FEC Rejects Complaint on Sen. Clinton, 2 Others

The Federal Election Commission dismissed a fund-raising complaint against Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Senate campaign despite a finding by the agency’s counsel that accounts established by the Democratic Party to benefit the campaign appeared illegal.

The commission also dismissed similar complaints against the 2000 campaigns of Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and then-Sen. John Ashcroft (R-Mo.). FEC Acting General Counsel Lois Lerner also had found they appeared illegal.

The campaigns set up joint fund-raising “victory” committees to allow candidates to simultaneously raise cash for themselves and the national party. Critics say the parties use them to funnel soft money to the candidates.