Greene has repeatedly explored the depths of conspiracy theory with outrageous claims such as Parkland survivor David Hogg being paid actors. But after McCarthy was disgraced last year, she’s been on a quest to prove herself again.
The Federal Elections Commission alleges she violated campaign finance laws by posting ads from Stop Socialism Now PAC on her social media accounts.
What Happened?
Greene has been fined $12,000 by the Federal Election Commission for violating fundraising rules surrounding her Stop Socialism Now PAC, specifically posting its video ad to Greene for Congress social media accounts asking for donations – potentially in violation of Federal Election Campaign Act provisions that allow unlimited contributions.
Common Cause, an advocacy group, launched an investigation into this ad.
Greene released an advertisement in December 2020 explaining that she is running for Congress to “stop the Left’s plan to overturn our Constitutional democracy” and put an end to Nancy Pelosi as Speaker and Jon Ossoff becoming our next U.S. Senator. The spot appeared both on Greene’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
FEC levied Greene with the $12,000 fine
Greene’s appearance in the ad led many to suspect she violated campaign finance rules, as candidates aren’t supposed to solicit funds for entities not subject to restrictions that apply directly to them. Legal experts disagreed as to whether her appearance crossed any lines. Jan Baran, a Republican campaign finance expert told ProPublica that Greene may have not broken campaign finance law since her appearance did not specifically ask for donations and displayed no donation limits of $5,000 or lower.
the FEC levied Greene with the $12,000 fine as part of a conciliation agreement released Friday, citing her posting an ad produced by Stop Socialism Now to support candidates running in two Georgia Senate runoff elections in January 2021 on her official Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts. This ad featured Rick Shaftan a North Carolina consultant handling ads for Greene’s campaign and working closely with gun rights activists affiliated with her congresswomanship.
FEC regulations
The Federal Election Commission found Greene guilty of violating law when she posted a video ad on her official social media accounts asking for money for Stop Socialism Now super PAC, an entity which can accept unlimited donations whereas candidates and elected officials may only solicit up to $5,000 per donor per cycle according to FEC regulations.
Legal experts differ on how strict that rule should be. Jan Baran, an influential Republican campaign finance attorney, believes the ad does not breach campaign finance law because its fundraising message flashed only while Greene wasn’t visible and because her name doesn’t appear anywhere on its donation page.
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ProPublica’s reporting
Experts agree that Greene’s cameo violates campaign finance law, according to ProPublica’s reporting of Common Cause’s analysis. The Supreme Court has long upheld contribution limits and disallowed candidates and super PACs associated with them from seeking funds outside the limits, according to Common Cause. Political operatives often push campaigns that blur lines between candidates and committees; when advertisements feature explicit requests for contributions or require contributions for publication they violate this rule according to Common Cause.
The video begins with Greene appearing before a screen, prompting a voiceover to ask viewers to support his efforts with donations. While not explicitly calling for unlimited donations, FEC disclosures allow him to solicit up to $5,000 from individuals. Since his appearance with VIEW PAC and Greene has taken part, over $50K has been raised and two donors have given more than the $5,000 threshold limit.
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