skip navigation
Here's how you know US flag signifying that this is a United States Federal Government website

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

SSL

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Federal Election Commission | United States of America
  • Press Release

Compliance Case Made Public

January 6, 2004

News Releases, Media Advisories

FEC Home Page

For Immediate Release
January 6, 2003		 Contact: George Smaragdis
Bob Biersack
Ian Stirton
COMPLIANCE CASE MADE PUBLIC

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission has recently made public its final action on one matter previously under review (MURs). This release contains only disposition information.

1. MUR 5121  
     
  RESPONDENTS: (a) New Democrat Network, Simon Rosenberg, treasurer

(b) Sue Brodsky Burnett

(c) Calvin M. Dooley

(d) Timothy J. Roemer

(e) John B. Breaux

(f) Joseph I. Lieberman

(g) Bob Graham

(h) Mary L. Landrieu

(i) Blanche Lambert Lincoln

(j) James P. Moran, Jr.

(k) Adam Smith

(l) Dooley for Congress, Stephen J. Kaufman, treasurer

(m) Hoosiers for Tim Roemer, Christine A. Lauber, treasurer

(n) Mike Ross for Congress Committee, W. Herman Brown, treasurer

(o) Mike Honda for Congress, James E. Towery, treasurer

(p) Schiff for Congress, Stephen J. Kaufman, treasurer

(q) Susan Davis for Congress, Carolyn J. Witt, treasurer

(r) Linda Chapin for Congress, William A. Beckett, treasurer

(s) Elaine Bloom for Congress, Richard A. Berkowitz, treasurer

(t) Lauren Beth Gash for Congress, Barry J. Shapiro, treasurer

(u) Byrum for Congress, Hilda Patricia Curran, treasurer

(v) Matheson for Congress, Allen Sims, treasurer

(w) Citizens to Elect Rick Larsen, Robert Anderson, treasurer

(x) Friends of Jane Harman, Ted W. Lieu, treasurer

(y) Baesler for Congress, Mike Foley, treasurer

(z) Inslee for Congress, Linda Mitchell, treasurer

(aa) Friends of Jim Maloney, Inc., Patricia Draper, treasurer

(bb) Rush Holt for Congress, Inc., Pamela H. Mount, treasurer

(cc) Adam Smith for Congress, Katy Andrew, treasurer

(dd) Moore for Congress, Constance Shidler, treasurer

(ee) Carper for Senate 2000, Patricia P. McGonigle

(ff) Bill Nelson for U.S. Senate, Peggy Gagnon, treasurer

(gg) Zell Miller for Senate, Inc., Keith W. Mason, treasurer

(hh) Stabenow for U.S. Senate, Angela M. Autera, treasurer

(ii) Carnahan for Senate Committee, Lisa L. Lindsey, treasurer

(jj) Nelson 2000, Susan K. Landow, treasurer

(kk) Robb for the Senate, Thomas J. Lehner

(ll) Gore/Lieberman, Inc., Jose Villarreal, treasurer
  COMPLAINANTS: Donald F. McGahn II, General Counsel, National Republican Congressional Committee
  SUBJECT: Excessive contributions, disclaimers
  DISPOSITION: (a) Reason to believe, sent admonishment letter* [re: disclaimers]

No reason to believe* [re: excessive contributions]

(b-ll) No reason to believe* [re: any provision of the Act]

Under the Act and Commission regulations, affiliated committees share contribution limits. The complaint alleged that the New Democrat Network (NDN), Dooley for Congress and a number of other committees made and accepted excessive contributions during the 2000 election cycle by virtue of being affiliated with each other. However, the Commission concluded that there was insufficient evidence to find that the committees were affiliated. Nonetheless, there was reason to believe that certain NDN solicitations did not include proper disclaimers. But in light of the no reason to believe finding concerning the affiliation allegation and the limited disbursements for the solicitations at issue, the Commission sent an admonishment letter.
  DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD: Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at fec.gov

by entering 5121 under case number. They are also available in the FECs Public Records Office at 999 E St. NW in Washington.

 

*There are four administrative stages to the FEC enforcement process:

1. Receipt of proper complaint 3. "Probable cause" stage
2. "Reason to believe" stage 4. Conciliation stage

It requires the votes of at least four of the six Commissioners to take any action. The FEC can close a case at any point after reviewing a complaint. If a violation is found and conciliation cannot be reached, then the FEC can institute a civil court action against a respondent.

# # #

 

Read next:

FEC Cites Committees for Failure to File 12-Day Pre-Primary Financial Report

More press releases »

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.