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Print This PageThe Federal Election Commission has fined U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s congressional campaign $1,500 and ordered his staff to get more training because of paperwork errors in campaign disclosure documents.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan
During Buchanan’s 2010 re-election, his campaign reported collecting $27,900 in donations to retire debts accumulated during the 2010 primary, according to a negotiated settlement document made public by the FEC on Friday. But Buchanan’s campaign had no debts to retire from that campaign against underfunded Bradenton Republican Don Baldauf, according to the FEC.
Buchanan, who had more than $1 million in his campaign account at the time, easily defeated Baldauf, winning 84 percent of the vote.
Buchanan’s campaign eventually refunded the donations, but not until after repeated notices from the Federal Election Commission went unanswered.
Buchanan’s campaign treasurer Joe Gruters, who is also the Sarasota County Republican Party chairman, was also cited by the FEC for violations because of his role with the campaign.
As part of an agreement to settle the issues, Buchanan’s campaign agreed to pay the civil fine and send a representative to an FEC training seminar within a year.
William McGinley, an attorney representing Buchanan, characterized the issue as “minor bookkeeping infraction.”
Buchanan has been under investigation for other, potentially more serious matters related to the FEC, the U.S. Justice Department and the House Ethics Committee. But the paperwork issue is the first time Buchanan’s campaign has been fined directly.
In December, FEC documents for the first time reported that three of Buchanan’s former car dealerships were fined for illegally reimbursing employees for giving donations to Buchanan’s 2006 and 2008 campaigns. Buchanan and his campaign were never fined, though FEC investigators declared that Buchanan “more likely than not” violated the law.
Buchanan’s campaign acknowledged in October that the U.S. Justice Department is investigating the three-term Congressman for an undisclosed matter.
And on Dec. 22, the House Ethics Committee announced for the first time that they are reviewing another undisclosed matter related to Buchanan. The Ethics Committee is expected to rule on that matter by Feb. 6.
what a joke. this scam artist should be thrown out of office.
i guess that will be up to the voters in november !