Trump ‘violating black-letter federal law’ by spamming foreign politicians for money: watchdog

[Galraedia]

Source: Raw Story

A nonpartisan campaign watchdog filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission demanding action against Donald Trump — who they say has violated federal law by asking foreign officials to donate to his presidential campaign.

A Scottish member of parliament revealed that Trump’s campaign had solicited her by email for campaign funding, which she said was then followed up with a second plea from the candidate’s son, and he reportedly asked officials in other countries to donate.

The Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint Wednesday with the FEC, which prohibits foreign nationals from “contributing, donating or spending funds” on any U.S. elections.

“Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign committee is violating black-letter federal law by sending campaign fundraising emails to foreign nationals – including foreign politicians – in at least Iceland, Scotland, Australia and Britain,” the watchdog said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2016/06/trump-violating-black-letter-federal-law-by-spamming-foreign-politicians-for-money-watchdog/

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To quote Scottish MP, Natalie McGarry of Glasgow East who received one of Trump's e-mails asking for donations...

[PatrickforO]

1. LOL. I wonder if he IS actually doing that or if this is made up.

Either way, it's pretty funny.

[Wayburn]

2. Let's start with Donald.

[niyad]

13. welcome to du

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. tRump will claim staff made an error. But he has the best staff. He hires only the best. I tell you.

[rurallib]

6. good time to blame Lewandowski

[Paula Sims]

12. If that's the case then he'll have to fire his son

The e-mail came from his son and the family is taking over the campaign. Donnie Sr. trusts no one. Wants to keep it all in the family. You know, you're typical dictator.

[Cryptoad]

4. pick and number and get in line

if u want to file charges........

[Stonepounder]

5. Interestingly, the complaint is (also) signed by Paul Ryan.

Yeah, that Paul Ryan.

[TeamPooka]

10. no, Paul S. Ryan, CLC deputy executive director

[Stonepounder]

11. Oops, my mistake. Thanks for setting me straight. n/t

[CaptainSensible]

7. CanTRUMPSpam!

I would hope that some enterprising recipient of Trump's spam email begging for money, would seek counsel and initiate civil action against Trump supported by the "Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 (CAN-SPAM Act)."

Think about the moment of opportunity; middle of the presidential campaign which puts you in a unique position, obviously, since you cannot really leave a verdict of culpability on the table without an expeditious payment of said award (mandated by the courts) is highly recommended. A great time to win a lawsuit against the man who claims to NEVER SETTLE lawsuits, where any effort to dither will be soundly disappointing to potential Trump voters.

I just heard that not only is the Trump campaign hitting up British MPs, but apparently is also spamming seven other countries. And yes, this practice is also against the law.

[herding cats]

8. Trump campaign may have broken law by seeking foreign political donations

Donald Trump’s campaign has been asking foreign politicians for donations to help make America great again – possibly violating federal election rules in the process.

On Wednesday, two campaign finance watchdog groups, the Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21, said they will lodge a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that Trump’s campaign has violated federal law by soliciting donations from politicians in Scotland, Australia and Iceland, among others.

“Donald Trump should have known better,” said Paul S Ryan, deputy executive director of Campaign Legal Center. “It is a no-brainer that it violates the law to send fundraising emails to members of a foreign government on their official foreign government email accounts, and yet, that’s exactly what Trump has done repeatedly.”

The Federal Election Campaign Act prohibits “any foreign national from contributing, donating, or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/29/trump-campaign-donations-foreign-politicians

[bikerpop]

9. Frustrating that it may not matter

With the 3/3 split in the FEC, and the R's blocking any action, even if it is totally illegal - Donald is protected from the consequences of his actions.

It just means the D's have to do it better while still remaining clean.

[Midnight Writer]

14. Saw this reported on TVNews today: Treated as joke. As in "OH, That Donald!"

I remember when our media started reporting the daily gaffes of George W Bush as novelty items. The gaffes were so frequent that they were no longer considered newsworthy, while every word of more "serious" candidates were scanned for errors.

[IgelJames4]

15. Wow, Donald is getting desperate

At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if he decides to drop out of the race within the next few months. It is becoming obvious that he simply doesn't have the funds to continue his faltering campaign.

[keithbvadu2]

16. Golly, gee! Haven't the republicans been complaining that Hillary got money from foreign sources

for her charity?

[cynzke]

17. MEANWHILE, OUT OF THE OTHER SIDE OF HIS MOUTH, TRUMP ACCUSES CLINTON

Of the VERY same thing.