Rev. Jackson, His Groups Given Election Fines for 2000
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The Democratic Party, the Rev. Jesse Jackson (search) and two groups associated with the civil rights activist have agreed to pay a total of $200,000 in civil fines for campaign finance violations in the 2000 elections.
At issue in the Federal Election Commission case was about $450,000 in election spending by Jackson, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and the Citizenship Education Fund (search) using funds from the groups. The two non-profit groups were incorporated, making their money corporate and subject to restrictions under federal campaign finance laws.
According to the FEC, the money was used for a partisan get-out-the-vote effort and voter registration speaking tour that was coordinated with the Democratic National Committee and included appearances by Jackson and Democratic House and Senate candidates.
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Federal campaign finance law bans the use of corporate money for partisan, candidate-specific federal election activities.
Under an agreement with the FEC, Jackson and the two groups will share in a $100,000 civil penalty, and the DNC will also pay $100,000. The commission announced the outcome of the case Thursday.
The $450,000 in election spending was eventually reimbursed by the Democratic National Committee and various other Democratic entities.