It seems there have been numerous maximum level ($2,000) contributions to Senator John Edward's presidential campaign fund. Most seem to come from lower level employees of large law firms, most from California, and, what is really weird is that several of the employees in the same firm send in their maximum contributions on the same day. Even stranger, is that most of them have not voted for several years or had ever contributed to anyone's political campaigns before. Another thing that seems a bit funny, is that most of them are registered as Republicans, but Sen. Edwards is Democrat.
According to the Federal Election Campaign Act, contributions by an individual or entity to a political campaign in the name of another person are prohibited. Both the named and concealed donors are liable. The campaign is also liable if it knowingly accepts conduit funds.There is no direct evidence that the pattern of giving in this article constitutes improper or illegal activity on the part of any individuals, law firms, or the Edwards campaign. Legal support staffers who spoke to The Hill said they neither expected nor were promised reimbursement for their contributions. The law firms did not return calls seeking comment.
Nevertheless, the seeming pattern of contributions by many low-level employees has raised concerns among several campaign finance watchdogs.
“It seems on the surface very suspicious,” said Bill Allison of the non-partisan Center for Public Integrity. “I think it is somewhat questionable that people who have never donated before would suddenly donate $2,000,” he said.
Larry Noble, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, also said the pattern of donations is surprising. “When you see groupings of contributions being given by office workers who are not among the highest-paid, and you see them maxed-out and their spouses maxed-out, then questions get raised,” he said.
Usually, when you smell a skunk, that is a good sign something a bit smelly is going on nearby. Keep an eye on this situation as it definitely seems to have a distinctive odor hanging over it.
attribution: Country Store > The Hill
Blog note: ***: Raggin' & Rantin' to has added to Country Store's blogroll, and I feel very honored to be included in a list with so many of the best blogs in the blogosphere.
Posted by Tiger at May 7, 2003 07:51 PM