Florida Democratic fundraiser fined over $200,000 (Wizbang Politics)

I'm surprised by the size of the fine.

TALLAHASSEE -- A veteran fundraiser for the Florida Democratic Party has agreed to pay more than $200,000 to settle charges that a fundraising organization he once led committed numerous election-law violations.
State House Democrats, led at the time by former Rep. Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale, set up Florida House Victory in 2003 to raise money independently of the state party during a time when legislative leaders were at odds with the party chairman, Scott Maddox.

But the Florida Elections Commission ruled last year that the fundraising committee, which has since been shut down, accepted campaign contributions above legal limits. The commission found enough evidence to charge Florida House Victory with 209 violations of election law.

Instead of challenging the charges, which Democrats say were the result of routine paperwork mistakes, Jeff Ryan, the brother of former State Rep. Tim Ryan, agreed to pay $209,000 in fines.

Its always paperwork mistakes. The limit for contriutions is $500 per donor, but they took a $50,000 check from the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association. Someone got their zeros mixed up. Can someone at least come up with a creative excuse?

Better yet, we just wanted the money. The truth would shock people.

The Wizbang® Network

Wizbang: No Biden Bounce

So says Gallup: "It's official: Barack Obama has received no bounce in voter support out of his selection of Sen. Joe Biden to be his vice presidential running mate. Gallup...

2:15 PM | 0 comments

Wizbang: Clowns and Commerce

As often happens in these things, we are told that this election is about the economy. That's no surprise, people often vote by how they feel about their jobs and...

11:52 AM | 8 comments

Wizbang: McCain Myths

Well, over the weekend, I took a look at a couple of the myths surrounding Barack Obama, ones that have been endlessly repeated. Now I'm going to do the same...

11:00 AM | 15 comments

Wizbang Pop!: Rapper Dr. Dre's Son Dead at 20

The Los Angeles County Coroner reported today that the son of hip hop record producer and rapper Dr. Dre has died. Andre Young Jr. was found dead at his...

8:44 AM | 1 comments

Wizbang Pop!: Keaton to Star in Next Toy Story

Batman actor Michael Keaton will star in the forthcoming Toy Story movie. Keaton will voice Barbie's boyfriend Ken in the animated Disney film, which is slated for release in...

8:12 AM | 0 comments

Wizbang Pop!: Bad Ass Puppy Lovers

About 15 years ago, a group of animal-loving, tattooed bikers in the New York area began acting on behalf of abused animals. The men volunteered at shelters and the...

7:58 AM | 1 comments

Wizbang: New John McCain Ad

It's 3:00am. Hillary's famous ad gets the John McCain touch. Hat tip: Hot Air....

7:54 AM | 6 comments

Wizbang Pop!: Pitt Shoots Family for Cover of W

Fashion Week Daily is reporting that Brad Pitt photographed Angelina Jolie and brood at the Chateau Miraval in the South of France last week for the November cover of...

7:45 AM | 0 comments

Wizbang Pop!: Real Housewife Gets Frisky

Too bad video cameras for "The Real Housewives of NYC" weren't trained on the reality show's cast member Countess LuAnn de Lesseps at the Southampton wedding of BlueStar Jets...

7:39 AM | 0 comments

Wizbang Pop!: Charlie Sheen says wife is pregnant

Charlie Sheen, star of hit U.S. television sitcom "Two and a Half Men," revealed on Monday that he and his wife Brooke Mueller are expecting their first child together....

7:26 AM | 0 comments

Comments (3)

Sure, I buy it! Why not? ... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by Jim Addison | January 11, 2008 2:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Jim Addison:

Sure, I buy it! Why not? I always just pay the fines and penalties rather than keep my paperwork in order. Who has the time? And, after all, it's only money . . .

;-)

Posted on January 11, 2008 14:44

News from top national and ... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by head line news | January 11, 2008 4:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

head line news:

News from top national and international online publishing sources and rss feeds - updated in real time.

Posted on January 11, 2008 16:48

What happened in 2004, were... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by DoubleU | January 11, 2008 6:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

DoubleU:

What happened in 2004, were they out of money or did they get a fine back then?

Posted on January 11, 2008 18:11