ADR PROGRAM RESOLVES CASES
WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission is making public five additional cases
resolved in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program. This brings to 6 the total
number of cases released thus far. 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
to mediation. It should be noted that cases resolved through ADR are not precedential.
| 1. ADR 0001 |
RESPONDENT(S): |
Byrum for Congress, Hilda P. Curran, treasurer (MI) |
| SOURCE: |
MUR 4923 - Complainant: Michigan Republican State Committee,
Gregory R. Brock, Executive Director (MI) |
| SUBJECT: |
Failure to report earmarked contributions; failure to file
amended reports to correct errors |
NEGOTIATED
SETTLEMENT: |
$ 1,850 civil penalty
Respondent will attend FEC-sponsored seminar on Electronic Filing and Reporting
Requirements and will meet with Commission staff for briefing session on reporting
procedures. |
| 2. ADR 0002 |
RESPONDENT(S): |
(a) PROCHOICE VOTER, Candyce Corcoran, treasurer (NY)
(b) Westchester Coalition for Legal Abortion, Inc. ("WCLA"), Joseph Melhado (NY)
(c) Westchester Coalition for Legal Abortion PAC ("WCLA-PAC"), Adam Bradley,
treasurer (NY) |
| SOURCE: |
MUR 4883 - Complainant: Aldo V. Vitagliano, Esq. (NY) |
| SUBJECT: |
Engaging in activities that were allegedly prohibited
contributions |
NEGOTIATED
SETTLEMENT: |
$ 1,117.70 civil penalty |
| 3. ADR 0003 |
RESPONDENT(S): |
Friedheim for Senate, Jason Shapiro, treasurer (HI) |
| SOURCE: |
MUR 4927 - Complainant: Eugene F. Douglass (HI) |
| SUBJECT: |
Failure to file disclosure reports timely |
NEGOTIATED
SETTLEMENT: |
$ 1,000 civil penalty
Respondent has filed reports and will terminate activities. |
| 4. ADR 0005 |
RESPONDENT(S): |
Committee to Elect Thomas Cramer, Thomas A. Cramer, treasurer
(IL) |
| SOURCE: |
MUR 4917 - Complainant: Brent M. Christensen (IL) |
| SUBJECT: |
Failure to file disclosure reports timely; failure to
designate campaign depository; failure to accurately report contributions |
NEGOTIATED
SETTLEMENT: |
$ 1,000 civil penalty
Respondent has amended and corrected reports and will attend an FEC-sponsored training
seminar. |
| 5. ADR 0010 |
RESPONDENT(S): |
Dr. Daniel R. Hightower (TN) |
| SOURCE: |
MUR 5152 - Complainant: Al M. Thomas (TN) |
| SUBJECT: |
Corporate contributions/contributions in the names of others |
NEGOTIATED
SETTLEMENT: |
$ 1,200 civil penalty
Respondent will adopt and distribute, within 90 days of the effective date of the
agreement, a corporate policy prohibiting corporate contributions to federal elections. |
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