FEC to pols: Blow whistle on yourself

[DoYouEverWonder]

Nov 30, 2006

WASHINGTON - The Federal Election Commission on Thursday took steps to encourage politicians and contributors to report their own possible violations of campaign finance laws by offering them significantly reduced fines.

Commission officials said the number of self-reported violations has increased recently, prompting the need for a specific policy that spells out how the FEC will dispose of such cases.

"This is not meant to be a get out of jail free card," said Commissioner Ellen Weintraub. "If you're racing to the FEC three steps in front of the guy who's got the complaint in his hand against you, this policy is probably not for you."

Before fully adopting the policy, the commission has asked for public comment on the proposal by Jan. 29.

The proposal contains two penalty recommendations for violators who voluntarily blow the whistle on themselves. One would reduce civil penalties by 50 to 75 percent of standard fines, depending on the steps taken to report and correct the violation. Another would set the reduction at 50 percent, but give the commission leeway to lower or increase the discount based on mitigating factors.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061130/ap_on_go_ot/campaign_finance

What is this, a pre-emptive strike? Hurry up and get a great deal on your sentencing before you get indicted.

[Redstone]

1. My God, at first I thought the headline said "FEC to pols: Blow yourself."

I need sleep.

Redstone

[Doctor_J]

2. This is like the polluters being ordered to voluntarily stop using

the atmosphere for a toilet. The anti-big-government GOP is happy to keep their hands off when elections are being stolen or when anthrax is sent to Dem senators, but won't hesitate to come down like a ton of bricks if someone with a "war sucks" t-shirt gets in view of Il Dunce'.

Fascism, anyone?

[VegasWolf]

3. Christmas is coming early for the Republicans this year! nt

[knight_of_the_star]

4. That's a waste

That's like asking motorists to report themselves for speeding so they can get a smaller fine on their ticket. Ain't gonna happen.

[w4rma]

5. I don't support this. The potential for abuse is huge. (nt)

[LiberalFighter]

6. Specific requirements need to be met

Not just racing to beat a whistleblower to exposing them.

How soon after the violation and they report it should also be a factor. Also, when they first knew about the violation. If they report the violation a year late it should be 100% of the fine. If they report it 6 months probably still 100%. How much of an audit are they required to perform on their finances? If they don't report the contributions they are suppose to report on a daily basis and it is a week or 2 before the election it should be 100% of the fine. How much time after the election is over do they have to finalize everything?

They must be making good faith effort to file as required. They can't be trying to use a supposed loophole to avoid filings.

It should be a lot easier to do it right the first time considering they have software that should keep them honest.