House GOP committee pays soft money fine

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2004/04/09/gopfine/

April 9, 2004 | WASHINGTON (AP) -- The National Republican Congressional Committee has agreed to pay a $280,000 civil fine for transferring big donations known as "soft money" to an outside group to finance ads in the 2000 election.

The Federal Election Commission says the NRCC transferred $500,000 in soft money to the U.S. Family Network during the primary season in 1999 to fund political ads that the NRCC should have paid for with a mix of soft money – unlimited donations from companies and others – and hard money, limited contributions from individuals.

The U.S. Family Network sent $300,000 to another group, Americans for Economic Growth. AEG then spent about $260,000 to run radio ads in fall 1999 accusing Democrats of planning to raid the Social Security fund and use it on other programs.

[asjr]

1. This is just peanuts

to the Republicans. And the damage has already been done.

[kevinhnc]

2. Isn't it funny?

They accused the Democrats of potentially raiding social security funds.

Now, * has made it so that social security will be bankrupt by 2019 due to the funds being raided.

[newyawker99]

6. Hi kevinhnc!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Robbien]

3. So it took four years to resolve this

How much is going on right now that is not going to come to light until another four years, if ever?

[NashVegas]

4. and now they're going after MoveOn

funny like a screen door in a submarine.

[SoCalDem]

5. The ONLY way that this will stop is

for the office hlders who took the illegal money to FORFEIT their position to their opponent.. That would keep these people "clean"..

To amass wads of illegal cash when they are RUNNING, and then after they win, to pay a pittance in a fine, is an outrage.. They got the money when it did them GOOD, and they should have to forfeit their job as payment for their wrongdoing..