Obama Investigated for Taking Foreign Donations
The RNC Files Complaint with the Federal Election Commission
Oct 8, 2008
Barack Obama's fund raising has been fueled by contributions from foreign nationals as well as those in excess of the legal limit. The 49-page complaint was filed by the Republican National Committee (RNC) with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) because of reports of questionable contributions coming into the Obama campaign. Originally, Obama had pledged to accept public financing, but changed his mind.
The RNC Complaint
The complaint states that the Obama campaign has received 11,5000 questionable contributions from foreign nationals, totaling about $33.8 million, which is illegal. The CNSN News (Oct. 7, 2008) has reported that that the complaint further states says that Obama has raised untold amounts from people giving more than the $2,300 contribution limit because these contributors---some with listed names such as "Good Will" and "Doodad Pro"---have been given in increments of less than $200, which does not have to be itemized on candidates FEC filings.
These small increments allowed some donors to circumvent the legal contribution limit, according to the RNC. It has asked the FEC for an audit of all contributions that have come into Obama for America, the campaign committee for the Obama presidential campaign.
News Reports About Obama Over Limits and Foreign Donations
On Oct. 4 and Oct. 7, 2008, Newsweek published articles linking Obama to federal election violations, raising concerns about Obama relationship to foreign money and donations made under fake names. According to Joe Murray, writing in The Bulletin on Oct. 6, there is a problem because campaigns receiving under $200 from donors do not have to provide an itemized account of the donor, i.e. address, occupation and employer. Such donors are deemed "unitmeized." Traditionally, the FEC conducts a manatory audit after the election to ensure the campaign did not play fast and loose with donors who contribute $200 or less. Because Obama opted out of the public finance system, he is not required to submit the audit.
According to the news reports, Obama has 11,500 donors which has triggered one of the foreign flags but nothing has been done to correct the problem but implemented "quality control" measures after the press began to investigate where the contributions were coming from.
Election Law Requirements
According to election law, candidates are prohibited from taking donations from foreign nationals as to prevent foreign money from influencing a domestic election. Indicators that a campaign may have accepted foreign money includes a donor using a foreign passport, a foreign address or a foreign bank.
According to the complaint filed by the RNC, there is currently an investigation underway in Nigeria concerning fund raising money sent to Nigerians overseas then sent to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. In addition, Newsweek reported that two Palestinian brother purchased $33,000 worth of Obama T-shirts, a purchase that is considered a contribution. After the report, Obama returned the money.
The RNC filed the complaint on October 6, 2008 and at this time, the Barack Obama campaign has not responded to the filing.
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