FEC Complaint Filed Against Grayson

[Roland99]

Source: WKMG-6

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A Central Florida voter is filing a federal elections complaint against Rep. Alan Grayson, claiming he violated federal law by soliciting corporate donations for a nonfederal candidate.

The complaint mailed Wednesday takes issue with a fundraising invitation for Democrat Scott Maddox' agriculture commissioner campaign. Grayson is listed as the headlining guest on the invitation, which Grayson's House campaign sent to supports.

The invitation for Thursday's event states the maximum contributions for individuals, corporations and political action committees.

Steve Gillespie is asking for a Federal Elections Commission investigation.

Read more: http://www.clickorlando.com/politics/22931939/detail.html

[gateley]

1. Don't forget about Grayson's Money Bomb on the 27th - Saturday! Do they

think this will be a problem, or just a whiny Republican action (kind of like they're doing now on the Senate floor)?

[Mithreal]

2. Aren't corporate donations protected by the first amendment now?

just asking

[JoeyT]

3. Probably not for Democratic party members.

Remember, there are two sets of rules. (Actually there seem to be about 20 sets of rules.)

[Roland99]

4. Here is more information on this >>>

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2010/03/election-complaint-filed-against-grayson.html

As evidence, Steve Gillespie of Celebration cited an invitation (available here) sent by Grayson’s campaign asking that supporters attend a Thursday fundraiser for Scott Maddox, who is running for agriculture commissioner, and donate $500. It notes that “contributions are limited to $500 per person or corporate entity.”

The complaint alleges that Grayson broke the law by seeking donations from corporations for the fundraiser at Dexter’s in Winter Park. Gillespie said in his complaint that federal candidates are prohibited from soliciting corporate donations for state candidates. However, as a candidate for state office, Maddox is allowed to accept corporate contributions.

...

A Grayson spokesman said the complaint was not vaild.

“We checked with our federal election attorney, and he told us that the complaint is entirely without merit. He says that a virtually identical complaint was filed against Sen. John McCain last year and was dismissed,” said Todd Jurkowski, a Grayson spokesman, in a statement.

[No Elephants]

5. Speech (requests for money) = speech. Money also = speech. Case closed.