Your web browser is not supported You're using Internet Explorer, some features might not work. Please switch to another browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for a better experience.


An official website of the United States government Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Federal Election Commission | United States of America Calendar
           Glossary
          Search
              Search


Menu
      Home
      Campaign finance data
        All data
            Raising
            Spending
            Loans and debts
            Filings and reports
            Candidates
            Committees
            Bulk data
            Campaign finance statistics
        Find elections. Search by state or ZIP code
          Look up contributions from specific individuals
      Help for candidates and committees
        All compliance resources
            Guides
            Forms
            Dates and deadlines
            Trainings
        Learn about electronic filing
          Find and contact your committee's analyst
      Legal resources
        All legal resources
            Advisory opinions
            Enforcement
            Statutes
            Legislation
            Regulations
            Court cases
            Policy and other guidance
        Search across all legal resources
          Search guidance documents
      About
        All about the FEC
            News and announcements
            Commission meetings
            Mission and history
            Leadership and structure
            Reports about the FEC
            Careers
            Working with the FEC
            Contact
        Introduction to campaign finance and elections


- Home
- ›
      FEC Record: Litigation
- ›
      FEC v. O'Donnell (New)

FEC Record: Litigation*FEC v. O'Donnell* (New)January 13, 2015 On January 5, 2015, the Federal Election Commission filed suit against Christine O’Donnell, Friends of Christine O’Donnell and Matthew Moran, in his official capacity as treasurer. The FEC alleges that the defendants impermissibly converted at least $20,000 in campaign funds to the personal use of Christine O’Donnell. The FEC seeks declaratory, injunctive and other appropriate relief, including an order requiring Ms. O’Donnell to disgorge the converted funds. **Background**            In January 2010, Friends of Christine O’Donnell (the Committee) rented a three-bedroom townhouse in Greenville, Delaware, to use as headquarters during O’Donnell’s 2010 campaign for Senate. The Committee continued to use the townhouse after the November election. Ms. O’Donnell lived on the upper floors of the townhouse, above the campaign offices, for at least ten months. During that time, the Committee paid rent and utilities for the townhouse, including payments to Comcast for communications services and to Delmarva Power for electricity. According to its FEC reports, the Committee paid rent and utilities totaling in excess of $20,000 during that time, and received reimbursements of $770 from Ms. O’Donnell in April, June, August and September of 2010 and again in March of 2011. **Compliance action**            The Federal Election Campaign Act and FEC regulations define “personal use” as the use of campaign funds “to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expense of a person that would exist irrespective of the candidate’s election campaign or individual’s duties as a holder of Federal office.” 52 U.S.C. § 30114(b)(2). Mortgage, rent and utility payments for any part of a candidate’s personal residence are specifically prohibited. 52 U.S.C. § 30114(b)(2); 11 CFR 113.1(g)(1)(i)(E); see also Expenditures; Reports by Political Committees; Personal Use of Campaign Funds; Final Rule, 60*Fed. Reg.* 7862, 7865 (Feb. 9, 1995). The Commission received a formal complaint and initiated enforcement proceedings on September 20, 2010. Later, the Commission found reason to believe that the defendants had violated 52 U.S.C. § 30114(b), and then probable cause to believe that respondents had violated the statute. Unable to secure acceptable conciliation agreements with the defendants, the Commission voted 6-0 to authorize this suit against the defendants. The Commission seeks a declaration that defendants’ conversion of funds to personal use was a violation of 52 U.S.C. § 30114(b). The FEC further seeks a permanent injunction against similar future violations by the defendants and appropriate civil penalties against the defendants, as well as an order requiring Ms. O’Donnell to disgorge the converted funds. **Resources:** *FEC v. O'Donnell* litigation page


Read next: Supreme Court denies petition for certiorari in Stop This Insanity, Inc. Employee Leadership Fund v. FEC
 Related: Explore campaign finance data »


This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public. The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.


About
          Careers
          Press
          Contact
   Privacy and security policy
          Plain language
          No FEAR Act
          Strategy, budget and performance
 Open government
          Protected Voices
          USA.gov
          Inspector General
          FOIA
 OpenFEC API
          GitHub repository
          Release notes
          FEC.gov status


Federal Election Commission
 The FEC's Twitter page
            The FEC's YouTube page Sign up for FECMail


Hide glossary Glossary Search terms