FEC Takes Final Action on Six Cases

For Immediate Release

Contact:  

Judith Ingram

June 4 , 2009

Julia Queen

MUR 5939

RESPONDENTS:

The New York Times Company; MoveOn.org Political Action and Wes Boyd as Treasurer

COMPLAINANT:

American Conservative Union, Inc., by its Chairman, David A. Keene

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that The New York Times Company made a corporate in-kind contribution to MoveOn.org Political Action and Boyd, in his official capacity as treasurer, when it charged less than the usual and normal rate for a full-page newspaper advertisement.  Under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), the donation and acceptance of corporate contributions in connect with federal elections is prohibited.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found no reason to believe the respondents violated the Act because it appeared that the amount MoveOn.org Political Action paid for the advertisement was at the usual and normal rate.

MUR 5942

RESPONDENTS:

The New York Times Company; Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee, Inc. and John H. Gross as Treasurer

COMPLAINANT:

Lane Hudson

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that The New York Times Company made a corporate in-kind contribution to the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee, Inc. and Gross, in his official capacity as treasurer, when it charged a rate that was less than the usual and normal cost for a full-page newspaper advertisement.  Under the Act, the donation and acceptance of corporate contributions in connection with federal elections is prohibited.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found no reason to believe the respondents violated the Act because it appeared that the amount the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee paid for the advertisement was at the usual and normal rate.

MUR 6105

RESPONDENTS:

Republican National Committee and Tim Morgan as Treasurer; Governor Sarah Palin

COMPLAINANTS:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and Melanie Sloan as Executive Director

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Palin, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Morgan, in his official capacity as treasurer, violated the personal use provision of the Act by using campaign funds to pay for clothing and accessories for Palin and her family following her nomination as vice-presidential candidate.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found no reason to believe the respondents violated the Act because the prohibition on personal use of campaign funds applies only to campaign committees of federal candidates. Since the RNC used its own funds to purchase the clothing and accessories, and used none from the candidate’s campaign account, no such violation occurred.

MUR 6119

RESPONDENTS:

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen - Local Division 662

COMPLAINANT:

James E. Mather

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) - Local 662, affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union, made prohibited contributions by using union dues to pay members to campaign for the Democratic Party.

OUTCOME:

The Commission found no reason to believe BLET violated the Act because the communications, which sought campaign volunteers, were made member-to-member and did not reach beyond BLET’s restricted class. In addition, the Commission had no information to indicate BLET paid members to take part in campaigning.

MUR 6096

RESPONDENTS:

Americans for Limited Government Research Foundation; Americans for Limited Government, Inc. and Howard Rich, Chairman

COMPLAINANT:

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that the Americans for Limited Government groups used information on donors to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), which it likely obtained from the DSCC’s FEC filings, purportedly to harass and threaten donors.

OUTCOME:

The Commission closed the file.

MUR 6062

RESPONDENTS:

Harry Truman Fund and Jason Bennett as Treasurer; and Gary Scarola, Executive Director

COMPLAINANT:

Christopher S. Morgan

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Harry Truman Fund, a state-registered political action committee, violated the Act by using nonfederal funds to pay for a mailer that constituted federal election activity and advocated the election of federal candidates. The mailer was distributed to voters before the 2008 state primary, which included state and federal candidates. The complaint also alleged that Harry Truman Fund failed to register and file required reports with the Commission despite surpassing the Act’s political committee status thresholds.

OUTCOME:

The Commission closed the file.