Dear FEC: Please do your job

[Omaha Steve]

The New Republic magazine just reported that Robert Murray, the CEO of the nation’s largest coal company, allegedly pressures his employees into making political donations to Big Coal, and has even based bonuses on whether or not employees wrote checks and attended fundraisers.

Will you urge the Federal Election Commission to investigate whether Murray's bullying tactics violating election law?


Take action here: https://www.unpac.org/murray-energy/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MurrayEnergy_10_10_12




Whether it’s a holiday party, golf tournament, or some other work event—we’ve all felt the pressure to show our faces. But can you imagine if your bonus was based on whether you wrote checks for politicians at campaign fundraisers?

If you work at Murray Energy, the country’s largest privately owned coal company, that may be the case.

An investigation just published by The New Republic magazine found that Robert Murray, CEO of Murray Energy and a prominent fundraiser, allegedly coerced his employees into donating to pro-coal candidates. Internal documents reveal that he publicly called out specific employees who had not attended his fundraising events.

Collecting donations for a candidate or a corporate PAC in the workplace is not illegal, as long as employees are not punished or rewarded for it. But Murray’s aggressive tactics may have crossed the line into money laundering and extortion.

Will you call on the Federal Election Commission to immediately investigate whether Murray violated campaign finance law? When we get to 20,000 signatures we'll deliver the petition to Caroline Hunter, Chair of the commission.

Robert Murray is a prominent Republican donor and a major fundraiser for candidates who support his company's agenda. The New Republic’s investigation found that Murray bullied his employees into giving up their hard-earned dollars in support of his political goals. When Murray felt his employees didn’t donate enough, he sent a memo saying: “We have been insulted by every salaried employee who does not support our efforts.” He even claimed that if workers did not donate to Murray Energy's PAC, "the coal industry will be eliminated and so will your job."

Worse. Boss. Ever.

Coercing employees into donating to specific candidates is as un-democratic as forcing them to vote a certain way at the ballot box. Several groups have already filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission, urging them to investigate Murray Energy. But the FEC has been failing to do its job – enforcing laws that are meant to keep elections fair. If we allow the FEC to turn a blind eye to Robert Murray’s coercion, we are leaving the door open for them to ignore all sorts of corruption.

Will you take a moment to add your voice and sign the petition calling on the chair of the Federal Election Commission to investigate Murray?

The story of Murray Energy refects the corrupting influence that limitless money in politics has on our democracy. We're partnering with Demand Progress to hold Murray Energy accountable and to ensure that the Federal Election Commission is truly protecting the integrity of our elections. While we work toward comprehensive reforms, we must also ensure that existing election law is upheld.

Thank you,

Matt and the unPAC team



Sources:

The New Republic: Coal Miner's Donor

The Hill: Watchdog groups and Ohio Democrats accuse coal executive of coercing donations

Washington Times: Toothless, overwhelmed FEC is ignored by campaigns

Murray

The New Republic magazine just reported that Robert Murray, the CEO of the nation’s largest coal company, allegedly pressures his employees into making political donations to Big Coal, and has even based bonuses on whether or not employees wrote checks and attended fundraisers.

Will you urge the Federal Election Commission to investigate whether Murray's bullying tactics violating election law?

Sign the petition


United Republic, Purpose, and Rootstrikers have partnered to form unPAC.org, an incubator for campaigns that shed light on big special interests and the politicians they corrupt. Together, we are building an unprecedented movement to get big money out of politics.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter