FEC Takes Action on Audit Report for Congressional Candidate

FEC TAKES ACTION ON AUDIT REPORT FOR CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE

WASHINGTON – At its open meeting today, the Federal Election Commission commenced discussion of an Advisory Opinion Request by Sen. John Kerry (MA) and his principal campaign committee, John Kerry for Senate Committee. Advisory Opinion Request 2009-11 asks whether the Committee can use campaign funds to assist a film production company with the development costs of a documentary.

The Commission did not take action on the Advisory Opinion Request but determined instead to continue discussion of the request at the Commission’s next open meeting. The Commission also invited the requestor and the public to file comments on publicly released alternative draft Advisory Opinions, which are available on the Commission’s web site at www.fec.gov/law/law.shtml.

The Commission also voted to adopt three proposed findings in an audit report for Ciro D. Rodriguez for Congress (TX-23). The three findings concerned (1) a misstatement of financial activity, (2) failure to file 48-hour notices and (3) acceptance of impermissible contributions. The Commission also adopted a fourth proposed finding concerning the impermissible receipt and use of funds, but amended that finding with respect to the issue of personal use.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. Established in 1975, the FEC is composed of six Commissioners who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

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