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Federal Election Commission | United States of America
  • Press Release

ADR Program Resolves Four Cases

August 10, 2006

For Immediate Release
August 10, 2006		 Contact: Kelly Huff
Bob Biersack
Ian Stirton
George Smaragdis
ADR PROGRAM RESOLVES FOUR CASES

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission has successfully resolved four enforcement matters through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program.  In the first two cases, the New Hampshire Republican State Committee and the North Carolina Democratic Party – Federal paid civil penalties of $4,500 and $3,500 respectively for failure to file independent expenditure reports. The CT Democratic State Central Committee paid a $1,500 penalty for failing to accurately report receipts and the Commission chose to take no action against William B. Adams for exceeding the annual contribution limit by $500.

The ADR program has proved very effective in expediting resolution of certain types of violations and reduced the agency’s costs for resolving some enforcement matters. This brings to 261 the total number of cases resolved through the ADR program since it began on October 2, 2000.   

The ADR process is designed to reach an expedient resolution with a mutually agreeable settlement that is in compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act.  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 being resolved, and participate in mediation if necessary.  Resolutions are submitted to the Commissioners for final approval.  Closed ADR negotiated settlement summaries are available in the FEC’s Press and Public Records office.

1.

ADR 305

     

RESPONDENTS:

New Hampshire Republican State Committee, Robert Scott, treasurer

SOURCE:

FEC Initiated (RAD)

SUBJECT:

Failure to file 24-Hour Notices for independent expenditures (totaling $68,965)

NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT:

$4,500 civil penalty

Respondents acknowledged an inadvertent violation of FECA, due to a lack of experience with federal campaign activity. Respondents agree to create the position of FEC Compliance Officer; prepare a policy which sets forth the responsibilities of this position, and establish guidelines for training compliance officers and send the new FEC Compliance Officer to a FEC compliance seminar.

DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD:

Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at http://www.fec.gov by entering 305 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.
     

2.

ADR 316

RESPONDENTS:

North Carolina Democratic Party – Federal, Muriel K. Offerman, treasurer

SOURCE:

FEC Initiated (RAD)

SUBJECT:

Failure to file 24-Hour Notices for independent expenditures (totaling $59,488)

NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT:

$3,500 civil penalty Respondents acknowledged an inadvertent omission of the necessary 24-Hour Notices required for independent expenditures. Respondents noted that the current treasurer was not the treasurer at the time these notices were to have been filed. Respondents agree to appoint a Compliance Officer and attend FECA compliance training within 12 months of the effective date of this agreement.

DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD:

Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at http://www.fec.gov by entering 316 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.

3.

ADR 313

RESPONDENTS:

CT Democratic State Central Committee, Emma Pierce, treasurer

SOURCE:

FEC Initiated (RAD)

SUBJECT:

Failure to accurately report receipts

NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT:

$1,500 civil penalty

Respondents acknowledged an inadvertent violation of FECA due to an unanticipated volume of financial transactions during the reporting period. Respondents agree to appoint a FEC compliance officer to supervise reporting and disclosure and send a representative to training in FEC reporting and compliance with 12 months of the effective date of this agreement.

DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD:

Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at http://www.fec.gov by entering 313 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.
     

3.

ADR 326

RESPONDENTS:

William Bain Adams

SOURCE:

MUR 5706: TheRestofUs.org

SUBJECT:

Exceeding the $25,000 annual contribution limit (2002)

NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT:

The ADR Office recommends the matter be dismissed and the Commission agreed and closed the file.

DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD:

Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at http://www.fec.gov by entering 326 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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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.