FEC Takes Final Action on Six Cases

For Immediate Release

Contact:  

Judith Ingram

October 15, 2010

MUR 6207

RESPONDENTS:

Mark DeSaulnier; Mark DeSaulnier for Senate 2012; DeSaulnier for Congress and Rita Copeland, in her official capacity as treasurer; and Shara Perkins

COMPLAINANT:

Jason Adrian Bezis, Esq.

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that DeSaulnier, Mark DeSaulnier for Senate 2012, DeSaulnier for Congress and Rita Copeland, in her official capacity as treasurer, and Shara Perkins used non-federal funds for federal election activity, made excessive and prohibited contributions as a result of coordinated communications and failed to comply with the Act’s disclaimer requirements. DeSaulnier was a 2009 special election candidate for California''''s 10th Congressional District.

OUTCOME:

MUR 6247

RESPONDENTS:

Friends of David Smith and Lucie Weaver, in her official capacity as treasurer; David A. Smith; Anschutz Company; Clarity Digital Group, LLC; and www.examiner.com

COMPLAINANT:

Vickers L. Cunningham

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Anschutz Company and Clarity Digital Group, LLC, doing business as Examiner.com, made prohibited corporate contributions in connection with a coordinated communication by posting an announcement on the Examiner’s website that declared Smith’s candidacy and included information about a fundraiser. After receiving the complaint, the Examiner removed the announcement from its website. Smith was a 2010 primary election candidate for Texas’ 32nd Congressional District.

OUTCOME:

The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter in furtherance of the Commission’s priorities and resources relative to other matters.

MUR 6285

RESPONDENTS:

Dean Black for Congress and Wesley L. Bunce, in his official capacity as treasurer; Power Solutions Electric, Inc.; and TJSR Enterprises, Inc.

COMPLAINANT:

Bud Ahlheim

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Power Solutions Electric, Inc. and TJSR Enterprises, Inc. made and Dean Black for Congress and Bunce, in his official capacity as treasurer, accepted prohibited corporate contributions. The complaint alleged further that Dean Black for Congress filed its Statement of Organization late and failed to file a quarterly report in a timely manner.

OUTCOME:

The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter in light of the technical nature of the reporting violations and because Dean Black for Congress took remedial action by refunding the corporate contributions. The Commission reminded all respondents of the Act’s requirements concerning corporate contributions, and it reminded Dean Black for Congress and Bunce, in his official capacity as treasurer, of the Commission’s filing requirements.

MUR 6286

RESPONDENTS:

Our Democratic Organization and Jeffrey Bond, in his official capacity as treasurer

COMPLAINANT:

Franklin County Democratic Party

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Our Democratic Organization and Bond, in his official capacity as treasurer, failed to register and report as a political party despite distributing a mailer that contained expressly advocacated for both federal and state candidates.

OUTCOME:

The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter in light of the modest expenses associated with the mailer and in furtherance of the Commission’s priorities and resources relative to other matters.

MUR 6273

RESPONDENTS:

Art Robinson for Congress and Noah Edward Robinson, in his official capacity as treasurer; Arthur B. Robinson; Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine; Althouse Press; and Access to Energy

COMPLAINANT:

Democratic Party of Oregon by its Executive Director, Trent Lutz

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Robinson failed to file a Statement of Candidacy and that his campaign committee and Noah Edward Robinson, in his official capacity as treasurer, failed to file a Statement of Organization. The complaint alleged further that Art Robinson for Congress accepted prohibited contributions from the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine, Althouse Press, and Access to Energy.  Robinson is a 2010 candidate for Congress from Oregon’s 4th Congressional District.

OUTCOME:

The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion in light of the brief period that passed before the Statement of Candidacy and Statement of Organization were filed, because of the speculative nature of the remaining allegations, and in furtherance of the Commission’s priorities and resources relative to other matters. The Commission reminded the respondents of the Act’s requirements concerning initial filing requirements for candidates and committees.

MUR 6225

RESPONDENTS:

Shurtleff Joint Fund and Lynn Gilbert, in her official capacity as treasurer; Friends for Shurtleff and Lynn Gilbert, in her official capacity as treasurer; PAC for Utah’s Future; Mark L. Shurtleff; and Guidant Strategies

COMPLAINANTS:

Joseph E. Tesch

SUBJECT:

The complaint alleged that Friends for Shurtleff (FFS) and Gilbert, in her official capacity as treasurer, accepted impermissible funds from Shurtleff Joint Fund (SJF), a joint fundraising committee comprised of FFS and PAC for Utah’s Future.

The complaint further alleged that FFS accepted and Guidant Strategies, a Utah corporation, made prohibited in-kind contributions when it provided political consulting services to the committee. Additionally, the complaint alleged that SJF failed to disclose disbursements on its disclosure reports to the FEC regarding this activity. Shurtleff was a 2010 primary election candidate for Utah’s Senate seat.

OUTCOME: