Since 2007, the only enforcement actions taken by the New York State Board of Elections for violations of the campaign finance laws have been modest fines levied on committees that filed their disclosure reports late. In the July 2012 filing period, 3,639 committees reporting $217,256,855. In the bank filed disclosure reports. As of August 13, a full month after the filing deadline, 2,328 active committees with $31,181,363. In the bank had still not disclosed any transactions.
Since 2007, the only enforcement actions taken by the New York State Board of Elections for violations of the campaign finance laws have been modest fines levied on committees that filed their disclosure reports late. In the July 2012 filing period, 3,639 committees reporting $217,256,855. In the bank filed disclosure reports. As of August 13, a full month after the filing deadline, 2,328 active committees with $31,181,363. In the bank had still not disclosed any transactions.
Since 2007, the only enforcement actions taken by the New York State Board of Elections for violations of the campaign finance laws have been modest fines levied on committees that filed their disclosure reports late. In the July 2012 filing period, 3,639 committees reporting $217,256,855. In the bank filed disclosure reports. As of August 13, a full month after the filing deadline, 2,328 active committees with $31,181,363. In the bank had still not disclosed any transactions.
EzW/Z'^>K^Z>KK< CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS ROUTINELY FLOUTED; OVER $30 MILLION IN CANDIDATE FUNDS MISSING IN ACTION Responses to two FOIL requests made by NYPIRG over the past year reveal that since 2007 the only enforcement actions taken by the New York State Board of Elections for violations of the campaign finance laws have been modest fines levied on committees that filed their disclosure reports late. On the surface these documents seem to indicate that the Maytag Repairman could handle enforcement duties for the Board: n ? s so smoothly that there are few violators and there is no need for any corrective measures. Unfortunately, a closer look makes it clear that this is not the case. Every year, hundreds of donors give more money than is allowed by state law that has highest limits of any state capping donation size; scores of candidates fail to disclose large contributions received in the run-up to Election Day; thousands of filings obfuscate the identity of donors or the purpose of expenditures through the inclusion of incomplete or incorrect information; and dozens of incumbent lawmakers spend campaign funds for what reasonable people would unanimously agree are non-campaign reasons. Even an examination of committees that file late - the one violation for which the Board has played an active enforcement role - reveals that there is significant room for improvement. The fines the Board issues for this type of violation, usually between $100 and $1,000, clearly are not enough to deter candidates who appear to have no interest in filing on time or, in some cases, ever. In the July 2012 filing period, 3,639 committees reporting $217,256,855.23 in the bank filed disclosure reports. As of August 13, a full month after the filing deadline, 2,328 active committees with $31,181,363.85 in the bank based on previous filings had still not disclosed any transactions. These non-filing committees fall into two categories. The first includes candidates who have simply not filed, often for several years. 622 committees with $12,151,845.41 in the bank belong to this category. 1 for the past few reporting periods. The Board authorizes the use of these reports only when a committee has had no transactions over the course of a six month period. 1 Many of the committees that
1 Election Law 14-108 makes clear that candidate committees must report regularly to the State Board of board shall provide that every political committee which has filed a statement of treasurer and depository shall make at least one filing every six months between the time such statement of treasurer and depository is filed and the time such commit 1 8 have filed no-activity reports have bank accounts totaling tens of thousands of dollars or more; it is unlikely that each of them truly have not received as much as a dime in interest or paid a dollar in bank fees over the course of several years. Further, since the Board never appears to conduct audits of filers, it is impossible to know if any of these candidates and/or their treasurers simply pocketed the remainder of their funds after losing an election. The two charts below make clear that the Board drops the ball even when it comes to the one enforcement action they purportedly engage in. Much of the blame is likely due to 8 inherently partisan structure, while some surely can be laid on the lack of funding they have received in recent budget cycles. That said, we can find no record of the Board asking for additional resources or authority for enforcement or auditing. In either case, these lists make it even clearer than before that 8 an absolutely critical component of any potential reform packages. Notable committees that have not recently filed any reports The following charts focus on candidates and party committees, but include a few notable PACs. All of these committees have been checked at least twice since Monday, August 13 th . It is possible that some have filed in the last few days and their appearance on this chart is dated. Nevertheless, :is over a month late. Some of these committees may have transferred money to other committees controlled by the same individuals, though a quick look shows that none of these transactions have been made recently. Even if they did, however, this does not allow them to simply avoid filing for their former committees. Former Senator Pedro Espada has more committees on this list than any other candidate. Two of his campaign committees and two PACs have a total of $378,499.68 in the bank, none of which have filed in the past two years. Committee Name Link Last Known $ On Hand Last Time Reporting Transactions Last Time Filing a No-Activity- Report FRIENDS OF STEVE LEVY 2 Link $4,012,403.71 2011 July None Filed FRIENDS OF PETE MC GOWAN Link $1,127,007.38 2006 January None Filed NEW YORKERS FOR ESPADA Link $290,556.24 2010 11 Pre Primary None Filed RECALL BALL Link $200,000.00 2008 July None Filed
clear that any candidate committee who has raised or spent over $1,000 during the course of any campaign for been any activity (i.e., receipts See, e.g., New York State Board of Elections Campaign Finance Handbook 2012, p. 121: http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/finance/hndbk2012.pdf)
2 S L S C uA P required to file under election law. FRIENDS OF DICK GOTTFRIED Link $150,497.08 2012 January None Filed FRIENDS OF LEECIA EVE Link $71,430.77 2010 July 2011 July COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT STATE SENATOR OLGA A. MENDEZ Link $70,821.48 2004 11 Pre General None Filed ANNE ADAMS FOR JUSTICE Link $66,000.00 2008 July None Filed ESPADA FOR THE PEOPLE Link $62,593.51 2008 11 Pre Primary None Filed TRUTH ABOUT BALL Link $50,000.00 2008 July None Filed MONSERRATE 2010 Link $46,731.51 2010 32 Pre Primary None Filed PEOPLE FOR JIMMY DAHROUG Link $45,565.82 2009 July None Filed FRIENDS OF MCCALL/MEHIEL Link $43,281.98 2006 January 2006 July RESPONSIBLE NEW YORK Link $41,556.11 2012 January None Filed COMMITTEE TO ELECT ELIO FORCINA Link $40,907.15 2011 January 2012 January WRIGHT FOR THE COUNTY Link $40,834.90 2010 July None Filed FRIENDS OF MICHAEL BENJAMIN Link $40,592.65 2010 July None Filed NEW YORKERS FOR DILAN Link $39,615.83 2011 January None Filed WILLIAM F. BOYLAND JR 2010 RE- ELECTION CAMPAIGN Link $30,950.00 2010 July None Filed FRIENDS OF CHRISTIAN BROWNE Link $28,260.28 2012 January None Filed CHARLIE 2010 Link $28,021.87 2010 10 PG None Filed MARTINO 2010 Link $27,114.34 2010 32 Pre Primary 2012 January FRIENDS OF JOHN RUIZ FOR PUBLIC OFFICE Link $25,018.87 2010 11 Pre General 2011 January FRIENDS OF ANTHONY NANULA Link $24,019.44 2001 January 2003 July VOTE FOR DAVE KERPEN Link $22,913.00 2009 July 2011 July FRIENDS OF LYNN NUNES Link $22,356.41 2010 10 Post Primary 2012 January COMMITTEE FOR RE-ELECTION OF SENATOR ADA L. SMITH Link $22,184.74 2007 January None Filed FRIENDS OF LEON R. KOZIOL Link $22,057.40 2007 11 Pre General 2009 July C. VIRGINIA FIELDS FOR STATE SENATE Link $22,054.09 2006 July None Filed PEOPLE FOR CASTELLANOS Link $21,175.06 2010 January None Filed FRIENDS OF TERENCE PARK Link $20,827.99 2006 11 Pre Primary 2012 January LATESSA FOR ASSEMBLY Link $19,622.02 2010 10 Post Primary None Filed COMMITTEE TO REELECT SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR. Link $19,171.19 2002 32 Pre General 2003 January FRIENDS OF AL CURTIS Link $18,583.31 2005 July 2006 January INDEPENDENCE PARTY ROCKLAND COUNTY COMMITTEE Link $18,334.88 2007 January None Filed TOWN OF LLOYD REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE Link $17,177.65 2010 July None Filed FRIENDS OF ANTOINE THOMPSON Link $16,842.18 2006 July None Filed FRIENDS OF GREGG LUNDAHL Link $16,752.67 2011 January None Filed INDEPENDENCE PARTY CLUB OF Link $15,458.67 2012 January None Filed NASSAU STEVENSON 2010 Link $14,726.61 2011 January 2012 January CARRIE 4 NASSAU Link $14,705.74 2010 July 2011 July CITIZENS FOR WARDEN 2001 Link $14,381.16 2002 32 Pre Primary None Filed STEPHANIE G. OVADIA COMMITTEE FOR NYS ASSEMBLY Link $14,102.49 2008 27 Post General 2009 January FRIENDS FOR V J PRADHAN Link $13,444.16 2008 July None Filed HAWKINS 2010 Link $12,906.78 2011 July None Filed DORSA FOR NEW YORK Link $12,220.36 2009 January 2012 January TOWN OF WHEATFIELD REPUBLICAN CLUB - 25 WEEK CLUB Link $11,985.77 2010 January None Filed FRIENDS OF DONOVAN J. RICHARDS JR 2008 Link $11,955.00 2008 July 2011 July ONONDAGA COUNTY INDEPENDENCE PARTY Link $11,649.00 2010 January 2010 Off Cycle FRIENDS OF PATRICK SCHAEFER Link $11,520.00 2001 July 2004 January FRIENDS OF JOHN SARCONE Link $11,430.95 2002 January None Filed MARCO DESENA FOR ASSEMBLY Link $10,563.50 2011 27 Post Special 2012 January HEALTHY NEW YORK Link $9,995.00 2004 27 Post General None Filed FRIENDS OF WILLIAM H. SALGADO Link $9,655.10 2004 January 2012 January FRIENDS OF YORMAN NUNEZ Link $9,523.18 2009 July None Filed COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT GLORIA DAVIS Link $8,634.12 2007 January 2007 July FRIENDS OF DAVID R. TOWNSEND, JR. Link $8,176.62 2010 11 Pre General 2011 July MALONEY COMMITTEE - NYS PAC Link $7,981.05 2003 July 2010 July ADAM CLAYTON POWELL FOR STATE ASSEMBLY Link $7,829.15 2011 January None Filed MA!C8l1? LLAuL8S vlC1C8? lunu Link $6,178.74 2009 11 Pre Primary 2010 27 Post General
Notable committees that filing deadlines Many of these candidates have probably behaved legally, and have not touched these truly dormant campaign accounts. Some may even have their money invested in accounts that neither charge bank l reasonable to assume that many of these committees have obeyed the law, and the majority of those who
P at least possible that several of the candidates or their treasurers pocketed the balance years ago. l . As long as the Board of Elections fails to perform audits on committees, any individuals tempted to take funds under their control for their own personal use would appear to have little to worry about. Committee Name Link Last Known $ On Hand Last Time Reporting Transactions Last Time Filing a No- Activity-Report AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION RESORT OWNERS' COALITION PAC Link $10,993,078.17 2009 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF ADAM BRADLEY Link $176,131.04 2011 January 2012 July I LOVE GOOD GOVERNMENT- Link $116,310.42 2007 32 Pre General 2012 July FRIENDS OF ROANN M. DESTITO Link $87,553.12 2011 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF SENATOR GONZALEZ Link $53,293.22 2007 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF JIM COLEMAN Link $51,519.03 2009 July 2012 July MARTINELLI FOR MAYOR Link $50,863.98 2012 January 2012 July FRIENDS OF BOB DOMENICI Link $45,400.69 2010 27 Post General 2012 July COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT CLARENCE NORMAN, JR. THE Link $43,295.01 2010 January 2012 July BROOKLYN DEMOCRATIC ACTION COMMITTEE Link $40,000.00 2009 January 2012 July COMMITTEE TO ELECT MALCOLM A. SMITH Link $31,532.66 2009 July 2012 July JACOBS FOR STATE SENATE Link $30,553.72 2006 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF MARTHA TAYLOR Link $28,482.12 2009 January 2012 July SABINI FOR SENATE Link $27,321.79 2009 January 2012 July INDEPENDENCE PARTY OF NEW YORK STATE - HOUSEKEEPING ACCOUNT Link $27,131.88 2012 January 2012 July FRIENDS OF PAUL WHALEN Link $26,977.45 2011 27 Post General 2012 July COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT JUDGE KOLBERT Link $26,468.61 2011 10 Post Primary 2012 July COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT PETE GRANNIS Link $24,518.64 2011 July 2012 July MANHATTAN CONNECTION PAC Link $24,510.26 2011 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF AUBERTINE Link $23,966.99 2012 January 2012 July FRIENDS OF EVE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE Link $23,376.49 2003 July 2012 July SEN DEM Link $22,999.80 2004 27 Post General 2012 July FRIENDS OF TODD TANCREDI Link $20,992.15 2011 27 Post General 2012 July NYS DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLY CAMPAIGN COMM. HOUSEKEEPING CONFERENCE ACCT. (DACC) 3 Link $19,472.68 2009 July 2012 July DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION - NEW YORK Link $18,954.20 2007 July 2012 July
3 A different DACC Houskeeping committee has filed. LIBERAL PARTY OF NEW YORK STATE Link $18,424.76 2009 July 2012 July CROWLEY 08' Link $18,178.05 2011 January 2012 July FRIENDS OF JAMES WU Link $16,363.89 2010 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF RAYSA CASTILLO Link $16,109.72 2009 July 2012 July COMMITTEE TO ELECT FORMER JUDGE KAREN B. YELLEN TO THE CIVIL COURT Link $16,047.44 2008 January 2012 July FRIENDS OF MAYOR CLINTON I. YOUNG, JR. Link $15,616.88 2011 10 Post Primary 2012 July FRIENDS OF BRIAN SIMON Link $15,317.00 2010 July 2012 July MATOS 2008 Link $14,991.25 2008 10 Post Primary 2012 July FRIENDS OF JOHN CALANDRA Link $14,503.89 2011 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF ALAN M SIMON Link $14,066.24 2011 27 Post General 2012 July COMMITTEE TO ELECT DONALD MILES JUDGE OF THE CIVIL COURT Link $14,044.51 2008 July 2012 July COMMITTEE TO ELECT DAVID B. KROGMANN, JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT Link $13,710.61 2005 January 2012 July BAEZ FOR THE FUTURE Link $13,265.70 2009 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF DAN LOSQUADRO Link $13,248.93 2010 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF GIL ETHIER Link $12,390.00 2011 11 Pre General 2012 July FRIENDS OF JOHN MARCHI Link $12,219.98 2011 January 2012 July LYNCH FOR HIGHWAY Link $11,988.02 2011 27 Post General 2012 July FRIENDS OF DAVID NACHBAR Link $11,893.85 2010 27 Post General 2012 July JUDGE WOOD FOR SUPREME COURT Link $11,795.67 2010 July 2012 July ELECT JUDGE GIGANTE SURROGATE Link $11,251.30 2008 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF SWAVANJIT SINGH Link $11,087.86 2011 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF ED WEBER Link $10,895.33 2007 January 2012 July ALFRED T. COPPOLA CAMPAIGN FUND COPPOLA CARES Link $10,833.41 2011 July 2012 July WALDON FOR SENATE Link $10,700.45 2000 January 2012 July COMMITTEE TO ELECT KIM SEAGER FAMILY COURT JUDGE Link $10,524.85 2009 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF SATISH MOHAN Link $10,447.39 2007 27 Post General 2012 July TEAMSABELLICO Link $10,340.04 2007 July 2012 July FRIENDS OF JON COOPER Link $10,124.41 2011 27 Post General 2012 July COMMITTEE FOR MICHAEL KAPLOWITZ Link $10,016.15 2012 January 2012 July JOSEPH FRITZ CAMPAIGN FUND Link $9,460.52 2010 January 2012 July COMMITTEE TO ELECT GERARD MCCREIGHT Link $9,384.40 2009 January 2012 July CLINTON YOUNG FOR MAYOR Link $8,673.76 2011 11 Pre Primary 2012 July COMMITTEE TO ELECT EARL WILLIAMS Link $8,597.00 2009 27 Post General 2012 July FRIENDS OF OBERMAN Link $8,035.03 2010 July 2012 July