Democratic '527' group is hit with a record fine

Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | December 22, 2004 | Dane Smith

[rhema]

Minnesota campaign finance authorities imposed a record fine Tuesday on a political "527" group that spent money in Minnesota on behalf of DFL House candidates and young-voter turnout.

Citing a failure by the 21st Century Democrats to adhere to disclosure laws, the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board imposed fines of $292,500 on a 21st Century Minnesota committee and $25,000 on its parent national committee.

21st Century Democrats has been in the spotlight lately because it raised $300,000 from Matt Entenza, Minnesota House DFL minority leader. The board's statement does not name Entenza, nor does he appear to have any direct interest in this specific action. The disclosure issues apparently were being investigated by the board well before a complaint was brought Monday by Minnesota Republican Party officials asking for a full investigation of Entenza and the 21st Century contributions. . . .

< snip >

In a statement released by 21st Century spokesman Danny Rose in Washington, D.C., the group said it is "committed to complying with the laws of the states in which we are active, including Minnesota. We are reviewing the findings of the [board] and will respond appropriately when that review is complete." Fines by the board can be appealed to the court system.

Entenza was on vacation and could not be reached for comment. A spokesman for the House DFL caucus, Dave Colling, said: "We understand the board said everything was inadvertent, and we're glad that everything is resolved."

But Republicans contend that everything is definitely not resolved. The ruling "strengthens our case and opens the door to greater scrutiny of Matt Entenza's relationship with the 21st Century Democrats," said Corey Miltimore, executive director of the Republican Party of Minnesota.

[Popman]

"We understand the board said everything was inadvertent,

What do you expect them to follow the rules?

The end always justifies the means because they believe it is a higher moral code to defeat republicans then to follow the law.

Republicans are an evil plague upon society so it'd O.K. to break the rules.

Sort of like not playing fair to defeat catch OBL Same mind set

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ping

[mvpel]

While I'll admit to a touch of schadenfreude here, one must remember that the political campaign laws are often a virtually impenetrable tangle of requirements and paperwork.

Their claim that it was inadvertent is entirely believable. Unless they hired an accountant to manage the reporting requirements, and even then it's within the realm of possibility.

[Condor51]

one must remember that the political campaign laws are often a virtually impenetrable tangle of requirements and paperwork.

That's only because they were written by Republicans, who can read :-)

[Brian Allen]

<< Sort of like not playing fair to defeat catch OBL Same mind set >>

Are you kidding?

Projecting a moral equivilency on to a "Democrat" insofar as his hatred of Republicans is concerned vis-a-vis any concern he might feel about ObL?

Get away.

You're much too kind.

There is no comparison to be found in a "Democrat's" froth and foam-flecked feelings about Republicans and Republicanism and his approach to the problems provided him by ObL!

One interrupts his ability to steal and lie and loot and corrupt -- and the other is even an ally of sorts!

Merry Christmas -- B A