Obama, FEC investigations, Update, February 27, 2010
Obama would have been under more FEC scrutiny if he had taken Federal matching funds.
From the FEC.
“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 one matter, respondents agreed to pay a civil penalty of $5,500; the Commission found no reason to believe a violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), occurred in connection with another allegation and it dismissed the remaining allegations. In another case, respondents agreed to pay a civil penalty of $3,600. The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the other four matters.
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.nictusa.com/eqs/searcheqs.”
“MUR 6127
RESPONDENTS:
Obama for America and Martin Nesbitt, in his official capacity as treasurer; Barack Obama; Obama Victory Fund and Andrew Tobias, in his official capacity as treasurer; Democratic National Committee and Andrew Tobias, in his official capacity as treasurer; VIDA Fitness; Urban Salons, Inc. doing business as Bang Salon Spa; David von Storch; and Saul Ewing, LLP.
COMPLAINANTS:
District of Columbia Republican Committee by its Chairman, Robert J. Kabel, and California Republican Party
SUBJECT:
The complaint alleged that Obama for America (OFA) and Nesbitt, in his official capacity as treasurer, converted campaign funds to Obama’s personal use by paying some of his personal travel expenses during the 2008 presidential campaign. It alleged further that VIDA Fitness facilitated the making of contributions and made prohibited contributions to the Obama Victory Fund (OVF), a joint fundraising committee comprised of OFA and the Democratic National Committee, by using a corporate email list to distribute OVF fundraising solicitations and allowing OVF to use VIDA’s facilities for a fundraiser. The complaint also alleged that OFA failed to disclose the transfer of a donor list to Project Vote, an affiliate of ACORN, and that OFA intended to accept and Saul Ewing LLP intended to make an excessive contribution in the form of pro bono legal services.
OUTCOME:
The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the personal use allegations in connection with Obama for America, its treasurer, acting in his official capacity, and Obama, and sent letters of caution. The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the allegations in connection with Obama Victory Fund and the Democratic National Committee and their treasurers, acting in their official capacities. The Commission found no reason to believe violations occurred in connection with the third allegation concerning Obama for America and its treasurer, acting in his official capacity, and found no reason to believe a violation occurred in connected with Saul Ewing, LLP.The Commission found reason to believe that VIDA Fitness, Urban Salons, Inc., doing business as Bang Salon Spa, and von Storch failed to obtain advance payment for a corporate email list used to send invitations to a fundraiser for the Obama Victory Fund and for beverages served at the event, and solicited contributions outside VIDA Fitness’s and Bang Salon’s restricted class. In a conciliation agreement, VIDA Fitness, Urban Salons, Inc., d/b/a Bang Salon Spa, and von Storch agreed to pay a civil penalty of $5,500. ”
“MUR 6175
RESPONDENTS:
Obama Victory Fund and Andrew Tobias, in his official capacity as treasurer
COMPLAINANT:
Jane B. Freidson
SUBJECT:
The complaint alleged that Obama Victory Fund and Tobias, in his official capacity as treasurer, incorrectly processed a $500, online contribution made by Freidson, and instead charged $5,000 to her credit card.
OUTCOME:
The respondents acknowledged the mistake in processing the original contribution and issued a $4,500 refund to Freidson. The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the matter. ”
Citizen WElls 