For Immediate Release |
Contact: |
Judith Ingram |
February 4, 2010 |
| Julia Queen |
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| Christian Hilland |
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FEC TAKES FINAL ACTION ON FIVE CASES
WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission recently made public its final action on five matters under review (MURs). In one matter, respondents agreed to pay a civil penalty of $10,900 and refund or disgorge to the U.S. Treasury $37,950. In another matter, respondents agreed to a conciliation agreement that did not provide for a civil penalty. The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the other three matters.
Under the law, the FEC must attempt to resolve its enforcement cases, or MURs, through a confidential investigative process that may lead to a negotiated conciliation agreement between the Commission and the individual or group.Additional information regarding MURs can be found on the FEC web site at http://www.fec.gov/em/mur.shtml.
This release contains only summary information.For additional details, please consult publicly available documents for each case in the Enforcement Query System (EQS) on the FEC web site at http://eqs.fec.gov/eqs/searcheqs.
MUR 6060 |
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RESPONDENTS: |
Citizens for Arlen Specter and Stephen Harmelin, in his official capacity as treasurer |
COMPLAINANTS: |
FEC Initiated |
SUBJECT: |
In the normal course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, the Commission found that Citizens for Arlen Specter and Harmelin, in his official capacity as treasurer, accepted excessive contributions from individuals and political committees during the 2004 election cycle. Specter was a candidate in Pennsylvania’s 2004 Senate race. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission found reason to believe the respondents violated the Act. In a conciliation agreement, respondents agreed to pay a civil penalty of $10,900 and refund or disgorge to the U.S. Treasury $37,950.
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MUR 6219 |
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RESPONDENTS: |
Kuhl for Congress and Sharon A. Gunsolus, in her official capacity as treasurer |
COMPLAINANTS: |
FEC Initiated |
SUBJECT: |
In the normal course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, the Commission found that Kuhl for Congress and Gunsolus, in her official capacity as treasurer, accepted prohibited in-kind contributions from the candidate’s State committee during the 2004 election cycle. Former Representative Kuhl was a candidate in 2004 for New York’s 29th Congressional District. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission found reason to believe the respondents violated the Act. The Commission agreed to accept a conciliation agreement providing for the treasurer to attend an FEC conference in the event the candidate runs again for federal office.
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MUR 6231 |
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RESPONDENTS: |
Glenn Marshall |
COMPLAINANTS: |
FEC Initiated |
SUBJECT: |
In the normal course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, the Commission became aware that Marshall, former chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council, Inc, knowingly and willfully made and encouraged others to make contributions to federal candidates, which he allegedly reimbursed using corporate funds derived from the tribe. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter because Marshall, currently serving a three and one-half year prison sentence, already is required to pay restitution for $383,000 in embezzled tribal funds and to repay $80,000 to the Social Security Administration.
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MUR 6232 |
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RESPONDENTS: |
Gladwin Gill |
COMPLAINANTS: |
FEC Initiated |
SUBJECT: |
In the normal course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, the Commission became aware that Gill knowingly and willfully made contributions to federal candidates in the name of other individuals. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter because Gill, currently serving a prison sentence of 12 months and one day, is already required to pay a fine of $200,100 and because the statute of limitations on his illegal contributions has expired or will expire shortly. |
MUR 6233 |
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RESPONDENTS: |
Norman Hsu |
COMPLAINANTS: |
FEC Initiated |
SUBJECT: |
In the normal course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, the Commission became aware that Hsu knowingly and willfully made contributions in the name of others to federal candidates and committees. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the case in part because Hsu has been sentenced to more than 24 years in prison, including four years for campaign finance violations, and because of his inability to pay a civil penalty. |
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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