CREW requests Federal Election Commission records on Matter Under Review

CREW requests all affidavits and other documentation regarding Matter Under Review: 6481 submitted by respondents RTTV America Inc. and Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee, Inc. and Lori Pyeatt in her official capacity as treasurer.

These records are likely to contribute to greater public awareness of the FEC’s decision-making process regarding foreign and domestic contributions to United States elections through subsidiaries. On July 12, 2011, America’s Survival Inc., filed a complaint with the FEC against RTTV America Inc. and Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee, Inc. and Lori Pyeatt in her official capacity as treasurer (“the Committee”) alleging that RTTV America violated the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 by producing an episode of a television show that “promoted and solicited campaign funds for then-presidential candidate Ron Paul.” The FEC found that RTTV and the Committee did not violate 2 U.S.C §441 and, although the FEC released the First General Counsel’s Report, none of the affidavits or documented materials submitted by the respondents were made public at the conclusion of MUR 6481. The requested documents will shed light on the extent to which domestic subsidiaries owned and controlled by foreign parents are or are not considered to be foreign entities and how the FEC interprets the regulations regarding control and decisions making in those corporate structures. The public has a clear interest in learning whether and how the FEC Commissioners interpret the potential use of foreign money in United States elections.