Weekly Digest
Week of April 27 - May 1
COMMISSION MEETINGS AND HEARINGS
No Commission open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
ENFORCEMENT
The Commission made public two Statements of Reasons, as follows. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System.
MUR 6678 – Mindgeek S.A.R.L. f.k.a. Manwin Licensing International S.A.R.L.; Mindgeek USA Incorporated f.k.a. Manwin USA, Inc.; Fabian Thylmann; Andrew Link; Froytal Services Limited; No on Government Waste/No on Measure B – Major Funding by Manwin USA. On April 30, Vice Chairman Matthew S. Petersen and Commissioners Caroline C. Hunter and Lee E. Goodman issued a Statement of Reasons. On May 1, Commissioner Goodman issued a Supplemental Statement of Reasons.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
The Commission made public two campaign finance enforcement matters that were resolved through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program, as follows. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System.
ADR 741 – CE Action Committee and Rita Copeland, in her official capacity as treasurer. The respondent agreed to (1) pay a civil penalty of $2,853.64 and (2) certify the closure of the Committee’s federal account(s) and work with Commission staff to terminate the Committee’s political committee status and reporting obligations with the Commission.
ADR 743 – New Hampshire Democratic Party and Brian Rapp, in his official capacity as treasurer. The respondent agreed to (1) designate a compliance specialist, (2) amend 2009-2010 reports to address any inadequate responses to requests for additional information from the Reports Analysis Division, and (3) pay a civil penalty of $4,375.
AUDITS AND COMMISSIONERS’ STATEMENT OF REASONS
Final Audit Report of the Commission on Amodei for Nevada. On April 27, the Commission issued the Final Audit Report of the Commission on Amodei for Nevada, covering campaign finance activity between May 11, 2011 and December 31, 2012. The Commission approved a finding related to the misstatement of financial activity.
Final Audit Report of the Commission on the South Dakota Democratic Party. On April 27, the Commission issued the Final Audit Report of the Commission on the South Dakota Democratic Party, covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. The Commission approved findings related to (1) the misstatement of financial activity for calendar years 2009 and 2010, (2) recordkeeping for employees totaling $42,557 in payroll allocated between federal and nonfederal funds and $2,399 paid from an exclusively nonfederal account during periods in which the employee was also paid with federal funds, (3) the reporting of coordinated party expenditures, (4) contributions from unregistered political organizations, and (5) disclosure of occupation and employer information in connection with contributions totaling $30,702. The report also addresses additional issues regarding recordkeeping for employees paid exclusively with nonfederal funds totaling $15,187. Chair Ann M. Ravel and Commissioners Steven T. Walther and Ellen L. Weintraub issued a Statement of Reasons.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
On April 29, the Commission hosted a Webinar for Trade Association PACs.
OUTREACH
On April 27, Chair Ravel gave a guest lecture to students at the University of California, Santa Cruz on campaign finance, transparency and accountability processes.
On April 28, Communications Specialist Jonella Culmer discussed campaign finance law and Commission operations with participants in the Washington Public Policy Program.
On April 29, Commissioner Weintraub gave a lecture entitled “From Citizens United to McCutcheon: Money, Elections, and the Future of American Democracy” to students and members of the local community at St. Mary''''s College of Maryland.
On May 1, Chair Ravel attended a hackathon entitled “Creating a 21st Century Congress” in Washington, DC. The event was organized by the OpenGovFoundation and the Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS
The Commission posted the filing deadlines for the Special Election in Illinois’ 18th Congressional District. For information on reporting dates for this election, refer to the Special Election Report Notice.
UPCOMING COMMISSION MEETINGS AND HEARINGS
May 6: The Commission is scheduled to hold an open audit hearing on Gary Johnson 2012, Inc.
May 19: The Commission is scheduled to hold an executive session.
May 21: The Commission is scheduled to hold an executive session and an open meeting.
Meeting dates are subject to change. Please contact the Press Office the week of the scheduled meeting for confirmation.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 12: Chair Ravel will host a Public Forum on Women in Politics to begin an open discussion with scholars, social scientists, political practitioners and the public on the significant under-representation of women in politics at all levels of government. The event is free and open to the public. If you would like to attend the forum in person or participate via webcast, or if you are unable to attend but would like to submit written comments, please email CommissionerRavel@fec.gov. The event''''s website will have updates on the event and information about participating online.
UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
May 13: Webinar for Party Committees. Additional information is available on the Educational Outreach page of the Commission website.
June 3: Webinar for Campaign Committees. Additional information is available on the Educational Outreach page of the Commission website.
UPCOMING REPORTING DUE DATES
May 20: May Monthly Reports are due. For more information on monthly reporting dates, refer to the 2015 Monthly Reporting page of the Commission website.
OTHER RESOURCES
The 2015 edition of the Combined Federal State Disclosure and Election Directory is available in the Public Records section of the Commission website. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives and other financial filings.
The 2015 edition of the Federal Election Campaign Finance Laws is available on the Commission website and in print. The compilation contains all federal campaign finance laws (including a conversion table showing the recent changes from Title 2 U.S.C. to Title 52 U.S.C.). To order a copy at no charge, contact the Commission''''s Information Division at (800) 424-9530 (press 6, when prompted) or email info@fec.gov.
The 2014 edition of Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations can be downloaded from the website. To order printed copies, call (800) 424-9530 (press 6) or send an email to info@fec.gov.
The 2014 Legislative Recommendations are available on the Commission’s website.
The 2014 edition of the Federal Election Commission Campaign Guide for Congressional Candidates and Committees is available on the Commission’s website.
The August 2013 edition of the Federal Election Commission Campaign Guide for Political Party Committees is available on the Commission’s website.
The Official 2012 Presidential General Election Results are available in the Library section of the website. This listing was compiled from the official election results published by state election offices.
The Commission has published the 2015 Record Index page. An index to previously published Record news articles is available on the Commission website. The Record news page is available in the Publications section of the Commission website. Sign up to receive email notification when new articles are posted.
The FEC Annual Reports from 1975-2006 are available on the website. Beginning in 2007, the Commission consolidated its Annual Report with its Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) to provide a single account of the agency’s activities for each fiscal year.
Instructional videos are available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/FECTube?feature=watch. These videos are also available on the Commission’s E-Learning resources page at http://www.fec.gov/info/elearning.shtml.
Follow us on Twitter - http://twitter.com/fec
|
