Compliance Cases Made Public

MUR 5962

RESPONDENTS:

Istook for Congress (OK-5); James R. Hale committee treasurer; Ernest Istook; and Kyle Loveless, the committee’s campaign manager during 2003 and 2004

COMPLAINANT:

FEC Initiated (Audit)

SUBJECT:

In MUR 5962, which stemmed from an FEC audit of Istook for Congress, the Commission found reason to believe that the committee  received contributions totaling $10,825 from the treasury funds of various corporations and Limited Liability Corporations (LLC); failed to ascertain the entity status of the LLCs; failed to promptly resolve excessive contributions totaling $59,100; used $6,939 of campaign funds for what appeared to be personal expenses of the candidate; identified unauthorized expenditures made by a campaign worker totaling $30,504; misstated cash on hand, receipts and disbursements on its disclosure reports; and failed to file required 48-hour notices prior to the election for 20 contributions totaling $26,250. Also, Istook and Loveless admitted to using campaign funds to pay for personal expenses.

OUTCOME:

Conciliation Agreement: $14,600 civil penalty paid as follows: $1,800 from Ernest Istook’s personal funds, $800 from Kyle Loveless’ personal funds, and $12,000 from the funds of Istook for Congress.

MUR 5966

RESPONDENTS:

New Hampshire Republican State Committee and Robert Scott, committee treasurer

COMPLAINANT:

New Hampshire Democratic Party

SUBJECT:

The complainant alleged that the NHRSC and Mr. Scott provided copies of the Committee’s voter file to federal candidates without charge, resulting in unreported in-kind contributions; made expenditures from non-federal accounts during a time when these activities should have been paid with federal funds or a combination of federal and Levin funds; and possibly accepted in-kind donations from an unknown source. The Committee denied providing the voter file to any candidate and reimbursed its state account for the inadvertent purchase of a voter file using state funds. The total amount at issue was $436.50.

OUTCOME:

The matter was dismissed

MUR 5967

RESPONDENTS:

Robinson for Congress and Scott Shaeffer as treasurer; David W. Robinson (OH-12)

COMPLAINANT:

Corey E. Corbin

SUBJECT:

In MUR 5967, the complaint alleged various reporting and disclaimer problems.

OUTCOME:

The matter was dismissed

MUR 5973

RESPONDENTS:

Warren County (NJ) Democratic Committee and Martha Brady, committee treasurer; Michael Sedita, committee chairman

COMPLAINANT:

Harry E. Brown

SUBJECT:

In MUR 5973, the Commission closed the case upon finding no reason to believe that the Warren County Democratic Committee (the Committee/WCDC); Martha Brady, in her official capacity as treasurer; or Michael Sedita, the Committee’s chairman, violated the Act. Specifically, Harry E. Brown alleged that the Committee failed to register as a federal political committee and failed to use federal funds to pay for a postcard and a website that mentioned clearly identified candidates within 120 days of the New Jersey presidential primary election.

OUTCOME:

The Commission determined that the WCDC is not considered a federal political committee and did not violate the Act.

MUR 5980

RESPONDENTS:

Chris Hackett for Congress Committee and Carol Sides as treasurer (PA-10)

COMPLAINANT:

Thomas Cahill

SUBJECT:

In MUR 5980, the complaint alleged that the Committee failed to include proper disclaimers on some broadcast and written ads.

OUTCOME:

The matter was dismissed

MUR 5989

RESPONDENTS:

Shafroth for Congress (CO-2) and Stanley Garnett, committee treasurer

COMPLAINANT:

Jared Polis for Congress (CO-2)

SUBJECT:

In MUR 5989, the complaint alleged several reporting problems.

OUTCOME:

The matter was dismissed

MUR 6000

RESPONDENTS:

Committee to Elect Mike Boyce  (GA-6) and Judy Moon Boyce, committee treasurer; Lenaj Inc. (d/b/a Lenaj Inc. Marketing and Promotions

COMPLAINANT:

Mike Waddell

SUBJECT:

In MUR 6000, the complaint alleged that the Committee received a prohibited in-kind corporate contribution from Lenaj, Inc., DBA Lenaj Marketing and Promotions. The Committee admitted to receiving an $819 contribution, but claims that at the time it was received the Committee was unaware the contributor was a corporation. The Committee plans to issue a refund to Lenaj, Inc.

OUTCOME:

The matter was dismissed

MUR 6014

RESPONDENTS:

Freedom’s Watch, Inc.

COMPLAINANT:

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)

SUBJECT:

In MUR 6014, the complaint alleged the failure to file three electioneering communication reports between April 22, 2008 and May 3, 2008. Freedom’s Watch did timely file the electioneering communication reports, but due to technical problems at the Commission the disclosure reports were not timely posted to the FEC database.

OUTCOME:

The matter was dismissed

MUR 6061

RESPONDENTS:

Seaway Bancshares, Inc. and Seaway National Bank

COMPLAINANT:

FEC Initiated

SUBJECT:

In MUR 6061, which was initiated through an audit, the FEC dismissed the matter against Seaway Bancshares, Inc. and Seaway National Bank and admonished Seaway National Bank for making prohibited political contributions. Seaway National Bank made $3,000 in contributions to state and local political campaigns between June 2000 and August 2002; an additional $7,300 in contributions from 1997 through 2006; and a $300 federal political contribution in 1999. Only $3,950 of the contributions fell within the statute of limitations. Seaway Bancshares, Inc. used non-bank funds to make political contributions.    

OUTCOME:

The matter was dismissed. FEC admonished Seaway National Bank.