The American Prospect: Watchdogs Sue Over FEC Inaction
The Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21 argue in their lawsuit that the agency’s dismissal of their complaints has given donors the green light to violate disclosure laws without punishment. The FEC’s inaction signals further dysfunction in the agency charged with enforcing such violations, those filing the suit allege.
“This clearly is an agency out of control,” said Larry Noble, general counsel for the Campaign Legal Center, in a statement. “The agency is now sanctioning the intentional undermining of the integrity of campaign-finance disclosure. Each time the commission fails to pursue a serious violation of the law, it weakens our democracy and the ability of Americans to know who is truly influencing our elections. It also sends a loud and clear message that those who violate campaign-finance laws will face no penalties.”