STATE OF MINNESOTA

CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD

 

FINDINGS IN THE MATTER THE 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT COPE AFL-CIO FUND

 

Procedural Background

 

Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ("Board") staff reviewed the Report of Receipts and Expenditures for 2002 filed by the 8th Congressional District COPE AFL-CIO Fund and found that the committee reported acceptance of contributions from 12 unregistered associations.

 

On March 19, 2003, Board staff sent written notice to Alan Netland, treasurer, of a potential violation of Minn. Stat. 10A.27, subd. 13, which prohibits a political fund from accepting contributions in excess of $100 from unregistered associations, unless, at the time the contributions are received, the unregistered association includes a written statement that meets the disclosure and reporting requirements imposed by Minn. Stat. 10A.20.

 

On April 4, 2003, Mr. Netland stated "while coordinating the banquet for the annual AFL-CIO convention, I accepted checks for banquet tickets from unions and not from their PAC's…I suggest to remedy this problem by returning the money to the individual unions and to assure you that no such infraction will occur again on my watch."

 

The Board considered this matter in executive sessions on April 24, 2003, and May 28, 2003. The Board's decision was based upon Board records and Mr. Netland's response.

 

 

Based on the record before it, the Board issues the following:

 

 

EVIDENTIARY FINDINGS

 

  1. Minn. Stat. 10A.27, subd. 13, (a) prohibits the treasurer of a political fund from accepting a contribution in excess of $100 from an association not registered with the Board.

 

  1. On August 20, 2002, the 8th Congressional COPE AFL-CIO Fund accepted contributions from 12 unregistered associations. These associations were: AFSCME Local 517, Albert Lea Trades and Labor, Capitol City Metal Workers, HERE Local 21, HERE Local 99, Millwrights Local 548, OPEIU Local 12, Railroad Brotherhood Legislative Board, Southern Dakota CLC, St. Paul Area APWU, UFCW Local 789, UFCW Local 1116. These unregistered associations contributed a total of $1,600 over the $100 limit.

 

 

 

Based on the above Statement of the Evidence, the Board makes the following:

 

 

CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING PROBABLE CAUSE

 

There is probable cause to believe that the 8th Congressional COPE AFL-CIO Fund violated Minn. Stat. 10A.27, subd. 13, when it accepted excess contributions from 12 unregistered associations on August 20, 2002.

 

 

Based on the above Findings, the Board issues the following:

 

 

ORDER

 

  1. The Board orders the 8th Congressional District COPE AFL-CIO Fund to return the amount in excess of $100 to the 12 unregistered associations, and to provide the Board with copies of the checks returning the contributions, and the accompanying letters, within thirty days.

 

  1. The record in this matter and all correspondence is hereby entered into public record in accordance with Minn. Stat. 10A.02, subd. 11.

 

 

 

 

Dated: May 28, 2003 _________________________________

Clyde Miller, Chair

Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board