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Federal Election Commission | United States of America
  • Press Release

Compliance Cases Made Public

June 29, 2000


 

For Immediate Release:                                                                                             Contact:   Kelly Huff
June 29, 2000                                                                                                                                 Ron Harris
                                                                                                                                                        Sharon Snyder
                                                                                                                                                        Ian Stirton



COMPLIANCE CASES MADE PUBLIC



WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission has recently made public its final action on 13 matters previously under review (MURs).  This release contains only summary information. Closed files should be thoroughly read for details, including the FEC’s legal analysis of the case. (See footnote at the end of this release.) Closed MUR files are available in the Public Records Office.



1.	Pre-MUR 383 


	RESPONDENT: Washington County Democratic Committee (PA)	


	COMPLAINANT: Sua sponte


	SUBJECT:	Contributions from national banks


DISPOSITION: Reason to believe, but took no further action*




 


2/3.	MURs 4407 and 4544 


RESPONDENTS: (a) Clinton/Gore ’96 Primary Committee, Inc., Joan Pollitt, treasurer (DC)

blockquote



  • (b) Clinton/Gore ’96 General Committee, Inc., Joan Pollitt, treasurer (DC)
    • 

  • (c) Democratic National Committee, Carol Pensky, treasurer (DC)
    • 

  • (d) President William J. Clinton (DC)
    • 

  • (e) Vice President Albert Gore, Jr. (DC) 	 
    • 
    
<lockquote>


    	COMPLAINANT: Dole for President, Inc., Douglas C. Wurth, General Counsel (DC) [4407]
    

    		Rebecca Roczen Carley, M.D. [4544]
    

    	SUBJECT:	Excessive contributions; exceeding overall expenditure limit; exceeding
overall coordinated party expenditure limit; failure to properly report coordinated party expenditures and contributions; failure to report in-
kind contributions; use of non-federal funds; acceptance of prohibited contributions
    

    	DISPOSITION:	(a) Reason to believe, but took no further action*
    
blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote

    			[re: excessive contributions; exceeding overall primary expenditure 			limit; failure to report in-kind contributions; knowing acceptance of 			prohibited contributions]
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>

      




    1. (b) Reason to believe, but took no further action*
      2. 
      
      

    

blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote


    			[re: excessive contributions; exceeding general expenditure limit; 				failure to report in-kind contributions; knowing acceptance of 				prohibited contributions]
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
    
      
      
    • (c) Reason to believe, but took no further action*
      • 
    
    
    blockquote
      blockquote


    [re: excessive contributions; exceeding coordinated party expenditure limit; use of non-federal funds; failure to properly report
coordinated party expenditures and contributions]
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>


      




    1. (d) Reason to believe, but took no further action*
      2. 
      
      

    

blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote


    			[re: excessive contributions; exceeding overall primary and general 			expenditure limits; knowing acceptance of prohibited contributions]
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>

      




    1. (e) Reason to believe, but took no further action*
      2. 
      
      

    
blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote


    [re: excessive contributions; exceeding overall primary and general expenditure limits; knowing acceptance of prohibited contributions]
    


     
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>



    4.	MUR 4545	
    

    RESPONDENTS: (a) Clinton/Gore ’96 Primary Committee, Inc., Joan Pollitt, treasurer (DC) 
    
blockquote
  blockquote
    
      
      
    • (b) United States of America
      • 
      
    • (c) National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) (DC)
      • 
      
    • (d) Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) (PA)
      • 
      
    • (e) CSX Corporation (VA)
      • 
    
    
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>


    	COMPLAINANT: Republican National Committee, Thomas J. Josefiak, Counsel (DC)
    

    	SUBJECT:	Use of government funds in federal election; corporate contributions;
exceeding expenditure limits
    

    	DISPOSITION:	(a-e) No reason to believe*
    
blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote

     [re: any violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act, Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act or Commission’s regulations]
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>

    		
    

    5/6.	MURs 4553 and 4671
    

    	RESPONDENTS:	(a) Dole for President, Inc., Robert J. Dole, treasurer (DC)
    

      




    1. (b) Dole/Kemp ’96, Inc., Robert J. Dole, treasurer (DC)
      2. 

    2. (c) Republican National Committee, Alec Poitevint, treasurer (DC)
      3. 

    3. (d) Senator Robert J. Dole (DC)		 
      4. 
      
      

    


    	COMPLAINANTS: Democratic National Committee, Donald Fowler, Chairman (DC) [4553]
    

    		Rebecca Roczen Carley, M.D. (NY) [4671]
    

    	SUBJECT:	Excessive contributions; exceeding overall expenditure limits (primary
and general); exceeding coordinated party expenditure limit; acceptance of prohibited contributions; use of non-federal funds; failure to properly
report coordinated party expenditures; failure to report contributions and expenditures
    

    	DISPOSITION: (a) Reason to believe, but took no further action*
    

    			[re: excessive contributions; exceeding overall expenditure limit 				(primary); acceptance of prohibited contributions; failure to properly 			report contributions and expenditures]
    

      




    1. (b) Reason to believe, but took no further action*
      2. 


        


        [re: excessive contributions; exceeding overall expenditure limit 		(general); acceptance of prohibited contributions; failure to properly 	report contributions and expenditures]
        

      

    2. (c) Reason to believe, but took no further action*
      3. 



        


        [re: excessive contributions; exceeding coordinated party expenditure 	limit; use of non-federal funds; failure to properly report coordinated 	party expenditures and contributions]
        
  
      

    3. (d) Reason to believe, but took no further action*
      4. 
      
      

    


blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote
        
    [re: excessive contributions; exceeding overall expenditure limits (primary and general); acceptance of prohibited contributions]
    
        <lockquote>
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>


    7.	MUR 4713
    

    RESPONDENTS: (a) Clinton/Gore ’96 Primary Committee, Inc., Joan Pollitt, treasurer (DC) 
    
blockquote
  blockquote
    
      
      
    • (b) Democratic National Committee, Carol Pensky, treasurer (DC)
      • 
      
    • (c) President William J. Clinton (DC)
      • 
      
    • (d) Harold M. Ickes, Esquire (NY)
      • 
    
    
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>


    	COMPLAINANT: Lenora B. Fulani (NY)
    

    	SUBJECT:	Excessive contributions; use of non-federal funds; improper reporting;
exceeding the overall expenditure limit; improper use of state allocation ratios for funding advertising  campaign	
    

    	DISPOSITION:	(a) Failed to pass a motion to find reason to believe*
    
blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote

    			[re: excessive contributions; acceptance of prohibited contributions; 			exceeding the overall expenditure limit; improper reporting]
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>

    No reason to believe*
    

    blockquote
      blockquote
        
    			[re: any statute or regulation within the jurisdiction of the Federal 				Election Commission with respect to the allegations unrelated to the 			advertisements funded by the Democratic National Committee] 
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>

      




    1. (b) Failed to pass a motion to find reason to believe*
      2. 


        


        [re: excessive contributions; use of non-federal funds; improper 	reporting; improper use of state allocation ratios for funding 	advertising campaign]
        

        			No reason to believe*
        

        			[re: any statute or regulation within the jurisdiction of the Federal 				Election Commission with respect to the allegations unrelated to the 			advertisements funded by the Democratic National Committee]
        

      

    2. (c) Failed to pass a motion to find reason to believe*
      3. 
      
      

    
blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote


    	[re: excessive contributions; acceptance of prohibited contributions; 	exceeding the overall expenditure limit]
    

    No reason to believe*
    

    	[re: any statute or regulation within the jurisdiction of the Federal 	Election Commission with respect to the allegations unrelated to the 	advertisements funded by the Democratic National Committee]	
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>



      
  
    (d) No reason to believe*

blockquote
  blockquote

    <lockquote>[re: any statute or regulation within the jurisdiction of the Federal Election Commission with respect to the allegations unrelated to the
    advertisements funded by the Democratic National Committee]
<lockquote>

    No reason to believe*
    
blockquote

    [re: any statute or regulation within the jurisdiction of the Federal Election Commission.]
    
<lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  


    	
    

    8. MUR 4761 
    

    	RESPONDENTS:	Association of Trial Lawyers of America Political Action Committee, Dan
Cohen, treasurer (DC)	
    

    	COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (RAD)
    

    	SUBJECT:	Excessive contributions
    

    	DISPOSITION:	Reason to believe, but took no further action*
    

    		Sent admonishment letter.
    


     
    

    9.	MUR 4763
    

    	RESPONDENTS:	(a) Texas Democratic Party, Jane Hedgepeth, treasurer (TX)
    

      




    1. (b) Bexar County Democratic Party, Eddie Rodriguez, treasurer (TX)
      2. 

    2. (c) Dallas County Democratic Party, David A. Parnell, treasurer (TX)
      3. 

    3. (d) Galveston County Democratic Party, Mary Ellen Brennan, treasurer (TX)
      4. 

    4. (e) Harris County Democratic Party, Sue Schechter, treasurer (TX)
      5. 

    5. (f) Jefferson County Democratic Party, Gilbert T. Adams, Jr., treasurer (TX)
      6. 

    6. (g) Travis County Democratic Party, Mina Clark, treasurer (TX)
      7. 

    7. (h) 21st Century Political Action Committee, Art Brender, treasurer (TX)
      8. 
      
      

    


    	COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (RAD)
    

    	SUBJECT:	Excessive contributions
    

    	DISPOSITION:	Conciliation Agreement: $55,000 civil penalty*
    

    Respondents may not transfer excessive contributions to Respondents’ non-federal account unless Respondents have received, within 60 days of
the effective date of this agreement, express, written permission from contributor of the excessive funds. Absent receipt of such written
permission with the 60 day period, Respondents shall refund the excessive funds to the contributor. In each case where Respondents
receive written permission to transfer the funds to  their non-federal account, they shall furnish a copy of the written permission to the
Commission prior to transferring funds.
    

     
    


    10.	MUR 4764
    

    	RESPONDENTS: Harris County Democratic Party, Sue Schechter, treasurer (TX)
    

    	COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (RAD)
    

    	SUBJECT:	Transfer of non-federal funds to federal account for 100% non-federal
activity
    

    DISPOSITION: Conciliation Agreement: $5,000 civil penalty*
    


    


    11.	MUR 4955
    

    RESPONDENTS: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Political Participation Fund A
(Metlife), Robert C. Tarnok, treasurer (NY) 
    

    	COMPLAINANT:	FEC Initiated (Audit)
    

    	SUBJECT:	Failure to preserve and maintain payroll deduction authorization forms
    

    	DISPOSITION:	Conciliation Agreement: $5,000 civil penalty*
    

    Respondents agree to preserve and maintain all authorization forms as required by law
    

     
    


    12.	MUR 4969
    

    	RESPONDENTS: (a) Dole for President, Inc., Robert J. Dole, treasurer (DC)
    

      




    1. (b) Republican National Committee, Alec Poitevint, treasurer (DC)
      2. 

    2. (c) Senator Robert J. Dole (DC)	
      3. 
      
      

    


    	COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (Audit)
    

    	SUBJECT:	Excessive contributions; use of non-federal funds; exceeding the overall
expenditure limit; improper reporting; improper use of state allocation ratios for funding advertising campaign
    

    DISPOSITION: (a) Failed to pass a motion to find reason to believe*
    
blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote

    			[re: excessive contributions; acceptance of prohibited contributions;
exceeding the primary expenditure limit; improper reporting]
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>

      
  
    • 
    blockquote
      blockquote
        (b) Failed to pass a motion to find reason to believe*
        <lockquote>
      <lockquote>
    
      • 
  
    
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote
        blockquote


    [re: excessive contributions; use of non-federal funds/making prohibited contributions; improper reporting]
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>

      




    • (c) Failed to pass a motion to find reason to believe*
      • 
      
      
  
    
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote
        blockquote


    [re: excessive contributions; acceptance of prohibited contributions; exceeding the primary expenditure limit; improper
          reporting]
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>

      






       
      
      
      
      
      
  
    


    13.	MUR 4970 
    

    RESPONDENTS: (a) Clinton/Gore ’96 Primary Committee, Inc., Joan Pollitt, treasurer (DC) 
    
blockquote
  blockquote
    
      
      
    • (b) Democratic National Committee, Carol Pensky, treasurer (DC)
      • 
      
    • (c) President William J. Clinton (DC)
      • 
    
    
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>

    	COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (Audit)
    

    	SUBJECT:	Excessive contributions; use of non-federal funds; acceptance of prohibited
contributions; improper reporting; exceeding the overall expenditure limit; improper use of state allocation ratios for funding advertising  campaign
    

    	DISPOSITION:	(a) Failed to pass a motion to find reason to believe*
    
blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote

    			[re: excessive contributions; acceptance of prohibited contributions; 			exceeding the overall primary expenditure limit; improper reporting]
    
      <lockquote>

    No reason to believe*
    

      blockquote
        
    			[re: any violation within the jurisdiction of the Federal Election 				Commission with respect to the allegations unrelated to the 				advertisements funded by the Democratic National Committee] 
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>

      




    1. (b) Failed to pass a motion to find reason to believe*
      2. 

      

      [re: excessive contributions; use of non-federal funds/making 	prohibited contributions; improper reporting]
      

      			No reason to believe*
      

      			[re: any violation within the jurisdiction of the Federal Election 				Commission with respect to the allegations unrelated to the 				advertisements funded by the Democratic National Committee]
      

    

  • (c) Failed to pass a motion to find reason to believe*
    • 



blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
      blockquote


    	[re: excessive contributions; acceptance of prohibited contributions; 	exceeding the overall primary expenditure limit]
    
      <lockquote>

    No reason to believe*
    

      blockquote
        
    	[re: any violation within the jurisdiction of the Federal Election 	Commission with respect to the allegations unrelated to the 	advertisements funded by the Democratic National Committee]	
    
      <lockquote>
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>



    *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.