STATE OF MINNESOTA

CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD

 

FINDINGS IN THE MATTER THE WORKING FAMILIES COALITION

 

Procedural Background

 

Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ("Board") staff reviewed the Report of Receipts and Expenditures for 2002 filed by the Working Families Coalition (#30569) and found that the committee reported acceptance of contributions in excess of $100 from three unregistered associations.

 

On May 15, 2003, Board staff sent written notice to Brian Biele, treasurer, Working Families Coalition, 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 June 26, 2003, Mr. Biele stated "Please note that under no situation was the collection of the…funds intended to purposely result in non-compliance with state laws."

 

The Board considered this matter in executive session on August 27, 2003. The Board's decision was based upon Board records and Mr. Biele'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. In calendar year 2002, the Working Families Coalition accepted contributions in excess of $100 from three unregistered associations. These associations were: the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers #1, the Minnesota Cement Masons #633, and the Willmar Buildings and Trades Council. These unregistered associations contributed a total of $3,900 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 Working Families Coalition violated Minn. Stat. 10A.27, subd. 13, when it accepted excess contributions from three unregistered associations in calendar year 2002.

 

 

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

 

 

ORDER

 

  1. The Board orders the Working Families Coalition to return the amount in excess of $100 to the three 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: __________________________________________

Clyde Miller, Chair

Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board