According to the Federal Election Commission, “Once a Presidential election is over, the Commission audits all of the candidates and committees that received public funds to ensure that they used those funds only for qualified campaign expenses and that they maintained proper records and filed accurate reports. These audits are mandated under the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act.”
Politco is reporting that the FEC sent a letter to the Republican National Committee’s chief counsel Sean Cairncross. The letter stated that President Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign has been fined $375,00. USA Today reports the FEC has not commented.
The settlement agreement has been paid: “$230,000 coming from the Obama campaign’s coffers and the remainder from the DNC.”
In 2006, The Federal Election Commission announced settlements with three different 527 organizations accused of violating the federal campaign finance laws during the 2004 presidential election. The League of Conservation Voters 527 and 527II, MoveOn.org Voter Fund, and Swiftboat Veterans and POWs for Truth have collectively paid almost $630,000.
- League of Conservation Voters 527 and 527II — $180,000
- MoveOn.org Voter Fund — $ 150,000
- Swiftboat Veterans and POWs for Truth — $ 299,500
The Rev. Al Sharpton agreed to pay to the FEC for failing to accurately reports receipts and spending during his 2004 presidential bid.
In the FEC Annual 2000 report, two campaigns were required to make repayments.
- Dole for President, Inc. (the Committee), had to repay $6,255 to the Treasury.
- Patrick J. Buchanan’s 1996 primary committee, Buchanan for President, Inc. (the Committee), had to make repayments of $63,750 and $29,328 to the Treasury.
The 1988 Bush-Quayle campaign paid a $10,000 civil fine and returned almost $134,000 in travel-related overcharges to media organizations.