ADR program update
During the last six months of 2007, the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program resolved and made public 44 campaign finance enforcement matters.
Nineteen of the matters resulted in civil penalties totaling $65,700. The Commission dismissed the allegations against 14 committees. As part of the resolution of the enforcement matters, many committees agreed to modify their practices by reassigning staff, conducting internal audits and attending FEC conferences to improve their recordkeeping and reporting practices.
Since its inception in 2000, the ADR program has resolved 385 cases. The purpose of the ADR program is to reach a faster resolution with a settlement that complies with the Federal Election Campaign Act and is agreeable to both the Commission and the respondents. For a case to be considered for ADR, the respondent must express a willingness to engage in the ADR process, agree to set aside the statute of limitations on the violations while the case is being resolved and participate in mediation, if appropriate. Settlements reached through the ADR program are submitted to the Commission for final approval. Completed ADR negotiated settlement summaries are available on the FEC’s web site and through the Public Records Office.
Summaries of the 44 cases closed in late 2007 are available on the FEC web site.