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Senate panel advances bill creating civil and criminal penalties for fraudulent 'scam PAC' fundraising
Summary
The Senate Elections Committee voted Feb. 25 to send Senate File 1851 to the Judiciary Committee. The bill would make knowingly misrepresenting a campaign or organization to solicit donations a gross misdemeanor and create civil remedies for the attorney general, county attorneys or injured donors.
The Minnesota Senate Elections Committee on Feb. 25 recommended Senate File 1851 to the Judiciary Committee after adopting the bill's author's amendment and rejecting a separate, proposed change by roll call.
Senator Westland, vice chair of the Senate Elections Committee, told members the bill targets “scam PACs” — political-action committees that solicit donations by falsely implying they support a candidate, party or issue and then divert most funds to fundraising expenses or to operators' benefit.
The measure would criminalize misrepresenting a person, campaign or organization with intent to defraud and would allow the attorney general, a county attorney or an injured party to bring civil actions for damages, investigation costs and reasonable attorney fees. The bill makes such conduct a gross misdemeanor and authorizes civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation.
“Scam PACs are political action committees that claim to raise money for…
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