)

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20463

August 4, 1999

MEMORANDUM

TO:

FROM:

RON M. HARRIS

PRESS OFFICER

:::R::~::STA /li:~;/)/1A1

ASSISTANT STAFF D c~l;? jJV \.--

AUDIT DIVISION

SUBJECT: PUBLIC ISSUANCE OF THE FINAL AUDIT REPORT ON

COMMITTEE TO ELECT EILEEN ANSARI 41 ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Attached please find a copy ofthe final audit report and related documents on the

Committee to Elect Eileen Ansari 41 51 Congressional District which was approved by the

Commission on July 27, 1999.

Informational copies ofthe report have been received by all parties involved and

the report may be released to the public.

Attachment as stated

cc: Office of General Counsel

Office ofPublic Disclosure

Reports Analysis Division

FEC Library
')

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D,C. 20463

•

I .

REPORT OF THE AUDITDIVISION

ON THE

COMMITTEE TO ELECTEILEENANSARI

41ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

BACKGROUND

This report is based on an audit ofthe Committee to Elect Eileen Ansari

41 st Congressional District (the Ansari Committee), undertaken by the Audit Division of

the Federal Election Commission in accordance with the provisions ofthe Federal

Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act). The audit was conducted

pursuant to Section 438(b) ofTitle 2 ofthe United States Code which states, in part, that

the Commission may conduct audits and fidd investigations ofany political committee

required to file a report under Section 434 ofthis title. Prior to conducting any audit

under this subsection, the Commission shall perform an internal review ofreports filed by

selected committees to determine ifthe reports filed by a particular committee meet the

threshold requirements for substantial compliance with the Act.

•

III

A. AUDIT AUTHORITY

B. AUDIT COVERAGE

The audit covered the period from February 24, 1998 through December

31,1998. The Ansari Committee reported a beginning cash balance of$O; total receipts

for the period of $1 02,040; total disbursements for the period of $100,806; and an ending

cash balance of$I,233.1

C. CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION

The Ansari Committee registered with the Commission on April 8, 1998,

as the principal campaign committee for Eileen Ansari, Democratic candidate for the 41 51

Congressional District from the state ofCalifornia. Mrs. Ansari did not file a Statement

ofCandidacy for the 1998 election.

All amounts in this report have been rounded to the nearest dollar,
2

The campaign's Treasurer is Esther Rapposelli, who was also the treasurer

during the period covered by the audit.

To manage its financial activity, the campaign maintained one checking

account. From this account it made approximately 200 disbursements. About 500

contributions, totaling $74,700, were received from individuals; approximately 20

contributions, totaling $15,300, were received from political committees, parties; $12,000

(a loan; in-kind contributions) was received from the candidate.

D. AUDIT SCOPE AND PROCEDURES

The audit included testing ofthe following general categories:

1. The receipt of contributions or loans in excess ofthe statutory

limitations;

I C~, 2. the receipt of contributions from prohibited sources, such as those

from corporations or labor organizations;

3. proper disclosure ofcontributions from individuals, political

committees and other entities, to include the itemization of

contributions when required, as well as, the completeness and

accuracy ofthe information disclosed(see Finding II.A.);

4. proper disclosure of disbursements including the itemization of

disbursements when required, as well as the completeness and

accuracy ofthe information disclosed;

5. proper disclosure ofcampaign debts and obligations;

6. the accuracy oftotal reported receipts, disbursements and cash

balances as compared to campaign bank records;

7. adequate recordkeeping for campaign transactions; and

8. other audit procedures that were deemed necessary in the situation.

Unless specifically discussed below, no material non-compliance was

detected. It should be noted that the Commission may pursue any ofthe matters

discussed in this report in an enforcement action.
3

II. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A. ITEMIZATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS,

POLITICAL COMMITTEES AND PARTIES

Section 434(b)(3)(A) ofTitle 2 ofthe United States Code requires, in part,

a political committee to report the identification of each person who makes a contribution

to the committee in an aggregate amount or value in excess of$200 per calendar year

together with the date and amount ofany such contribution.

Section 434(b)(3)(B) ofTitle 2 ofthe United States Code states that each

report under this section shall disclose for the reporting period and calendar year, the

identification of each political and party committee which makes a contribution to the

reporting committee during the reporting period, together with the date and amount of

any such contribution.

The Audit staffs review of receipts from individuals, political action

committees, and political parties revealed the Ansari Committee failed to itemize twentyone contributions, totaling $8,885, as required. It appears that some contributions in this

category were not itemized because they did not individually exceed $200.

At the exit conference, the staffsupplied a schedule of contributions that

were not itemized. The Treasurer stated that she recalled itemizing these contributions

and would provide copies ofthe schedules. To date, no such evidence has been

provided.

In the interim audit report recommendation the Ansari Committee was

requested to file amended Schedules A (Itemized Receipts), to properly disclose the

contributions noted above.

The Ansari Committee materially complied with the recommendation.
",

CHRONOLOGY

COMMITTEE TO ELECT EILEEN ANSARI 41 ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

,

~1,

•

Audit Fieldwork

Interim Audit Reportto

the Committee

Response Received to the

Interim Audit Report

Final Audit Report Approved

5/10/99 - 5/12/99

6/10/99

7/13/99

7/27/99