CREW FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST MARTINEZ FOR SENATE AND THE US-CUBA DEMOCRACY PAC

26 Apr 2004 // Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that Martinez for Senate and the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC committed several serious violations of federal campaign laws. The Cuban exile PAC failed to report that on December 22, 2003 it held a luncheon attended by Florida Governor Jeb Bush to support Florida Senate Candidate and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez before Martinez had formally declared his candidacy.

CREW's complaint alleges that in its April 15 Quarterly Report, the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC paid $5,106.79 to the Biltmore Hotel for a luncheon apparently held for Martinez, and attended by him, but failed to disclose that the contribution was made to Martinez for Senate. The cost of the luncheon exceeded the $5,000 campaign contribution limit by $106.79. In addition, the PAC later made an additional illegal $2,000 contribution to Martinez for Senate.

Martinez for Senate violated FEC law by failing to disclose the receipt of the $5,106.79 in-kind contribution and it may have inaccurately reported contributions received at the luncheon.