FEC Takes Final Action on Six Cases

For Immediate Release

Contact:  

Judith Ingram

June 15, 2009

Julia Queen

MUR 6134

RESPONDENT:

Cranley for Congress

COMPLAINANT:

FEC Initiated

SUBJECT:

In the normal course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, the Commission found that the Committee may have violated §§ 434(b), 441a(f) and 441a(a)(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), by accepting contributions in excess of the allowable limits and misreporting its cash on hand, receipts and disbursements. The Committee also allegedly failed to adequately disclose earmarked contributions and information on contributors’ employers and occupations as well as the Committee’s disbursements, debts and loans. John J. Cranley IV was a candidate for Ohio’s 1st Congressional District.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found reason to believe the Committee violated the law as detailed above. In a conciliation agreement, Cranley for Congress agreed to pay a civil penalty of $5,000. In addition, it agreed to pay as a civil penalty any funds remaining from $25,000 to be refunded to the Committee by its former treasurer to pay for the costs of correcting the Committee’s reports. The Committee also agreed to notify those contributors who made excessive contributions that it had presumptively redesignated or reattributed the excess portions.

MUR 6168

RESPONDENT:

Park Federal Savings Bank

COMPLAINANT:

FEC Initiated

SUBJECT:

In the normal course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, the Commission found that Park Federal Savings Bank, through its incorporated subsidiary, GPS Corporation, may have violated the Act by making contributions to state and local political committees. Under the Act, it is unlawful for national banks and federally chartered corporations to make contributions to any political committee.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found reason to believe that the respondent, Park Federal Savings Bank, violated the law because GPS Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was acting as an “agent, instrumentality or alter ego” of Park Federal Savings Bank, and it was therefore prohibited from making contributions in any election. In a conciliation agreement, the respondent agreed to pay a civil penalty of $2,400.

MUR 6044

RESPONDENT:

Ronnie Musgrove for Senate and C. Dale Shearer as Treasurer; Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and John B. Poersch, Jr., as Treasurer.

COMPLAINANT:

Austin F. Barbour for Wicker for Senate

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that an ad financed and run by the DSCC constituted a coordinated communication and that its value exceeded permissible limits for coordinated party expenditures or contributions. The complaint also alleged that the ad did not carry appropriate disclaimers.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found no reason to believe that the DSCC made or the Musgrove committee accepted an excessive contribution in the form of a coordinated television advertisement. The Commission, using its prosecutorial discretion, dismissed the allegation that the respondents did not display the proper disclaimer on ads.

MUR 6020

RESPONDENTS:

The Alliance for Climate Protection; Nancy Pelosi for Congress and Paul Pelosi, in his official capacity as treasurer; Rep. Nancy Pelosi

COMPLAINANT:

Judicial Watch; and self-reported by the Alliance for Climate Protection

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged: that broadcast and print ads that were funded by the Alliance for Climate Protection, featured Speaker Pelosi (CA-8), as well as former Speaker Newt Gingrich; that the ads ran within 90 days of a primary election in which Speaker Pelosi was a candidate; and that the ads constituted coordinated communications. The complaint alleged that the ads may have resulted in a prohibited, in-kind corporate contribution by the Alliance to Pelosi and her campaign committee. The complaint also alleged that Pelosi and the Committee treasurer failed to report the purported in-kind contribution.

OUTCOME:

Because the principal goal of the ads appeared to be to increase attention to a policy issue rather than candidate Pelosi, the Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion in consideration of the Commission’s resources and priorities and dismissed the case.

MUR 6098

RESPONDENTS:

Richard Hanna for Congress and Donald J. Robertello as Treasurer; and Richard Hanna.

COMPLAINANT:

Mitchell Ford

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Richard Hanna for Congress failed to include a properly formatted disclaimer on campaign literature. Hanna was a candidate in New York’s 24th Congressional District.

OUTCOME:

The Commission dismissed the matter and sent a letter of caution to Richard Hanna for Congress and Robertello, in his official capacity as treasurer, advising the Committee to take steps to ensure that its future conduct is in compliance with the Act and Commission regulations.

MUR 6160

RESPONDENTS:

Scott Pace and the State Park Peace Officers Association of California

COMPLAINANT:

Paul Edward Satkowski for the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that the State Park Peace Officers Association of California illegally reimbursed Pace for a contribution he made to a congressional campaign committee, thereby violating the provision of the Act that prohibits making a contribution in the name of another person.

OUTCOME:

In light of remedial action taken by Pace and the minimal amount at issue, the Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and sent a letter of caution to Pace and the Association, advising them to take steps to ensure that their future conduct is in compliance with the Act and Commission regulations.