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FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20463
RQ-2
March 12, 2015
KEITH A. DAVIS, TREASURER
MARCO RUBIO FOR US SENATE
PO BOX 140420
MIAMI, FL 33114
Response Due Date
04/16/2015
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: C00458844
REFERENCE: OCTOBER QUARTERLY REPORT (07/01/2014 - 09/30/2014)
Dear Treasurer:
This letter is prompted by the Commission's preliminary review of the report referenced above. This notice requests information essential to full public disclosure of your federal election campaign finances. **An adequate response must be received at the Senate Public Records Office by the response date noted above. Failure to adequately respond by the response date noted above could result in an audit or enforcement action.** Additional information is needed for the following **3** item(s):
1. Schedule A of your report discloses one or more contributions that appear to exceed the limits set forth in the Act (see attached).
An individual or a political committee other than an authorized committee or qualified multi-candidate committee may not make a contribution(s) to a candidate for federal office in excess of $2,600 per election. An authorized committee may not make a contribution(s) to a candidate for federal office in excess of $2,000 per election. A qualified multi-candidate committee and all affiliated committees may not make a contribution(s) to a candidate for federal office in excess of $5,000 per election. The term "contribution" includes any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for federal office. (52 U.S.C. sec. 30116(a) and (f) (formerly 2 U.S.C. sec. 441a(a) and (f)); 11 CFR sec. 110.1(b), (e) and (k))
If any apparently excessive contribution in question was incompletely or incorrectly disclosed, you must amend your original report with the clarifying information. If any contribution you received exceeds the limits, you may have to refund the excessive amount.
Excessive contributions may be retained if, within 60 days of receipt, the
Campaign Finance - Rubio, U.S. Federal Election Commission, Marco Rubio for US Senate, Campaign Contributions Exceed Limits and Other Violations in October Quarterly Report (2014)
U.S. Federal Election Commission · March 12, 2015
The Federal Election Commission issued a compliance notice to the Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate committee regarding its October 2014 quarterly report. The letter requests clarification and corrective action for alleged excessive individual contributions, prohibited corporate donations, and unverified limited liability corporation contributions.
campaign finance fec FEC to Rubio violation
Document text
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MARCO RUBIO FOR US SENATE
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excessive portions are properly redesignated or reattributed. Guidelines for
each option are provided below.
For reattributions, excessive contributions from individuals can be retained if,
within 60 days of receipt, the excessive amount is properly reattributed to
another person. Please note that reattributions only apply to excessive
contributions from individuals. An excessive contribution is considered
properly reattributed if (1) the contributors provide the committee with written
documentation, signed by each contributor, authorizing a reattribution and
indicating the amount of the contribution to be attributed to each contributor; or
(2) the committee reattributes by presumption the excessive portion of the
contribution if the contribution was made on a written instrument from a joint
account and was signed by only one of the account holders. In this case, the
treasurer must notify the contributors in writing within 60 days of receiving the
contribution that the committee intends to reattribute the excessive portion and
must give the contributor an opportunity to request a refund. (11 CFR §
110.1(k)(3)(ii)(B))
For redesignations, the funds can be retained if, within 60 days of receipt, the
excessive amount is properly redesignated for a different election. An
excessive contribution is considered properly redesignated if (1) the committee
obtains signed written documentation from the contributor(s) authorizing the
redesignation of the contribution for another election, provided that the new
designation does not exceed the limitations on contributions made with respect
to that election; or (2) your committee redesignates by presumption the
excessive portion of the contribution for another election provided that the new
designation does not exceed the limitations on contributions made with respect
to that election. In this case, the treasurer must notify the contributor of the
redesignation in writing within 60 days of the treasurer's receipt of the
contribution. The notification must give the contributor an opportunity to
request a refund. (11 CFR § 110.1(b)(5)(ii)(B)) Please note that you cannot
presumptively redesignate an excessive contribution from a multi-candidate
committee. Also, a contribution can only be redesignated to a previous election
to the extent that the contribution does not exceed the committee's net debts
outstanding for that election. (11 CFR § 110.1(b)(3)(i))
If the foregoing conditions for reattributions or redesignations are not met
within 60 days of receipt of the contribution, the excessive amount must be
refunded. See 11 CFR § 103.3(b)(1).
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MARCO RUBIO FOR US SENATE
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If you have not already done so, please inform the Commission of your
corrective action immediately in writing and provide photocopies of any refund
checks and/or letters reattributing or redesignating the contributions in
question. Refunds are reported on Line 20(a), (b), or (c), as applicable, of the
Detailed Summary Page and on a supporting Schedule B of the report covering
the period in which they are made. Redesignations and reattributions are
reported as memo entries on Schedule A of the report covering the period in
which the authorization for the redesignation and/or reattribution is received.
(11 CFR § 104.8(d)(2), (3) and (4))
Although the Commission may take further legal action concerning the
acceptance of excessive contributions, your prompt action to refund,
redesignate, and/or reattribute the excessive amount will be taken into
consideration.
2. Schedule A of your report discloses one or more contributions that appear to
be from a corporation(s) and/or labor organization(s) (see attached). 52 U.S.C.
§ 30118(a) (formerly 2 U.S.C. § 441b(a)) and 11 CFR § 103.3(b) prohibit the
receipt of contributions from corporations and labor organizations unless made
from separate segregated funds established by the corporations and labor
organizations.
If any apparently prohibited contribution in question was incompletely or
incorrectly disclosed, you must amend your original report with clarifying
information.
If you have received prohibited contributions, you must make a refund within
30 days of the treasurer becoming aware of the illegality of the contribution.
(11 CFR § 103.3(b)(1) and (2))
If you have not already done so, please inform the Commission of your
corrective action immediately in writing and provide a photocopy of any refund
checks. Refunds must be reported on a Schedule B supporting Line 20(a) of the
report covering the period in which the refund is made. (11 CFR § 104.8(d)(4))
Although the Commission may take further legal action concerning the
acceptance of prohibited contributions, your prompt action to refund the
prohibited amount will be taken into consideration.
3. Schedule A of your report discloses one or more contributions that appear to
be from limited liability corporation(s) (LLC) (see attached). 11 C.F.R.
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MARCO RUBIO FOR US SENATE
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§110.1(g) allows the receipt of contributions from LLCs providing the LLC is
treated as a partnership for tax purposes, and has not elected to be treated as a
corporation by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Both LLCs that claim
corporate status and those that publicly traded would be treated as corporations
for FECA purposes.
Please amend your report to clarify if the LLCs in question are treated as
partnerships. If any apparently prohibited contribution in question was
incompletely or incorrectly disclosed, you must amend your original report
with clarifying information.
If you have received prohibited contributions, you must make a refund. (11
CFR § 103.3(b)(1)) The refund must be made within 30 days of the treasurer
becoming aware of the illegality of the contribution. (11 CFR § 103.3(b)(2))
If you have not already done so, please inform the Commission of your
corrective action immediately in writing and provide a photocopy of any refund
checks. Refunds must be reported on a Schedule B supporting Line 20(a) of the
report covering the period in which the refund was made. (11 CFR § 104.8(d)
(4))
Although the Commission may take further legal action concerning the
acceptance of prohibited contributions, your prompt action to refund the
prohibited amount will be taken into consideration.
**Please note, you will not receive an additional notice from the Commission on this**
**matter.** Adequate responses must be received by the Commission on or before the due
date noted above to be taken into consideration in determining whether audit action
will be initiated. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act may also result in an
enforcement action against the committee. Any response submitted by your committee
will be placed on the public record and will be considered by the Commission prior to
taking enforcement action. **Requests for extensions of time in which to respond will**
**not be considered.**
A written response or an amendment to your original report(s) correcting the above
problems should be filed with the Senate Public Records Office. Please contact the
Senate Public Records Office at (202) 224-0322 for instructions on how and where to
file an amendment. If you should have any questions regarding this matter or wish to
verify the adequacy of your response, please contact me on our toll-free number (800)
424-9530 (at the prompt press 5 to reach the Reports Analysis Division) or my local
number (202) 694-1154.
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MARCO RUBIO FOR US SENATE
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Sincerely,
Jill Sugarman
Jill Sugarman
Sr. Campaign Finance & Reviewing Analyst
Reports Analysis Division
476
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Excessive, Prohibited, and Impermissible Contributions
Marco Rubio for US Senate (C00458844)
Contributor Name
Date
Amount
Election
Berry, Yvonne
5/30/12
$200.00
P, 2016
Berry, Yvonne
3/25/13
$40.00
P, 2016
Berry, Yvonne
4/18/13
$180.00
P, 2016
Berry, Yvonne
5/22/13
$400.00
P, 2016
Berry, Yvonne Ms
1/9/14
$60.00
P, 2016
Berry, Yvonne Ms
8/7/14
$2,000.00
P, 2016
Diener, Robert
5/17/11
$2,500.00
P, 2016
Diener, Robert
4/26/13
$1,000.00
P, 2016
Diener, Robert Mr
7/31/14
$1,600.00
P, 2016
Heavener, James
3/14/13
$2,000.00
P, 2016
Heavener, James W Mr
8/29/14
$5,200.00
P, 2016
Heavener, James W Mr
9/15/14
-$2,600.00
P, 2016
Leone, Douglas Mr
9/30/14
$2,000.00
P, 2016
Leone, Douglas Mr
9/30/14
$2,000.00
P, 2016
Leone, Patricia Perkins Mrs
9/30/14
$2,000.00
P, 2016
Leone, Patricia Perkins Mrs
9/30/14
$2,000.00
P, 2016
Smith, Thomas S
7/30/13
$1,040.00
P, 2016
Smith, Thomas S Mr
9/30/14
$5,200.00
P, 2016
Stai, Dian Graves Ms
9/20/11
$1,000.00
P, 2016
Stai, Dian Graves Ms
10/3/11
$500.00
P, 2016
Stai, Dian Graves Ms
11/3/11
$500.00
P, 2016
Stai, Dian Graves Ms
12/8/11
$500.00
P, 2016
Stai, Dian Graves Ms
6/19/12
-$2,500.00
P, 2016
Stai, Dian Graves Mrs
9/30/14
$10,400.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary Ms
6/30/11
$200.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary Ms
8/8/11
$50.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary Ms
9/28/11
$20.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary Ms
12/12/11
$100.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary Ms
3/12/12
$50.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary Ms
4/26/12
$1,000.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary Ms
6/6/12
$1,000.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary G Ms
7/5/12
$80.00
P, 2016
Excessive Contributions from Individuals
Attachment Page 1 of 2
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Excessive, Prohibited, and Impermissible Contributions
Marco Rubio for US Senate (C00458844)
Contributor Name
Date
Amount
Election
Wolf, Mary G Ms
6/14/13
$0.40
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary G Ms
7/25/13
$99.60
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary G Mrs
4/28/14
$250.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary G Mrs
7/28/14
-$250.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary G Mrs
9/10/14
$500.00
P, 2016
Wolf, Mary G Mrs
9/30/14
$40.00
P, 2016
Contributor Name
Date
Amount
Election
Campos Land Company
9/15/14
$520.00
G, 2016
Campos Land Company
9/15/14
$520.00
P, 2016
Neurosurgical Associates of St. Augustine LLC
9/30/14
$1,000.00
P, 2016
Secure Health Tech LLC
9/30/14
$1,000.00
P, 2016
Titan Production Company, L.L.C.
9/16/14
$1,000.00
P, 2016
Contributions from Possible Prohibited Entities
Attachment Page 2 of 2