November 14, 2008
14 November 2008 //
Today, MoveOnRussell.Org filed a complaint with the Federal Election
Commission ("FEC") against William Russell for Congress Committee
alleging serious violations of campaign finance law.
Russell's campaign raised $918,000 from Jan 1 through June 30, 2008,from individuals through direct mail, according to his Federal Elections (FEC) reports. In the 1st Quarter 2008, only $34,409 of $214, 168 - 16% of that was "itemized" - with names, addresses, employers, and occupations reported.
In the 2nd Quarter, only $137,835 of $669,534 - 21% - of the money raised, was itemized. In the 3nd Quarter more than $184.000 was reported in unitemized disbursements.
In May, Russell's former campaign manager filed a complaint against Russell with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) for (1)failing to disclose campaign donors; qnd (2) inaccurately disclosing campaign bank accounts, disbursements and receipts. Russell has disclosed some since then.
MoveOnRussell.Org's complaint alleges two violations of campaign finance law: 1) unitemized disbursements; and 2) unitemized contributions.
On May 15, FEC campaign finance analyst Robin Kelly wrote to Russell's treasurer: Your report disclosed $185,575.09 in unitemized contributions... "She required the campaign to either amend the report with with more data, or to "clarify that the contributions in question, the aggregate total.. for each contibutor does not exceed $200." FEC spokesman Bob Birkenstock said that the fact that the FEC send the inquiry, showed that the Commissionconsidered the campaign's high number of itemized contributions to be unusual.
"There is a pattern here that Russell thinks the rules are made for other people," MoveOnRussell.Org's executive director Alma Medina said today. "He doesn't bother with rules until he gets caught. The allegations against Mr. Russell, which are backed up with affidavits, suggests serious violations of campaign finance law. The FEC should investigate and refer the matter to the Department of Justice for further action."
