Schumer's Campaign Violations - The FEC hits the campaign-finance “reformer” with a hefty fine.

National Review Online ^ | May 5, 2003 | Byron York

[ReleaseTheHounds]

New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer, an outspoken advocate of campaign-finance reform, has been hit with one of the biggest fines ever imposed on a member of Congress by the Federal Election Commission — for violating campaign-finance laws.

The FEC ruling, handed down in March, ordered Schumer's 1998 senatorial campaign to pay a civil penalty of $130,000. The campaign was also ordered to return $120,455 in illegal contributions, bringing the total of fines and restitution to slightly more than a quarter-million dollars. The campaign paid the sum in April. According to FEC records, only three cases involving federal candidates have resulted in higher fines than the one levied on Schumer's campaign. No senatorial candidate has ever been so severely penalized.

At issue in the FEC action were more than 750 contributions, totaling about $915,000, dating from Schumer's 1998 race against Republican Alphonse D'Amato. The FEC found that each of those donations exceeded the $1,000 limit then in effect for contributions to a candidate during a primary or general election.

The FEC said most of those excess contributions were within the $1,000 to $2,000 range.

The FEC also found that the Schumer campaign failed to file notices required by law for $89,500 in contributions given in the last days of the 1998 campaign. The Schumer campaign also filed late notices for $186,500 in contributions.

After an FEC audit discovered the violations in 2001, some of Schumer's defenders downplayed them as "technical." But the size of the fine suggests the FEC viewed the infractions as a serious matter. At the least, the violations suggest a relaxed attitude on the part of the Schumer campaign toward the rules regarding the reporting of campaign contributions.

And the punishment might have been worse. It appears that Schumer's campaign benefited from a change in FEC rules, adopted last November, which in effect reduced the number of violations that were subject to fines. Had the Schumer campaign been judged by the FEC's old rules, the $130,000 fine might have been much higher.

The FEC cleared Schumer of personal responsibility for the violations. "The Commission does not allege and there is no finding that U.S. Senator Charles Schumer engaged in any wrongdoing in connection with the findings in this agreement." His 1998 campaign treasurer, Steven D. Goldenkranz, was named in the report.

When asked about the FEC judgment last week, a Schumer spokesman promised to make a written comment, but so far has not made one.

The 1998 Schumer race against D'Amato was, at the time, the most expensive in history, with the Schumer campaign spending nearly $17 million. Now, as he prepares to run for reelection next year, Schumer has already amassed nearly $15 million, making him the most successful fundraiser in the Senate.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

What I always find galling about stories like this (especially the Demo shenanigans [sp?] in 1996) is that here we'll have $250K in fines and return of funds -- but Chuckie will have had 6 years in the Senate in which to enrich himself and his cronies, and set himself up for another few terms in the friendly environs of NY aided and abetted by these criminal acts. Where is the justice?

[JohnGalt]

As they say, "in the halls of justice, the only justice is in the halls."

[2timothy3.16]

Democrats take note, you see what happens when you cross thunder thighs, I mean hillary clinton.

[alloysteel]

Chuckie was pretty sure, that no matter how Draconian the penalties were written into the law, they would not be enforced....

This would NEVER have happened to a Democrat office-holder under the regime of the "Former Occupant of the Oval Office, 1993-2001".

[kcordell]

I think you're probably right.

Let them eat their own.

My only disappointment is that Schumer doesn't get penalized 'personally'. His campaign will pay the fine and this crook will just go on about his business and we'll pay him a pension for the rest of his life.

[Blue Collar Christian]

In off-road motorcycle racing, if you cheat and get caught, you are disqualified. Even if you are the first across the finish line, you have no finish.

At a gaming table in Las Vegas, if you get caught cheating, do you get nabbed, or do you still get to keep your winnings and just pay a fine?

If justice truly prevailed, he would have to leave office immediately following a conviction of the charges. Love to see that, but we must admit, alot of our guys would probably go too.

[Redleg Duke]

Looks like Hitlery is working on Chuckie's retirement plan.

[Zack Nguyen]

I agree. The laws are worthless. Scoflaws like Schumer can break campaign finance laws with impunity, and know with an absolute certainty that they will never suffer for it personally. Schumer is no doubt laughing behind his hand. He will cruise to reelection and probably brak some more laws in that campaign.

Chinese intelligence gave millions proimarily to the DNC. How many people went to prison for that?

[Paulus Invictus]

OK, but has the FEC investigated Pubbies and found them accepting illegal donatioons? Fire them all, if that's the case! The RATS are in it up to their drawers and should be asked to leave their posts. Justice is not being served and has not since the Felon and his gang were never charged and imprisoned for multiple examples of law-breaking. It's enough to make one BARF!

[widowithfoursons]

I figure the FEC got a few peeks at some missing FBI files. Too low to go will never be too low for HRC.

[lepton]

bookmark bump

[dix]

I guess it’s kind of like the college teams that figure they will break all the rules, get a national championship out of it, suffer some NCAA penalties, but they still get the championship. What a crock!

[Blue Collar Christian]

When one gets caught breaking the rules, one should be put out of commission. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200 and pay a $10 fine.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Believe me, I'm pro-renual just like you. Fire them all! No matter the party. If some Republicans go down with alot of Democrats, tough! I just want people to think about the fire they're tending.

[Blue Collar Christian]

I can think of a Rat presidential candidate that should be imprisoned. The inmates would have loved his whining.