GOP-based group admits to election violation

[Judi Lynn]

Article Published: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 12:00:00 AM MST
GOP-based group admits to election violation
Fundraising rules broken, feds say




By Mike Soraghan, Denver Post Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - A Colorado Republican group formed during Gov. Bill Owens' first election campaign to do an end run around campaign finance restrictions has admitted violating federal law and agreed to pay the Federal Election Commission a $10,000 fine.
Centennial Spirit raised about $1 million to aid Owens and other Republican candidates in 1998. Because the campaign materials it distributed did not include specific pleas to vote for or against candidates, the group's backers argued they did not have to follow strict new campaign rules approved by voters.

The fund got a clean bill of health from the Colorado secretary of state and two Colorado courts. But the FEC ruled that Centennial Spirit broke the rules about independent expenditures and corporate contributions.

Some experts say the FEC's decision to go after the Colorado group could signal that the agency is taking a harder look at the so-called "express advocacy" and "educational" groups that do much of the anonymous dirty work in today's campaigns.

"This looks like a pretty serious violation," said Larry Noble, a former general counsel of the FEC who now runs the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington. "It's a sign that the FEC will move in and take action." (snip/...)

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~53~1552063,00.html

[HungryLoser]

1. Tip of the iceburg?

[DUreader]

2. Don't get your hopes up, $10k slap on the wrist.

Chump change regarded as 'the cost of doing business'

[fob]

3. Exactly. Why is the fine not $1,010,000?

Centennial Spirit raised about $1 million to aid Owens and other Republican candidates in 1998.

If they cheated to raise $1,000,000 and get only a $10,000 fine, where is the effin' deterrent? Why not raise $1,010,000 and just send in $10,000 with your FEC paperwork? Same difference.

It's just like Worldcom, they "misstate" $11,000,000,000 and pay a $750,000,000 fine. Big effin' deal! So for every dollar they stole, they give back 6.8 CENTS! I'm sure that will make them straighten up.

bush* is a national disgrace


fob