FEC Takes Final Action on Six Cases

For Immediate Release

Contact:  

Judith Ingram

August 9, 2010

MUR 5955

RESPONDENTS:

Dr. Jose Valdez; Steve Melody; Joan Melody; Mike Ramseier; Janie Ramseier; and Rosario Chavez

COMPLAINANT:

Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee, Inc. (RGPC)

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Dr. Jose Valdez, former WellPoint Senior Vice President for Health Care, reimbursed $11,500 in contributions to RGPC made in the names of WellPoint employees Mike Ramseier, Steve Melody and Rosario Chavez and their spouses, Janie Ramseier and Joan Melody, with his own funds.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found reason to believe that Dr. Valdez knowingly and willfully violated the Act by making prohibited contributions in the name of another and making excessive contributions. In a conciliation agreement, Dr. Valdez agreed to pay a civil penalty of $30,000. The Commission closed the file with respect to the other respondents.

MUR 6242

RESPONDENTS:

J.D. Hayworth 2010 and Kelly Lawler, in her official capacity as treasurer; and Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

COMPLAINANTS:

Grant Woods

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Clear Channel Communications, Inc. made, and J.D. Hayworth 2010 and Lawler, in her official capacity as treasurer, accepted in-kind corporate contributions when Hayworth, through his radio show, allegedly promoted his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. Hayworth is a 2010 primary election candidate for Arizona’s Senate seat.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found reason no reason to believe the respondents violated the Act because the broadcasts in question qualified for the press exemption under the Act.

MUR 6038

RESPONDENTS:

Doug Lamborn; Lamborn for Congress and Kathleen Ann Rockefeller, in her official capacity as treasurer; Club for Growth State Action; Christian Coalition of Colorado, its president Chuck Gosnell and executive director Mark Hotaling; Liberty Service Corporation and its president Jonathan Hotaling; Tactical Data Solutions (TDS), Inc. and its president Tom Bjorklund; and Blue Point, LLC and its principal Christopher Baker

COMPLAINANT:

Matthew J. Werner

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Lamborn for Congress and Rockefeller, in her official capacity as treasurer, coordinated communications with Club for Growth State Action and Christian Coalition of Colorado during Lamborn’s 2006 campaign for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, resulting in prohibited in-kind contributions and reporting violations.

OUTCOME:

The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the case concerning Christian Coalition of Colorado and Lamborn for Congress and its treasurer. The Commission found no reason to believe a violation occurred in connection with Club for Growth State Action, Tactical Data Solutions, Inc., Blue Point, LLC, Liberty Service Corp., Bjorklund, Baker, Jonathan Hotaling, Mark Hotaling, Gosnell, Lamborn and Lamborn for Congress and its treasurer.

MUR 6216

RESPONDENTS:

Martha Coakley; Coakley for Senate and Nathaniel C. Stinnet, in his official capacity as treasurer; and Coakley (State) Committee.

COMPLAINANT:

Massachusetts Republican Party by its Executive Director, Nicholas L. Connors

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Coakley, Attorney General of Massachusetts, used her state campaign account to pay for consultants that benefited her federal campaign for the U.S. Senate. The complaint also alleged that Coakley’s state campaign purchased assets that were then transferred to her federal committee. Coakley was a 2010 general election candidate for Massachusetts’s Senate seat.

OUTCOME:

The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed one allegation in connection with the hiring of consultants. The Commission found no reason to believe the respondents violated Commission regulations or the Act, in connection with the allegation that Coakley’s state campaign made a prohibited transfer of assets to her federal campaign.

MUR 6217

RESPONDENTS:

Commerce, Hope, Innovation & Progress PAC (CHIP PAC) and Danna S. Lane, in her official capacity as treasurer; Haleys PAC and Henry Barbour, in his official capacity as treasurer; David Vitter for U.S. Senate and William J. Vanderbrook, in his official capacity as treasurer; and Chip Pickering

COMPLAINANT:

Louisiana Democratic Party and Chris Whittington, Chair

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that CHIP PAC made a $5,000 contribution in the name of Haley’s PAC to David Vitter for U.S. Senate.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found no reason to believe that David Vitter for U.S. Senate and Vanderbrook, in his official capacity as treasurer, violated the Act or Commission regulations. The Commission dismissed the matter pertaining to the other respondents in furtherance of Commission priorities and resources related to other matters and because the contributions from CHIP PAC to Haley’s PAC, and from Haley’s PAC to David Vitter for U.S. Senate, were disclosed and did not result in excessive or prohibited contributions.

MUR 6290

RESPONDENTS:

Project Vote; and Karyn Gillette

COMPLAINANT:

Self initiated

SUBJECT:

Project Vote and Gillette, the former Development Director, disclosed information to the Commission that Project Vote and Gillette solicited individuals whose names appeared on a political committee disclosure report obtained from the FEC website.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found reason to believe Project Vote violated the Act. In a conciliation agreement, Project Vote agreed to pay a civil penalty of $2,200. The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the allegations against Gillette because it appears she was acting solely in her capacity as an agent of Project Vote in violating the Act.