For Immediate Release |
Contact: |
Judith Ingram |
July 8, 2010 |
| Julia Queen |
| |
| Christian Hilland |
| |
| Mary Brandenberger |
FEC TAKES FINAL ACTION ON SIX CASES
WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission recently made public its final action on six matters under review (MURs). In three matters, the Commission found no reason to believe there was a violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act). The Commission dismissed two matters and closed the file in another matter.
Under the law, the FEC must attempt to resolve its enforcement cases, or MURs, through a confidential investigative process that may lead to a negotiated conciliation agreement between the Commission and the individual or group.Additional information regarding MURs can be found on the FEC web site at http://www.fec.gov/em/mur.shtml.
This release contains only summary information.For additional details, please consult publicly available documents for each case in the Enforcement Query System (EQS) on the FEC web site at http://eqs.fec.gov/eqs/searcheqs.
MUR 6244 |
|
RESPONDENTS: |
Charlie Crist for US Senate and Frederick Carroll III, in his official capacity as treasurer; Richard J. Heffley; Heffley and Associates, Inc.; Strategic Direction.com, Inc.; and Republican Party of Florida and Joel Pate, in his official capacity as treasurer |
COMPLAINANT: |
Elizabeth S. Wessel |
SUBJECT: |
The complaint alleged that a website launched by Heffley lacked a requisite disclaimer and constituted a coordinated communication, as well as possibly an illegal corporate contribution to Charlie Crist for US Senate. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission found no reason to believe the respondents violated the Act because the Commission’s regulations provide that volunteer internet activities by an individual or group of individuals, whether acting individually or in coordination with a candidate or committee, do not require disclaimers and do not constitute contributions.
|
MUR 6220 |
|
RESPONDENTS: |
Obama Victory Fund and Andrew Tobias, in his official capacity as treasurer; and Julie Walden |
COMPLAINANT: |
Paul Kromberg |
SUBJECT: |
The complaint alleged that Obama Victory Fund, Tobias, in his official capacity as treasurer, and Walden solicited contribution limits in excess of the individual contribution limits in the Act. The Obama Victory Fund is a joint fundraising committee comprised of Obama for America and the Democratic National Committee. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission found no reason to believe the respondents violated the Act or Commission regulations because their solicitation complied with the Act and Commission regulations related to contribution limits and joint fundraising.
|
MUR 5879 |
|
RESPONDENTS: |
Harry Mitchell for Congress and John Bebbling, in his official capacity as treasurer; and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Jonathan S. Vogel, in his official capacity as treasurer |
COMPLAINANT: |
J.D. Hayworth for Congress |
SUBJECT: |
The complaint alleged that Harry Mitchell for Congress, Bebbling, in his official capacity as treasurer, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and Vogel, in his official capacity as treasurer, illegally coordinated a DCCC television advertisement featuring Mitchell by republishing campaign materials prepared by Mitchell’s campaign. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission found no reason to believe Harry Mitchell for Congress and its treasurer violated the Act because there was insufficient information to establish any coordination. The Commission previously found reason to believe the DCCC violated the Act in connection with allegations of the republication of Mitchell campaign materials. After an investigation, the Commission closed the file concerning the DCCC and its treasurer. |
MUR 6252 |
|
RESPONDENTS: |
A.J. Otjen for Congress/Committee to Elect A.J. Otjen, and Agnes J. Otjen, in her official capacity as treasurer; and Agnes J. Otjen |
COMPLAINANT: |
Joe Bailey |
SUBJECT: |
The complaint alleged that A.J. Otjen for Congress/Committee to Elect A.J. Otjen failed to include proper disclaimers on written campaign communications and radio advertisements. Otjen was a candidate for Montana’s At-Large Congressional District. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission dismissed the matter in furtherance of Commission priorities and resources related to other matters and because it appeared that the written campaign communications did not require disclaimers and that any violations related to the radio advertisements were technical in nature and unintentional. The Commission sent a letter to A.J. Otjen for Congress/Committee to Elect A.J. Otjen, reminding the committee of requirements concerning the use of appropriate disclaimers.
|
MUR 6258 |
|
RESPONDENTS: |
Liberatore for Congress Committee and Louis G. Baglietto, Jr., in his official capacity as treasurer; and Philip Liberatore |
COMPLAINANT: |
K. Wilson |
SUBJECT: |
The complaint alleged that the Liberatore for Congress Committee and Baglietto, in his official capacity as treasurer, failed to register with the FEC in a timely manner. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission dismissed the case in furtherance of Commission priorities and resources related to other matters. |
| |
|
MUR 6002 |
|
RESPONDENTS: |
Freedom’s Watch, Inc. |
COMPLAINANT: |
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee |
SUBJECT: |
The complaint alleged that Freedom’s Watch, Inc. made a prohibited disbursement for an electioneering communication and failed to make required disclosures on funding sources. |
OUTCOME: |
The Commission closed the file.
|
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. Established in 1975, the FEC is composed of six Commissioners who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
# # #
|
