FEC Fines Ashcroft's Senate Bid for Breach (illegal contributions)

[kskiska]

By Thomas B. Edsall and Walter Pincus

Wednesday, December 17, 2003; Page A01

The Federal Election Commission has determined that Attorney General John D. Ashcroft's unsuccessful 2000 Senate reelection campaign violated federal election laws by accepting $110,000 in illegal contributions from a committee Ashcroft had established to explore running for president.

In documents released yesterday by the FEC, Garrett M. Lott, treasurer for the two Ashcroft committees, the Spirit of America PAC and Ashcroft 2000, agreed to pay a $37,000 fines for at least four violations of federal campaign law. Lott agreed "not to contest" the charges.

"Spirit of America PAC and Ashcroft 2000, respectively, violated the by making and receiving this excessive contribution. Additionally, Spirit of America PAC and Ashcroft 2000, respectively, violated the by failing to disclose the making or receipt of the excessive contribution," the FEC declared in a news release.

Under the law, the Spirit of America PAC was allowed to give the Ashcroft 2000 committee only $5,000 for the primary and $5,000 for the general election, which it did. The commission found that the list rental income transferred to the Ashcroft 2000 committee therefore amounted to a violation of these limits.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6339-2003Dec16.html

[proud patriot]

1. Fire His Ass

This person should not hold the position
of Attorney General ..

[hyphenate]

2. It really is about time

That these criminals had to pay for their dirty deeds. Ashcroft should step down as AG since he is a criminal himself.

[Dookus]

3. If this had been Janet Reno....

does anyone doubt there'd be congressional hearings and a unified Republican chorus calling for her resignation?

[TankLV]

4. Let's see if I have this right:

He's found guilty of illegally funneling $110,000.

He if "fined" $37,000.

He's got a net gain of still $73,000.

Nice bit of chump change. And we're all the chumps.

All I want to know, is:

How come he's not forced to RETURN the $110,000 PLUS pay the $37,000 penalty.

By my calculations, he should be OUT $36,000, not making a PROFIT of $73,000!

Wish I could be so fortunate if ever I was found to violate some law.

Equal justice under the law my ass!

I want to see these idiots arrested, tried and shot for treason and other high crimes and misdemeanors!

Scum.

[tlcandie]

5. Can we like hang a drape or something over him because

he's very disturbing...now more than ever...and offends my senses.

[drscm]

6. No doubt, Jesus told him to do it, so it's alright. eom

eom

[Cronus Protagonist]

7. Political Money-Laundering

That's what this is. If he was hiding loot from drug sales or changing cash for gun runners he would be in a conspiracy to break the law. This is no different. He was in a conspiracy to break the law, he got caught and now he should pay the price. He should quit. How can we have the chief law enforcement officer in the land with a criminal record for money laundering? If he won't quit, he should be fired.

FUCK BUSH Buttons, Stickers & Magnets

[davidinalameda]

8. lock--dupe

please continue here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=273276