Weekly Digest Week of May 2 - 6
COMMISSION MEETINGS
On May 3, the Commission held an Executive Session. Click here for Sunshine Act Notices for Executive Sessions. On May 5, the Commission held an Open Meeting. Click here for agendas and related documents for open meetings. Click here for audio recordings for selected meetings, hearings and presentations. ENFORCEMENT The Commission made public three closed cases. MUR 6311 RESPONDENT: Americans for Prosperity COMPLAINANT: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee by its executive director, Jon Vogel SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that Americans for Prosperity (AFP) failed to report to the Commission independent expenditures for television advertisements that expressly advocated the defeat of three candidates, and failed to include disclaimers on the ads. The complaint alleged further that if the ads did not constitute independent expenditures, they may have been coordinated in-kind contributions. Finally, the complaint alleged that the ads triggered political committee status for AFP but that the organization did not register and report as such with the Commission. DISPOSITION: The Commission found no reason to believe AFP violated the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), because the ads did not constitute express advocacy under either 11 C.F.R. § 100.22(a) or (b) and because the complaint did not provide any specific evidence of coordination or analysis under the payment, content and conduct prongs of the regulations. MUR 6338 RESPONDENTS: Dan Powers, Dan Powers for Congress and Candace Robinson, in her official capacity as treasurer COMPLAINANT: Carolyn Sampson SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that Dan Powers for Congress and Robinson, in her official capacity as treasurer, may have inaccurately reported certain loans as having been made by the candidate and may have failed to disclose disbursements for certain campaign expenses. Powers was a 2010 candidate for Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District. DISPOSITION: The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter (1) because there was insufficient information to conclude that Powers lacked sufficient funds to make personal loans to his committee, (2) because it appears the Committee disclosed most or all of the expenses incurred in connection with the campaign, and (3) in furtherance of the Commission’s priorities and resources relative to other matters. MUR 6343 RESPONDENTS: Michael McMahon; and Mike McMahon for Congress and George Caputo, in his official capacity as treasurer COMPLAINANT: Brendan Lantry SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that McMahon, Mike McMahon for Congress and Caputo, in his official capacity as treasurer, violated the “sale or use” provision of the Act by using a list of contributors to McMahon’s general election opponent—drawn up using that committee’s 2010 July Quarterly disclosure report to the FEC—to solicit contributions. McMahon was a 2010 candidate for New York’s 13th Congressional District. DISPOSITION: The Commission found no reason to believe McMahon, Mike McMahon for Congress or Caputo, in his official capacity as treasurer, violated the Act or Commission regulations because the available information did not support the allegation. For information regarding each of the above matters, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System. ADMINISTRATIVE FINES The Commission made public one campaign finance enforcement matter that was resolved through its Administrative Fines (AF) program. AF 2160 – Committee to Elect Mark Rees and Mark Robert Rees, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $720. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System. AUDITS
Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on Freedom’s Defense Fund (FDF). On May 5, the Commission approved the Audit Division’s recommendation memorandum on FDF, covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008. The Audit Division’s memorandum recommends the Commission approve the finding presented in the Draft Final Audit Report (DFAR) related to Disclosure of Independent Expenditures. The Audit Division will prepare the Proposed Final Audit Report within 30 days. Proposed Final Audit Report on the Service Employees International Union Committee on Political Education (SEIU COPE). On May 5, the Commission considered the proposed final audit report on the Service Employees International Union Committee on Political Education (SEIU COPE), covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008. The Commission did not approve the proposed final audit report by the necessary four votes and returned it to the Audit Division for further revisions. LITIGATION
On May 3, Communications Specialist Zainab Smith discussed the Commission's role in campaign finance regulation with a delegation of political leaders from Japan. The delegation was sponsored by the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program. RULEMAKINGS AND AGENCY PROCEDURES May 5: California's 36th Congressional District Pre-Special General Election Reports were due. For more information on reporting dates for this special election, refer to the Special Election Report Notice of the FEC website. UPCOMING REPORTING DUE DATES May 12: New York’s 26th Congressional District Pre-Special General Election Reports are due. For more information on reporting dates for this special election, refer to the Special Election Report Notice of the FEC website. May 20: May Monthly Reports are due. For more information on monthly reporting dates, refer to the 2011 Monthly Reporting page of the FEC website. UPCOMING EVENTS
June 8, Washington, DC. FEC Seminar for Trade Associations, Labor Organizations, Membership Organizations and their PACs. Registration information and schedule are on the 2011 Conference/Seminar Schedule page of the FEC website. OTHER RESOURCES The May 2011 issue of The Record is in the Publications section of the FEC website. Sign up to receive email notification when a new issue of the Record is posted. The May 2011 Supplements to the FEC’s Campaign Guides are on the Campaign Guides page of the FEC website. Follow Us on Twitter - http://twitter.com/FECupdates |
