The 2020 U.S. Senate campaign committee of John James must pay a $95,000 civil fine as part of a reconciliation agreement with the Federal Election Commission over campaign finance violations.
In a letter dated November 29 and made public on Friday, the FEC informed legal counsel for James’ 2020 campaign committee, John James for Senate, Inc., of its acceptance of a signed conciliation agreement provided to regulators on October 30, 2024.
James’ 2020 U.S. Senate campaign committee and its treasurer, according to the FEC, received $578,306.72 in excessive contributions and $9,100 in prohibited corporate contributions. These contributions were spread between the campaign’s April 2020, July 2020 and October 2020 quarterly reports, as well as its 12-day pre-general and 2020 30-day post-general reports.
Under federal campaign finance law, excessive contributions must be refunded within 60 days. The $578,306.72 was refunded between 76 days and 1,293 days after receipt.
Corporate contributions must be refunded within 30 days under federal campaign finance law. The $9,100 was refunded between 62 days and 242 days after receipt.
Under the conciliation agreement, the 2020 James campaign agreed that it had violated campaign finance law by knowingly accepting the excessive contributions and the prohibited corporate contributions.
It agreed to a $95,000 civil fine payable to the FEC and would have 30 days from the effective date of the agreement to comply and implement its requirements.
Noah Sadlier, spokesperson and communications director for James, in a Monday statement said the 2020 U.S. Senate race was one of the most competitive in the country that year and the James campaign raised more than $48 million.
“Many of these contributions flooded in during a compact time-period amidst the shutdowns and mail delays of the COVID-19 pandemic. The delayed contribution refunds and the resultant settlement here were largely the result of the historic anomaly of 2020,” Sadlier said. “While we disagree with the FEC’s approach here, our compliance team has gone above and beyond in standing behind their work under very unique and challenging circumstances. This resolution avoids costly litigation and puts the 2020 campaign committee to rest.”
