FEC Takes Final Action on Six Cases

For Immediate Release

Contact:  

Judith Ingram

June 10, 2009

Julia Queen

MUR 5905

RESPONDENTS:

National Association of Social Workers, Inc. (NASW); National Association of Social Workers, Inc. Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) and Roderick F. O’Connor as Treasurer; Elizabeth J. Clark, NASW Executive Director; Kathleen Waugh, NASW Chief Operating Officer; Carolyn I. Polowy, NASW General Counsel; and Denise McKenzie, NASW Acting Controller.

COMPLAINANT:

Ikeita Cantu Hinojosa

SUBJECT:

The complaint questioned whether NASW deposited contributions to PACE, its separate segregated fund, on time and alleged that it improperly used contributions to cover administration overhead expenses, as well as to help pay the Association’s pension costs. It alleged further that NASW was not reporting its expenditures in a timely way, and that it was billing PACE for non-election-related expenditures and charging it excessive rent.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found reason to believe that NASW failed to transmit contributions to PACE in a timely manner and PACE and O’Connor, in his official capacity as treasurer, failed to follow the contribution collection and transmittal procedures that are required so that the collecting agent does not have reporting requirements. The Commission accepted a conciliation agreement with NASW, PACE and O’Connor. NASW agreed to pay a civil penalty of $11,000 and PACE and O’Connor agreed to pay a civil penalty of $2,500. The Commission found no reason to believe the other respondents violated the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act).

MUR 6079

RESPONDENTS:

Democratic Freshmen Political Action Committee and James Smith in his official capacity as treasurer; Democrats Win Seats Political Action Committee and Lawrence Wasserman in his official capacity as treasurer; Victory in November Election Political Action Committee and Brian Kelly in his official capacity as treasurer; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20); and Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-1).

COMPLAINANT:

National Republican Congressional Committee

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that the three political action committees failed to register as affiliated political committees and file reports with the FEC, which would have made them subject to a single contribution limit. It also alleged that they accepted and made excessive contributions, and that Schultz and Thompson had used the PACs to evade contribution limits.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found no reason to believe that the three committees, Wasserman Schultz or Thompson violated the Act because there was an insufficient factual basis for finding affiliation between the committees.

MUR 6071

RESPONDENTS:

Kirk for Congress and Luke Praxmarer in his official capacity as treasurer

COMPLAINANT:

Walter Salganik

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that the Kirk for Congress Committee and Praxmarer, as treasurer, failed to include a proper disclaimer on an electronically distributed flier seeking campaign canvassers. Rep. Kirk was a candidate for Illinois’ 10th Congressional District.

OUTCOME:

The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter in recognition of the possibility that the email at issue could have had a limited distribution pattern and, therefore, may or may not have fallen under the disclaimer provisions of the Act.

MUR 6118

RESPONDENTS:

Bob Roggio for Congress and Alexander F. Smith as Treasurer

COMPLAINANT:

Jim Gerlach; and Jim Gerlach for Congress Committee

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Bob Roggio for Congress and Smith, in his official capacity as treasurer, failed to include disclaimers on printed campaign communications. Roggio was a general election candidate in Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District.

OUTCOME:

The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter in light of the Committee’s response to the allegations and the timely corrective action taken, and sent a letter of caution to the Committee and its treasurer.

MUR 6130

RESPONDENTS:

Roy Carter for Congress and John C. Rhineberger as Treasurer

COMPLAINANT:

Mara Long

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Roy Carter for Congress Committee and Rhineberger, in his official capacity as treasurer, failed to timely file 48 hour notices of receipts of $1,000 or more. Carter was a general election candidate in North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District.

OUTCOME:

The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter due to the low level of activity at issue and sent a letter of caution to the Committee and its treasurer.

MUR 6047

RESPONDENTS:

Vernon Jones for Georgia and Patricia Moore as Treasurer

COMPLAINANT:

Edward B. Hula II

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Vernon Jones for Georgia and Moore, in her official capacity as treasurer, violated the Act by failing to include disclaimers on campaign advertisements and materials identifying who paid for the message. Jones was a candidate in Georgia’s primary election for U.S. Senate.

OUTCOME:

The Commission closed the file.