Compliance Cases Made Public

COMPLIANCE CASES MADE PUBLIC

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission has recently made public its final action on three 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. MUR 4583/Pre-MUR 332

RESPONDENTS: (a) The Embassy of India (DC)

(b) Davendra Singh (DC)

COMPLAINANTS: FEC Initiated (DC)

SUBJECT: Foreign national contributions; contributions in the names of others

DISPOSITION: (a-b) Probable cause to believe (knowing and willful)

Referred to DOJ, but DOJ advised FEC that matter was closed "without further investigation or prosecution."

Took no further action*

Sent admonishment letters.

2. MUR 4887

RESPONDENTS: Federation of American Health Systems Political Action Committee, ("FedPAC") Sylvia Urlich, treasurer (DC)

COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (RAD)

SUBJECT: Corporate contribution

DISPOSITION: Conciliation Agreement : $5,500 civil penalty*

3. MUR 4898

RESPONDENTS: (a) Mary Landrieu for Senate Committee Inc., Thomas C. Delahaye, treasurer (LA)

(b) Steven Ritvo (LA)

(c) Iberia Parish Democratic Committee (LA)

COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (Audit)

SUBJECT: Excessive contributions; failure to file 48-hour reports

DISPOSITION: (a) Conciliation Agreement: $23,000 civil penalty

(b-c) Reason to believe, but took no further action*

[re: excessive contributions]

*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.

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