527s Fined by FEC for 2004 Campaign

http://www.fec.gov/press/press2006/20061213murs.html

FEC COLLECTS $630,000 IN CIVIL PENALTIES FROM THREE 527 ORGANIZATIONS

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission announced today that it has reached settlements with three 527 organizations accused of violating the federal campaign finance laws during the 2004 presidential election. The League of Conservation Voters 527 and 527II, MoveOn.org Voter Fund, and Swiftboat Veterans and POWs for Truth have collectively paid almost $630,000 to settle charges that they failed to register and file disclosure reports as federal political committees, and accepted contributions in violation of federal limits and source prohibitions. The Commission approved all three conciliation agreements by a vote of 6-0.

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Their failure to register with the Commission, abide by contribution limits and prohibitions, and file disclosure reports resulted in the organizations agreeing to pay the following civil penalties:

League of Conservation Voters 527 and 527II -- $180,000
MoveOn.org Voter Fund -- $ 150,000
Swiftboat Veterans and POWs for Truth -- $ 299,500

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Among other spending in the 2004 election, the League of Conservation Voters 527 groups funded door-to-door and phone canvassing activities that expressly advocated the election of Senator Kerry and the defeat of President Bush. MoveOn.org Voter Fund produced television advertisements targeted to Presidential battleground states aimed at defeating George W. Bush, and its solicitations for funds clearly indicated that the funds received would be used to defeat President Bush in the 2004 general election. Swiftboat Veterans and POWs for Truth produced advertisements and sent out direct mail that attacked John Kerry and expressly advocated his defeat.

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COORDINATION ALLEGATIONS

Following an investigation, the Commission dismissed allegations that SwiftVets unlawfully coordinated its activities with President Bush’s campaign committee, Bush-Cheney ’04