Week of June 16 - June 20, 2014

Weekly Digest

Week of June 16 – 20

COMMISSION MEETINGS AND HEARINGS

No Commission open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.

ENFORCEMENT

The Commission made public four closed cases, as follows. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System.

MUR 6413
COMPLAINANTS: Alissa Ko and California Young Democrats
RESPONDENT: Taxpayer Network
SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that Taxpayer Network, a now-dissolved group formed under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, failed to file electioneering communication reports disclosing two television advertisements and provided insufficient disclaimers for the communications.
DISPOSITION: The Commission found probable cause that Taxpayer Network failed to file electioneering communication reports and to comply fully with the disclaimer requirements for electioneering communications. The Commission entered into a conciliation agreement providing for Taxpayer Network to pay a civil penalty of $5,000.

MUR 6595
COMPLAINANT: Michael J. Barkley
RESPONDENT: Denham for Congress and David Bauer, in his official capacity as treasurer
SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that Denham for Congress and Bauer, in his official capacity as treasurer, (the Committee) failed to report disbursements to the owners of the commercial properties where the Committee erected campaign signs and failed to disclose the fair market value of the advertising space as an in-kind contribution. Jeff Denham was a 2012 candidate for California’s 10th Congressional District.
DISPOSITION: The Commission dismissed the allegations in light of the nature of the alleged facts and circumstances and in consideration of Commission priorities.

MUR 6614
COMPLAINANT: Robert A. Roberts, on behalf of the East Valley Taxpayers Coalition
RESPONDENTS: Imus for Congress and Chad Hanely, in his official capacity as treasurer; and Gregg Imus
SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that Imus for Congress and Hanely, in his official capacity as treasurer, (the Committee) and Imus failed to file a 12-Day Pre-Primary Report. Gregg Imus was a 2012 primary candidate for California’s 8th Congressional District.
DISPOSITION: The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter in light of the Committee’s apparent lack of activity and in consideration of Commission priorities. The Commission sent a letter reminding the committee of the requirements concerning the filing of filing financial disclosure reports.

MUR 6774
COMPLAINANT: FEC-Initiated
RESPONDENT: Liberatore for Congress-2012 and Louis G. Baglietto, Jr., in his official capacity as treasurer
SUBJECT: In the normal course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, the Commission initiated proceedings to determine whether there was reason to believe that Liberatore for Congress-2012 and Baglietto, in his official capacity as treasurer, (the Committee) failed to disclose $150,000 in receipts in a 12-Day Pre-Primary Report. Philip L. Liberatore was a 2012 primary candidate for California’s 8th Congressional District.
DISPOSITION: The Commission entered into a conciliation agreement providing for the Committee to pay a civil penalty of $7,000.

LITIGATION

Rufer, et al. v. FEC (Case 1:14-cv-00837-CRC). On June 18, the plaintiffs filed a Reply Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Plaintiffs'''' Motion for Preliminary Injunction in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Stop Reckless Economic Instability caused by Democrats, et al. v. FEC (Case 1:14-cv-00397-AJT-IDD). On June 16, the Commission filed its Answer to Plaintiffs’ Complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. On June 18, the Court issued an Order granting the Commission''''s Motion to Allow Time for Discovery under Rule 56(d) and denying plaintiffs'''' Motion for Summary Judgment.

COMMISSIONERS’ STATEMENT

On June 17, Vice Chair Ann M. Ravel and Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub issued a Statement on Judicial Review of Deadlocked Votes.

OUTREACH

On June 18, Vice Chair Ann M. Ravel discussed campaign finance law and civic engagement at a Rotary Club of Morgan Hill, CA luncheon.

On June 19, Chairman Lee E. Goodman discussed the role and work of the Commission at an American Farm Bureau Federation conference.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

On June 19, the Commission hosted a Webinar on July Quarterly Reporting for Candidate Committees.

On June 19, the Commission hosted a Webinar on FECFile for Candidate Committees.

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

On June 19, the Commission’s Office of Inspector General made public its FEC Compliance with FMFIA/OMB Circular A-123 Inspection Report.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS

June 20: June Monthly Reports were due.

UPCOMING COMMISSION MEETINGS

June 24: The Commission is scheduled to hold an executive session.

June 26: The Commission is scheduled to hold an open meeting.

UPCOMING REPORTING DUE DATES

July 15: July Quarterly Reports are due. For more information on quarterly reporting dates, refer to the 2014 Quarterly Reporting page of the Commission website.

July 20: July Monthly Reports are due. For more information on monthly reporting dates, refer to the 2014 Monthly Reporting page of the Commission website

UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

June 25, Federal Election Commission, Washington, D.C. Webinar on July Quarterly Reporting for PACs and Party Committees.

June 25, Federal Election Commission, Washington, D.C. Webinar on FECFile for PACs and Party Committees.

OTHER RESOURCES

The 2014 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 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 2013 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 now 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.

An index to Record news articles published 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 now 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

Users of smartphones and other mobile devices may access our mobile interface at http://www.fec.gov/mobile/