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 4428

RESPONDENTS: (a) Amway Corporation (MI)

(b) Republican National Committee, Alec Poitevint, treasurer (DC)

(c) Haley Barbour (DC)

(d) San Diego Convention and Tourist Bureau d/b/a San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau (CA)

COMPLAINANTS: Democratic National Committee, Donald L. Fowler, former National

Chair (DC)

SUBJECT: Corporate contributions

DISPOSITION: (a-d) No reason to believe*

2.. MUR 4577

RESPONDENTS: (a) Ross Perot (TX)

(b) Perot Reform Committee, J. Michael Poss, treasurer (TX)

(c) Perot ’96, J. Michael Poss, treasurer (TX)

(d) R. Clayton Mulford (TX)

(e) Russell L. Verney (TX)

COMPLAINANT: Miriam Nalebuff Grayboff (GA)

SUBJECT: Excessive contributions; exceeding the annual $25,000 contribution limit

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

3. MUR 4858

RESPONDENT: AOPA (Airline Owners and Pilots Association) Legislative Action PAC, Roger C. Myers, Jr., treasurer (DC)

COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (RAD)

SUBJECT: Failure to file disclosure report timely

DISPOSITION: Conciliation Agreement: $ 1,200 civil penalty*

*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.