Reply #29: Update: Swifties' bogus sister group fined $750K for violating campaign finance laws in 2004

[mloutre]

see also: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x318655


During the hearings mentioned in this thread, Sam Fox claimed that he had no idea when, why, to whom, or for what he gave away the $50K. FEC records show him also donating another $50,000 to a SBVT sister 527 group, 'Progress for America', at the time as well.

One can only presume that he had no idea when, why, to whom, or for what he gave away that $50K, either. (Must be nice to be so rich one can hand out a hundred grand at a time without even being aware of it, ahem.)

Given the following news report from the Associated Press, once can hardly be surprised at his faulty memory while being questioned on the record about his 527-related activities:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/01/washington/01fec.html

Group Reaches Settlement With F.E.C. Over 2004 Campaign Advertising

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 — A major conservative group agreed to pay a $750,000 penalty as part of a settlement with the Federal Election Commission, which found that the group violated campaign finance laws by spending more than $30 million on advertisements and mailings supporting President Bush’s re-election.

{snip}

The agency found that the group, the Progress for America Voter Fund, operated as a political action committee, soliciting money and financing advertisements.

It spent $26.4 million alone on advertising in battleground states in 2004 for the purpose of retaining Mr. Bush as president.

Its actions violated campaign laws because it was not registered as a political action committee that would be subject to strict limits on donations. The agency said it circumvented a ban on corporate money and accepted contributions that well exceeded the caps on individual donations.

The group’s most memorable advertisements included “Ashley’s Story,” featuring Mr. Bush hugging a girl whose mother died in the World Trade Center attacks and who said the president kept her safe. That cost $16.5 million and was broadcast in 11 states and on national cable, the agency said. ... {The group} reported raising $44.9 million in 2004, with nearly three-fourths from 13 donors.

{snip}

Benjamin L. Ginsburg, a prominent Republican lawyer representing the group in this case, cited the financial stakes as a reason for the agreement.

Mr. Ginsburg also represented the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, another 527 group, which attacked Senator John Kerry; it reached a settlement with the F.E.C. in December.