May 2013
6 posts
Reconciliation, Eventually
Think it takes you awhile to reconcile those outstanding checks? Try the Cubic Corp. PAC’s filing covering April 2013, in which it voids a $1,000 check first issued to then-Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., on July 8, 2003.
Late Payments? No Problem!
In which the Democratic Party of Illinois pays its travel bills several months late.
The Most Interesting Senator in Pennsylvania
Pat Toomey’s leadership PAC doesn’t always pay to use private aircraft, but when it does, it pays N-35727 Inc. Which seems to fly back and forth from Allentown to Indiana, Pa., and sometimes to Washington D.C.
CORRECTION
From the Friends of Liberty for Jessica:
*******************************************************************************
CORRECTION- The candidate made a commitment of up to $15,000 to the
campaign, but the money was never put into the campaign checking account.
The candidate used a personal credit card to purchase items for the campaign
and forgave those charges to thier personal credit...
Fourth Time Might Be The Charm
The Washoe County Republican Party’s federal account would like to be closed. It would really like to be closed, having filed four termination reports this year.
But the interesting thing is why it ever existed in the first place. County parties do have federal accounts, but this one was created last summer and specifically said that it was not affiliated with the state party. That’s...
Field Size Limits Are Enforced
From the Delaware Democratic State Committee:
Schedule H3 transfers from the account named Delaware Democratic Party - CoorCamp N is in fact a non-federal account of the committee. Evidently the number of characters allowed in our filing software is less than the number of characters in the name of the account so the committee will abbreviate it in future filings to clearly identify it as a...
April 2013
6 posts
Proprietary Software
The Andy Schmookler for Congress committee bought a license for software to file its reports. That license expired. Then it needed to amend its reports:
I understand the normal procedure for clarifying information previously reported to the FEC is to amend the report in question. However, the Andy Schmookler for Congress committee used proprietary campaign finance software to generate and file...
Seems Like a Problem
TECHNICAL LIMITATIONS DO NOT CURRENTLY ALLOW US TO FILE AMENDED 24 HOUR REPORTS which delete or change items contained in the reports as originally filed.
Checks Made Out To Cash, You Say?
See if you can read between the lines of this submission by the Visclosky for Congress committee:
After an internal audit, the Visclosky for Congress campaign committee is unable to verify the payee or purpose for the following cash disbursements: $2,000 on 7/2/2008, $3,000 on 8/5/2008, $2,000 on 9/3/2008, $1,000 on 10/8/2008, $2,000 on 10/15/2008, $2,000 on 10/27/2008, $2,000 on 11/3/2008 and...
Top Secret
This electioneering communications filing from the Special Operations OpSec Education Fund is so top secret that it cannot divulge the amount spent, nor the candidates mentioned or recipients of the money.
What Part of "We're Not Disclosing" Do You Not...
Crossroads GPS gently responds to the FEC’s latest request for disclosure of its donors:
We are in receipt of your Request For Additional Information (RFAI), dated April 9, 2013, regarding the 2012 Year End Report of Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies (Crossroads GPS). This Request is the fourth such RFAI we have received on this exact same subject, and we refer you generally to our...
It's Not Me, It's You
California congressional candidate Chuck Wilkerson would like to break up with the FEC:
My understanding is that the FEC has no further business with this campaign. The campaign office has been closed since early 2011 and I have concluded business as my last commuication of 12/25/12.
Please refer to MUR 6569.
Thanks for your attention to this as I've not heard from the FEC regarding being...
March 2013
12 posts
Mistakes Were Made
From the Gun Owners of America:
The undersigned, who prepared and filed the required 24-hour notices described above, is well aware of the FEC requirements for filing 24-hour notices and other reports with the FEC. However, regarding the three IEs described above, the persons who arranged for the three IEs to be made violated GOA's established practices and neglected to inform the undersigned...
First Thing We Do, Let's Blame the Lawyer
From the Central Valley Independent super PAC:
We had a late 24 hour filing due to the fact that the attorney that we hired to fill out these reports did not advise us of the due dates and the requirements. He was advised to fill out the first form and he did and he was instructed to fill out the forms going forward. Instead he told us about the due date after it had passed
Human Error
The Operating Engineers Local 12 Voluntary Legislative Fund has “the best procedures” in place to prevent reporting mistakes. Or not:
The omission of the disbursement of $100,000.00 on 10/10/2012 that was inadvertently omitted was due to human error.
We have the best procedures in place to prevent and to find human errors. Once the error was found the report was amended.
Following Instructions
The new Stand With Rand PAC is trying to be helpful, I’m sure, with its statement of organization. But, as the instructions clearly state:
Filing Reporting Trouble With Filing
Update: This is a test.
Hey, FEC, the Electrical Contractors PAC is having trouble with a Form 1 filing today. So they filed a report saying so:
I am trying to file a amended Form 1 but I am getting an error
message from the website.
error Message:
the agency is taking a long time to respond to your e-filing.
Please check your email for a confirmation message. If you do not receive this email...
We No Longer Have Access To Our Database
This note from the treasurer of Daniel Bongino’s 2012 Senate campaign seems a little odd.
Significant Changes
The folks at the Tea Party.net Leadership Fund wrote to the FEC to say that it had found some “significant changes in the originally reported contribution amounts” of its Pre-General report filed last October. How significant? You know, just $124,571.52 more in receipts, a 416% increase over the originally reported amount. The amended filing is here.
As Far As I Recall...
Tim Kalemkarian, a once and future Senate candidate from California, has several committees. Sometimes it seems as if he can’t keep track of them.
Thank You, Maureen
Elouise Kennedy, treasurer of the Tarrant County (Texas) Republican Victory Fund, is new to the job:
I'm more than glad to file this form now that I am aware of it. I apologize for the delay but we have left numerous messages about this matter and was not given specific informantion until on 3/11/2013 when Maureen directed our office to this misc form 99 thank you Maureen
Having looked over...
That *Could* Be My Money, But ...
Meet Daryle L. Doden of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Last year, Doden spent $87,172.50 on newspaper ads in support of Richard Mourdock, a Republican candidate for Senate who lost to Rep. Joe Donnelly in the Hoosier State. Individuals are permitted to conduct unlimited independent expenditures, on the understanding that the money used to finance them belongs to the individual.
But when the FEC asked about...
McCotter to FEC: Have Mercy
Every day that the McCotter 2012 committee exists is just another reminder that Thad McCotter once tried to run for President. In order to remove that knowledge from us, the committee has asked the FEC to put it out of its misery via administrative termination:
McCotter 2012, Inc., respectfully requests that the Commission administratively terminate its filing obligations pursuant to 11 CFR...
Best. Filing. Ever.
We can now close the FEC, as there will be no better filing than this one, from the “Vote Sarah Palin US President 2016” committee, which was registered in August 2012. This committee has many things to recommend it, including:
An address of “United Kingdom Located”
A treasurer who appears to be the owner of this Twitter account.
But putting it over the top is the text...
February 2013
6 posts
Sure to Be Repaid Soon
I bet former Rep. Ken Bentsen is counting on getting his $1,200 loan to the Harris County (Texas) Democratic Party back, 21 years after he made it.
Still Fishing
South Carolina Senate candidate Brandon Armstrong’s campaign has $370 and remains in “still fishing” mode.
Totally Worth It
Halliburton’s PAC wins for the smallest refund ever.
Software Glitch
The Romney campaign explains why some in-kind contributions were not included on a filing:
Due to a software glitch, seven in-kind contributions were not itemized. These will be itemized in an Amended Report. There is no change to the cash-on -hand amount.
Newbie
It’s Chicago alderman Anthony Beale’s first congressional campaign, so maybe he didn’t realize that contributions that exceed $200 require itemization: his first report said he raised $44,900 from individuals but itemized nothing. The amendment? Oh, right, those *should* be itemized.
Radio Controller Gator
These expenses, from the first six months of 2011, by the National Association of Wheat Growers PAC, are the best. Don’t believe me? Try some of these descriptions out:
Birthday Cake Feeding
Short Gun
1/s Carat Diamond Necklace
Couer d’Alene Resort pack-age for two
In-kind - Duck hunting trip for two
In-kind - OYO Vodka,Made in Ohio
Lariat, Leather chaps and Spurs with lea
...
January 2013
12 posts
Doggie Daycare
Big Red PAC, the leadership committee of Nebraska Republican Lee Terry, had an unusual expenditure in early December: it paid $204 to Paws N’Play of Omaha for “PAC Travel Expense”. Paws N’Play charges $24 a day for daycare and $14 for overnight boarding, so 5 days adds up to $204.
Good Start to the Foundation
Former Alabama Republican Terry Everett, who retired in 2008, decided to start a personal foundation. With $500,000 of leftover campaign contributions.
FBI Notified
Apparently someone performed quite a number on the bank account of the ASCAP Legislative Fund for the Arts. In its year-end filing, the PAC reported a $12,137.28 expenditure to JP Morgan Chase Bank, with the description: “credit card fraud - FBI notified”.
Mistakes Were Made
From the Washington State Republican Party.
This Isn't Over
America vs. Obama reports $1,251.54 in cash at the end of 2012.
Update: It is over.
Lincoln Would Be Proud →
Mistakes Were Made →
From Kevin Brady’s congressional campaign.
"He was a volunteer, but decided to bill for his...
The Committee to Elect Gary King has a new treasurer. Here’s why:
Former Treasurer Christopher Gagnon has been removed for cause.
Namely, he was a volunteer, but decided to bill for his services.
He incorrectly and improperly filed with the Commission a statement
that there was an outstanding debt in the amount of his invoice and that
it was guaranteed by a personal loan from the...
500 Club
So here’s a committee that baffles me: the 500 Club of Greenwich, Connecticut. Why? Because year after year, cycle after cycle, it raised between $40k-$70k, and appears to not give any of it to candidates or other committees. Ever. So what’s the point? Anyone?
I'll Pay It, But I Won't Like It
From the Friends and Families of Vance committee comes this $4.00 expenditure, resentfully paid:
Mistakes Were Made →
From the campaign of Robert Dold.
Timely Disclosure!
The Western Sugar Cooperative PAC wants you to know that it gave $2,000 to George Allen on Oct. 24. It just waited until Jan. 2, 2013, to tell you.
December 2012
10 posts
Starbucks: The choice of failed campaigns
Killian for Congress didn’t win, but at least it bought $250 in campaign gifts from Starbucks.
Hard to Believe This Campaign Didn't Win
A note from John DeLuca, treasurer of the Redfield for Congress campaign:
December 4, 2012
Mr. Chris Jones
Federal Election Commission
999 ESt., NW Washington, DC 20463
Dear Mr. Jones,
I am currently the register Treasurer of the Redfield for
Congress Campaign Committee [ID# C00523993].
The election is over. Unfortunately, we were w1successful
in our bid. The activities of the...
Timely Disclosure!
Conservative Opportunities for a New America PAC, the leadership committee of Texas Congressman Michael Conaway, just filed its pre-general report today, showing $15,000 in contributions to other committees.
It was due on Oct. 25. You know, before the election.
The PAC managed to file its post-general report on time 15 days ago, so we know it at least has a calendar.
This Means Something
The Africa for Obama committee, which has only ever filed statements of organization (despite the FEC’s requests for actual reports), today filed an F99, a miscellaneous document. It was blank.
Really, this means something.
Nearly Candidate Hykes
Apparently a presidential candidate can’t get on the ballot in New York without a vice-presidential candidate. Nobody seems to have told this to Darrell Hykes:
FEC Commission:
As stated before, I agree with The Commission's initial determination
on Darrell Hykes / Hykes for the American Dream being found ineligible
to receive pre-election funding for the 2012 General Election.
I do...
The AFL-CIO is Not Impressed
AFL-CIO Associate General Counsel Laurence Gold, channeling his inner McKayla Maroney in his response to several FEC inquiries (emphasis mine):
This response concerns each of the five identical inquiries
dated November 8, 2012, concerning 24-hour Schedule E
reports of independent expenditures filed by the committee
on, respectively, August 25, August 26, August 29, September
2 and September 5,...
Full Nelson
The American Nurses Association PAC had a mix-up with Nelsons in the Senate:
A $1000 contribution was erroneously made on the same report
to "Ben Nelson for US Senate Committee" who’s campaign had
been terminated. The contribution should instead been attributed
to "Bill Nelson for Congress". A mistake was made because of the
similar first and same last name.
It’s true, the last names...
Schroedinger's Disbursements
From Acton PAC, the leadership committee of Georgia Republican Lynn Westmoreland, comes a tale of missing money. When it originally said that it raised and spent exactly $0 during the pre-general period, what it actually meant was that it made $18,000 in contributions to other committees.
Sayeth the treasurer, one Joan Westmoreland: “The increase in the total amount of disbursements for the...
