FEC Releases Three Compliance Cases

FEC RELEASES THREE COMPLIANCE CASES

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission has 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. (Please see footnote at the end of this release.) Closed MUR files are available in the Public Records Office.

1. MUR 4632

RESPONDENTS: Nevada State Republican Central Committee, Ronald F. Ryan, treasurer (NV)

COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (RAD)

SUBJECT: Failure to file disclosure reports timely; failure to amend Statement of Organization timely; received contributions and made expenditures without authorization of treasurer during periods in which treasurer’s position was vacant

DISPOSITION: Conciliation Agreement: $50,000 civil penalty*

2. MUR 4710

RESPONDENTS: (a) Ruben Hinojosa for Congress, Vickie L. Winpisinger,

treasurer (TX)

(b) Alonzo Cantu Construction, Inc. and Alonzo Cantu, as an officer (TX)

(c) Chase Bank of Texas, N.A. (f/k/a Texas Commerce Bank, N.A.) (TX)

COMPLAINANTS: Tom Haughey, Tom Haughey for Congress (TX)

SUBJECT: Corporate contributions/corporate facilitation; foreign national contributions

DISPOSITION: (a) No reason to believe*

[re: corporate contributions/corporate facilitation; foreign national contributions]

(b) No reason to believe*

[re: corporate contributions]

(c) No reason to believe*

[corporate facilitation; foreign national contributions]

3. MUR 4876

RESPONDENTS: (a) Cadeau Express, Inc. (NV)

(b) Ramon Desage (NV)

COMPLAINANTS: Referral by Craig C. Donsanto, Director, Election Crimes Branch, Public Integrity Section, U. S. Department of Justice

SUBJECT: Corporate contributions/contributions in the names of others

DISPOSITION: (a) Conciliation Agreement: $10,000 civil penalty*

(Knowing and willful)

(b) Conciliation Agreement: $10,000 civil penalty*

(Knowing and willful)

*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.

# # #