This presser was sent our way by the Michigan Democratic Party. Michigan Dem. Chair Mark Brewer is filing a complaint with the FEC and calling for an investigation into the RNC’s fundraising tactics in Michigan. Included on the list is Gaylen Byker, president of Calvin College.
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer today filed a complaint with the FEC against Ron Weiser, the Michigan Republican Party, Michael Steele, the Republican National Committee, and 17 GOP contributors alleging they violated the Federal Election Campaign Act.
According to a story in The Daily Caller, the RNC and MRP had an agreement to increase the RNC’s fundraising numbers and funnel money back to the MRP by laundering money between the two. The complaint states that this agreement was put into place in order for these 17 donors to exceed the federal contribution limit of $10,000 annually to the MRP.
“This is a blatant violation of the law,” Brewer said. “It’s clear that Michael Steele and Ron Weiser were trying to avoid federal limitations on contributions in order to increase the RNC’s fundraising numbers and funnel funds to the MRP.”
The Republican donors listed in the complaint include: Albert and Paula Berriz, Gaylen Byker, Thomas and Vicki Celani, Michael and Kellie Ferrantino, Michael and Susan Jandernoa, John and Nancy Kennedy, Robert and Joyce Lynas, William Parfet, Robert Thompson, and William and Vivienne Young.
“These donors are just as responsible as Weiser and Steele,” Brewer continued. “Many of these contributors had never given the maximum donation to the RNC until this illegal scheme was hatched. It’s clear the FECA was violated.”