CREW FILES FEC COMPLAINT AGAINST THE NOVEMBER FUND

22 Sep 2004 // Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) regarding activity by the recently formed 527 organization, The November Fund.

CREW's complaint alleges that because a major purpose of The November Fund is to influence the upcoming presidential election, it is a "political committee" under FEC law and must comply with the same contribution limits and reporting requirements followed by other political committees.

The complaint also alleges that the Chamber of Commerce made an illegal corporate contribution of $500,000 to The November Fund, that the Fund is illegally coordinating its activities with the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign committee, and that it is planning to engage in "electioneering communications," meaning that within 60 days of the election, the Fund plans to run print and television ads specifically naming Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards.