FEC approves two advisory opinions and four audit reports, honors retiring Vice Chair Steven T. Walther for 16 years of service to the Commission

WASHINGTON – At its open meeting today, the Federal Election Commission approved two advisory opinions and four audit reports. The Commissioners also honored Vice Chair Steven T. Walther, who retires this month after 16 years of service to the agency.

Advisory Opinion 2022-06 (Hispanic Leadership Trust) The Commission approved Advisory Opinion Request 2022-06 in response to a request from Hispanic Leadership Trust (HLT). The Commission concluded that under the facts presented in the request and supplemental information, HLT would not be a leadership PAC of either the proposed chair or proposed vice chair or Members of Congress on its board of directors, nor would it be affiliated with existing leadership PACs of those individuals, under the draft bylaws’ Alternative C, assuming that no Member of Congress or current candidate for federal office represents more than 33 percent of the seats required for a quorum of HLT’s board of directors. During the discussion, the Commission heard from counsel for the requestor.

Advisory Opinion 2022-10 (Sprinkle) The Commission approved Advisory Opinion 2022-10 in response to a request from Platform Venture Studio Inc. doing business as Sprinkle. The Commission concluded that under the circumstances presented in the request, Sprinkle’s provision of contribution processing services to contributors would not result in prohibited contributions by Sprinkle, and that Sprinkle’s proposed use of Commission data to supplement its services to contributors was permissible.

Resubmission - Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Kentucky State Democratic Central Executive Committee The Commission approved two findings in the Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Kentucky State Democratic Central Executive Committee, covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018. The approved findings relate to misstatement of financial activity and recordkeeping for employees. The Commission did not approve by the required four affirmative votes proposed findings related to excessive coordinated party expenditures, receipt of contributions in excess of the limit, and failure to file a 24-hour report. The proposed findings will be placed in the Additional Issues section of the Final Audit Report of the Commission.

Resubmission - Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Democratic Party of Arkansas The Commission approved three findings in the Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Democratic Party of Arkansas, covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018. The approved findings relate to reporting of debts and obligations, recordkeeping for employees, and disclosure of loans and loan repayments. The Commission did not approve by the required four affirmative votes a proposed finding related to reporting of media related expenditures. The proposed finding will be placed in the Additional Issues section of the Final Audit Report of the Commission.

Proposed Final Audit Report on the Association for Emergency Responders and Firefighters, PAC The Commission approved the Proposed Final Audit Report of the Commission on the Association for Emergency Responders and Firefighters, PAC, covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018. The Commission approved a finding related to increased activity (corrected). The final audit report will include recordkeeping for disbursements and use of designated depository in the Additional Issues section.

Proposed Final Audit Report on the US Veterans Assistance Foundation, PAC The Commission approved the Proposed Final Audit Report on the US Veterans Assistance Foundation, PAC, covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018. The Commission approved findings related to misstatement of financial activity, increased activity, disclosure of occupation and name of employer, and failure to file 24/48-hour reports. The final audit report will include disclosure of disbursements, and recordkeeping for disbursements and use of designated depository in the Additional Issues section.

Tribute to Vice Chair Steven T. Walther. Chairman Allen Dickerson announced that today’s open meeting would be the last for Vice Chair Walther, who is retiring at the end of the month. “I want to thank him on behalf of the Commission and the American people for his 16 years of service,” Chairman Dickerson said. “We are losing a great deal today.”

“No Commissioner in the recent history of this agency can match the depth and breadth of experience that Steve brought to this role,” Chairman Dickerson said, noting Vice Chair Walther’s long legal career, including leadership roles in the American Bar Association.

“He brought a gentleman’s manners to our discussions and won universal respect across the political spectrum for his toil in service to the rule of law, without fanfare or self-promotion.”

Commissioners Shana M. Broussard and Ellen L. Weintraub also paid tribute to Vice Chair Walther.