James Bopp Jr.

FEC: Politicians Can Solicit Donations For 'Super PACs,' But Only Up To $5K

Ryan J. Reilly | June 30, 2011, 4:05PM

As Stephen Colbert did his victory lap outside the Federal Election Commission's headquarters on Thursday, the six commissioners still inside the hearing voted on a measure that will have a much bigger effect on the 2012 election.

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Topics: 2012 elections, Campaign Contributions, Campaign Donations, Campaign Finance, Citizens United, FEC, Federal Election Commission, James Bopp Jr.

FEC

Outside FEC, Stephen Colbert Says His 'Super PAC' Is No Joke (VIDEO)

Ryan J. Reilly | June 30, 2011, 11:50AM

The Federal Election Commission gets it -- Stephen Colbert is punking them. But the FEC treated the Comedy Central host's request for an advisory opinion like anyone else, and on Thursday granted him the ability to form a "super PAC."

Their ruling allows his parent company Viacom to pay for most of their "coverage" of Colbert Super PAC's activities under a press exemption without having to disclose such expenditures as in-kind donations.

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Topics: Campaign Contributions, Campaign Donations, Campaign Finance, FEC, Federal Election Commission, Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert

Campaign Reformers Say Stephen Colbert's FEC Joke Has Gone Far Enough

Ryan J. Reilly | June 29, 2011, 6:45PM

Your average meeting of the Federal Election Commission is lucky to attract one reporter - usually Ken Doyle, the senior editor of the trade publication BNA's Money & Politics Report. "I've been there many times when he and I were the only people in the audience," campaign finance lawyer Brett Kappel told TPM.

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Topics: Campaign Contributions, Campaign Donations, Campaign Finance, FEC, Federal Election Commission, Stephen Colbert

Campaign Donations

Distributor Funneled Money To Biden Prez Campaign, Free Booze To Delaware Democrats

Ryan J. Reilly | June 10, 2011, 7:51AM

An alcohol distributor has admitted he illegally reimbursed his employees for donations made to the presidential campaign of Vice President Joe Biden at a sham fundraising event and provided free booze at parties for numerous politicians.

Christopher Tigani, the former president of NKS Distributors Inc., admitted in a plea agreement with the Justice Department that he bundled at least $219,800 in illegal campaign contributions to federal and state candidates. He also admitted he and his company provided in-kind contributions to federal and state candidates and campaign committees, including free alcohol at political fundraising events.

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Topics: Campaign Donations, Campaign Finance, Joe Biden

Rielle Hunter

How John Edwards' $400 Haircut Lead To Alleged Illegal Donations

Ryan J. Reilly | June 3, 2011, 12:25PM

It was April 2007 and Bunny Mellon, a then 96-year-old wealthy supporter of former Sen. John Edwards, was angry over how the media was over-blowing the news that the North Carolina Democrat got a $400 haircut.

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Topics: Andrew Young, Campaign Contributions, Campaign Donations, Campaign Finance, DOJ, DOJ Public Integrity, FEC, John Edwards, Justice Department, Rielle Hunter

Anna Eshoo

Eshoo: Chamber Having 'Sissy Fit' Over Campaign Disclosure

Ryan J. Reilly | June 3, 2011, 9:20AM

Lawmakers on Thursday offered two competing amendments to a bill addressing the anonymous flow of taxpayer money to third party political groups. One would have required disclosure of such donations, the other would ban the government from doing anything to shed any light on the financial flows.

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) said her amendment, which was ruled out of order, would "require that anyone that receives an appropriation, a contract, doing business with the federal government produce full disclosure relative to political expenditures." She said it would eliminate "a dark corner of our system that is not being addressed."

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Topics: Anna Eshoo, Barack Obama, Campaign Contributions, Campaign Donations, Campaign Finance, Chamber of Commerce, Obama Administration

Chamber of Commerce

Transparency Efforts By Corporations Undermine Chamber's Anti-Disclosure Stance

Ryan J. Reilly | June 2, 2011, 10:25AM

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce claims that a draft executive order being considered by the Obama administration would be an assault on free speech. The proposed order would require federal contractors to disclose donations to third party groups. But many of the companies affiliated with the Chamber have extolled the values of disclosure and already publicly reveal their donations voluntarily.

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Topics: Campaign Contributions, Campaign Donations, Campaign Finance, Chamber of Commerce, Citizens United