FEC COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST ORENTLICHER CAMPAIGN ALLEGING MULTIPLE FUNDRAISING VIOLATIONS

Cross Posted: CircleCityPundit.com

Complaint alleges campaign accepted contributions from at least three individuals which exceeded legal limits

A complaint was mailed to the Federal Election Commission's General Counsel's office charging the Congressional Primary campaign of current State Representative David Orentlicher (D) of Indianapolis with soliciting and accepting individual donations of $9200 each from three contributors in 2007, in violation of 2 U.S.C. § 441a, the provision of the Act limiting individual contributions to $2300 per election.

According to the complaint itself:

Robert N. Bader Excessive Contributions

On December 24, 2007, Robert N. Bader, 5262 Roland Dr., Indianapolis, Indiana 46228-2225, contributed $2300 designated for the 2008 special election (see transaction ID# C4719400). Pursuant to the Act, this contribution constitutes the maximum Robert N. Bader can give towards Orentlicher's 2008 special election bid. Nevertheless, on December 24, 2007, Robert N. Bader again contributed $2300 specifically designated for the 2008 special election (see transaction ID# C4719399). Thus, the December 24th contribution is excessive and should have been refunded within 60 days (11 C.F.R. 103.3(b)(3)).

Tori Bader Excessive Contributions

On December 24, 2007, Tori Bader, 5262 Roland Dr., Indianapolis, Indiana 46228-2225, contributed $2300 designated for the 2008 special election (see transaction ID# C4719403). Pursuant to the Act, this contribution constitutes the maximum Tori Bader can give towards Orentlicher's 2008 special election bid. Nevertheless, on December 24, 2007, Tori Bader again contributed $2300 specifically designated for the 2008 special election (see transaction ID# C4719402). Thus, the December 24th contribution is excessive and should have been refunded within 60 days (11 C.F.R. 103.3(b)(3)).

Ann Stack Excessive Contributions

On December 7, 2007, Ann Stack, 4131 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208-4014, contributed $2300 designated for the 2008 special election (see transaction ID# C4719482). Pursuant to the Act, this contribution constitutes the maximum Ann Stack can give towards Orentlicher's 2008 special election bid. Nevertheless, on December 7, 2007, Ann Stack again contributed $2300 specifically designated for the 2008 special election (see transaction ID# C4719481). Thus, the December 7th contribution is excessive and should have been refunded within 60 days (11 C.F.R. 103.3(b)(3)).

According to 2 U.S.C. § 441a(i)/441e-1, the so-called "Millionaire's Amendment", House and Senate candidates are able to exceed individual contribution limits for their own campaign when an opponent injects a certain amount of their own personal funds into their race. These increased limits are only applicable after a campaign files an "FEC Form 11".

In the case of the Orentlicher campaign, FEC Form 11's were filed on March 28, 2008 and again on April 8th, 2008 in regards to the personal funds of Dr. Woodrow Myers. However, these filings are NOT retroactive, and thus do NOT apply to contributions received in December of 2007.