Counsel, Ashcroft 2000
Spirit of America PAC, Garrett, treasurer |
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SOURCE: |
MUR 5615: William O’Malley |
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SUBJECT: |
Excessive contribution; failure to report contributions and refund |
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NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT: |
The ADR Office recommends the matter be dismissed and the Commission agrees to close the file.
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DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD: |
Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at http://www.fec.gov by entering 297 under case number in the Enforcement Query System. They are also available in the FECs Public Records Office at 999 E St. NW in Washington. |
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