Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee v. FEC (96-0764)
Summary
On November 18, 1996, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed this case. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) had voluntarily requested such action.
Originally, the DCCC had asked the court to require the FEC to take action on an administrative complaint it filed with the agency on November 4, 1994, alleging violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) by Grant Lally, a Congressional candidate from New York.
The Act allows a complainant to file a lawsuit against the FEC if the agency fails to take action on his or her administrative complaint within 120 days after it is filed. 2 U.S.C. §437g(a)(8)(A). The DCCC filed suit on April 23, 1996, after more than 120 days had elapsed.
In its original complaint, the DCCC alleged that Mr. Lally, who was vying to represent the fifth district, received substantial, undisclosed contributions in violation of the limits of the Act. 2 U.S.C. §441a. The DCCC alleged that the money was in excess of $300,000. Mr. Lally said the money was "personal funds" lent to the campaign. The DCCC filed a supplemental complaint in 1995 alleging that Mr. Lally had continued to violate the Act.
Source: FEC Record — January 1997