On November 3, 2000, Jennifer Gorski ("Complainant") filed a complaint with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ("Board") alleging that the Friends of Chris Tiedeman Committee ("Committee") violated certain provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 10A.

The Complainant alleges that the Committee received in kind contributions from a political organization known as the College Republican National Committee ("CRNC") consisting of payments for telephone bills and payments for Federal Express deliveries. The Complainant further alleges that the Committee failed to disclose these in kind contributions on its Reports of Receipts and Expenditures.

Chris Tiedeman, candidate, responded by letter dated November 14, 2000. He states that in his capacity as treasurer for the CRNC he was reimbursed for part of his telephone usage until April 2000. Mr. Tiedeman further states that the Committee paid the CRNC for the Federal Express charges, which totaled $46.02. The response includes a letter from Scott Stewart, chairman for the CRNC.

This Board considered the matter in executive session on December 12, 2000. No one appeared on behalf of either party.

1. The Friends of Chris Tiedeman Committee is a principal campaign committee that registered with the Board on March 17, 2000.

2. Chris Tiedeman is treasurer for the political organization known as the College Republican National Committee ("CRNC").

3. Chris Tiedeman was reimbursed for part of his telephone bills between July, 1999, and April, 2000.

4. In September 2000 the Committee reimbursed the CRNC $46.02 for Federal Express charges it had incurred.

5. The CRNC reimburses its national officers up to $115 per month for telephone bills. Chris Tiedeman was not reimbursed for telephone bills after April, 2000.

 

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

FINDINGS CONCERNING PROBABLE CAUSE

There is no probable cause to believe that the Friends of Chris Tiedeman Committee violated the reporting requirements of Minnesota Statutes Chapter 10A by failing to disclose in kind contributions from the College Republican National Committee.

The complaint regarding the Friends of Chris Tiedeman Committee is dismissed and the record in this matter is hereby entered into the public record in accordance with Minn. Stat. 10A.02, subd. 11.

Dated:    December 12, 2000

Will Fluegel, chair

Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board