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FEC to Investigate Elton John’s Concert for Hillary Clinton

judicialwatch.org — “Sir Elton John is not a citizen of the United States and is therefore prohibited from making any contribution to Senator Clinton ’s presidential campaign.” Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it filed a formal complaint with the (FEC) related to a fundraising concert

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  • mabs0, on 04/17/2008, -3/+50Finally, someone is paying attention. I was thinking the same thing. If this is true and Hillary cashed in the money, it's a really stupid mistake and blunder.
    • PhilLesh69, on 04/17/2008, -2/+4Of course it's true. She has had many questionable donors. Some were chased across the country for felonies they committed.

      Don't forget all the Chinese donations to Bill's campaigns (and subsequent selling of satellite technology to China after he took office.)
    • Spinfusor, on 04/17/2008, -1/+1It's NOT illegal for a foreign national to volunteer or to solicit contributions from non-foreign nationals.
    • thanakar, on 04/17/2008, -0/+3This story is INACCURATE if Elton John was not compensated for his time.

      Federal Election Commission Advisory Opinion Number 2004-26 1.

      Foreign National Volunteer Activity The Act and Commission regulations prohibit foreign nationals, directly or indirectly, from making a "contribution or donation of money or other thing of value .. . in connection with a Federal, State, or local election." 2 U.S.C. 441e(a)(1)(A). See also 11 CFR 110.20(b). However, the Act and Commission regulations also provide that "[t]he term `contribution' does not include the value of services provided without compensation by any individual who volunteers on behalf of a candidate or political committee." 2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)(i). See also 11 CFR 100.74.

      http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/ao/no/040026.html
      • kreneskyp, on 04/17/2008, -1/+2he might be innocent but that doesn't make the story inaccurate. He did the concert, hillary took the money, and now the FEC will determine if it was illegal or not.
        • thanakar, on 04/17/2008, -0/+2Did you NOT read the advisory? "However, the Act and Commission regulations also provide that "[t]he term `contribution' does not include the value of services provided without compensation by any individual who volunteers on behalf of a candidate or political committee." 2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)(i). See also 11 CFR 100.74." Nothing illegal happened here.
  • jasontromm, on 04/17/2008, -6/+37First the Chinese, now the British. Who else is going to get a seat at the decision making table in a Clinton Whitehouse? Elton John's concert fund-raiser seems to be blatantly illegal, but the drive-by media are ignoring the problem.
    • RansomHoldiay, on 04/17/2008, -0/+9don't forget the colombians!
      • aliengoods, on 04/17/2008, -0/+7They only paid her top adviser. I'm sure she meant it when she said she opposed a trade agreement. /sarcasm
      • spidoman, on 04/17/2008, -1/+1She's a candidate who WON'T kidnap and kill you. put Won't in caps cause that makes it seem like Obama will.
    • rhabd0mancer, on 04/17/2008, -0/+4Uzbekistan
    • DraconPern, on 04/17/2008, -2/+4I am betting the AIPAC has given her a ton of money. They know the money won't work on Obama because he is black.
  • Krisgi, on 04/17/2008, -1/+53They'll probably try and get by it saying that all the concert goers were US Citizens... the thing is, I don't know how they would keep tabs unless it was by credit card purchase or something. Hmmmm.... Now if Springsteen did a concert for Obama... ha ha... no doubt where the Boss was born!
    • jforjools, on 04/17/2008, -1/+1Well, I was wondering how the ticket-sales were tracked anyway. You got think there were more than a few ticketholders that were purchased by people who already met the 2300 maximum. (and it's illegal for them to contribute for someone else...ie buy them tickets.) Did they have to track all these sales? I would think so. But that's not normal concert sale protcol.

      Can't wait to hear how Hillary's March numbers break down. (how much of her 20 mil can she use in the primary?) This was a big issue for her in Jan/Feb. I think the numbers are made official around April 20.
    • imgstacke, on 04/17/2008, -0/+1If he performed at the concert his 'services' are the 'in-kind' donation to her campaign. She did the same thing with her Senate campaign in 2000 with Cher. The cost of hiring Elton John to do a concert for the event must be reported to the FEC, and as he is a foreign national - (Sir Elton John!) - it is a clear violation of election laws.

      Since he didn't charge the campaign, he made an 'in-kind' donation equal to how much an event promoter would be charged for his services. And I am sure its in the 6 digits.
  • kynn, on 04/17/2008, -1/+23This is all very reminiscent of the still pending Peter F. Paul/"Gala-gate" case, scheduled to go on trial next week (2008/04/25), in which the Clintons are accused of FEC violations resulting from a similar "gift." See http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/11/135849/601 , and links therein.
    • tnoy, on 04/17/2008, -0/+4Thats going to trial? I thought they managed to have that fall-guy take all the blame. Good to hear!
    • TexasJulie, on 04/18/2008, -0/+1Check it out! For some reason this is being hushed up. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) is a named defendant in a civil case for fraud and campaign finance violations, and could be charged with criminal perjury. The trial date will be set on April 25th, 2008 , 3 days after the Pennsylvania Primary. The case is filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court. You can view all of the details of this case on the court's web-site: WWW.LASUPERIORCOURT.ORG In the Civil Column, click on CASE SUMMARIES Then enter this case number: BC304174 PETER F PAUL VS WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
  • Gabberwok, on 04/17/2008, -3/+46Um, what FEC? I hate to break it to you guys, but without a quorum, sending a complaint to the FEC is about as productive as writing a letter to Santa. There aren't enough people sitting on the FEC for them to have the power to do anything at all - the only thing keeping politicians from completely abandoning campaign finance laws is that their would be a public backlash if the media caught wind of it. THERE IS NO OFFICIAL BODY REGULATING THIS ELECTION. Scary, huh?
    • TonyLocNE, on 04/17/2008, -1/+8cite?
      • Gabberwok, on 04/17/2008, -0/+15Found a citation and added it to Digg. This is an editorial (so not perfect), but you can find more info if you search. This is also the reason why there's been no answer on McCain's issues with public financing - and probably won't be an answer until after the election.

        http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/The_Campaign_Mon ...
        • ExitMoose, on 04/17/2008, -0/+8That's scary stuff. I dugg your article and posted a comment. This needs to get to the front page.
          • MacEnvy, on 04/17/2008, -0/+6NPR has been reporting it (in regard to the McCain "public funds loan security"), but I haven't heard much about it elsewhere. Independent press my ass.
          • PhilLesh69, on 04/17/2008, -0/+2MacEnvy, do you know that 6 corporations own practically all media outlets?

            "Independent press" is a marketing term. It is just like Bush says, "sometimes you have to repeat things over and over again, for the progadanda to sink in" -- Marketing is the same way. Keep telling people that you are fair and balanced, or unbiased, and they will eventually believe it, even when they see blatant examples of bias and unbalanced and unfair reporting.

            Sorta like how people will argue to the death that Verizon Wireless has a perfect network where there is never any dropped calls or static or garbled messages. It's really funny to argue with someone about how perfect Verizon is, when talking to them over a verizon cell phone, and sometimes they'll be like "wait, what did you say? You're breaking up. Hang on, let me move over to the window. Okay, I can hear you now. As I was saying, Verizon is perfect! I never have any problems when using Verizon!"
  • Railz, on 04/17/2008, -3/+12Elton...gate?
    • pintomp3, on 04/17/2008, -5/+3faggate.


      ok, that was wrong. bury me.
  • SEGA4life, on 04/17/2008, -23/+4Watch out I read she buys her cloths from Italy and gets her TV's from Japan as well.

    This reply was brought to you buy (diggnator.com ...crap... I mean diggobama.com)
    • alk509, on 04/17/2008, -1/+11Buying imported products is not illegal. Taking campaign donations from foreigners is, you dumb *****.
      • SEGA4life, on 04/17/2008, -10/+2LOL he played a concert not handed her money.
        You didn't even read the damn link, you just digg anything PRO Obama... talk about a dumb *****
        • ExitMoose, on 04/17/2008, -0/+10LOL he played a concert for free, which was used to gain money for the campaign. Pay attention to the "other thing of value" section in the following:

          "However, according to 2 U.S.C. § 441e, “Contributions and donations by foreign nationals,” it is illegal for any foreign national to “make a contribution or donation of money or other thing of value…in connection with a Federal, State or local election.”"

          I guess you didn't read the damn link, yourself.
        • MacEnvy, on 04/17/2008, -0/+6A performance designed to bring in funding is considered a "gift in kind" by the FEC. I had to deal with it when I ran a congressional campaign in '06 and we had a "celebrity guest" do a series of dinner speeches for us. It also comes into play when you hold a big house party where the costs are estimated to be above a certain amount of money. Depending on what exactly Elton agreed to, the campaign could be liable for fines and other punishment from the FEC.

          You should really read the rules yourself, dumbass.
          http://www.fec.gov/law/feca/feca.shtml
        • chanop, on 04/17/2008, -0/+1@MacEnvy , I'd vote for you because you call people a dumbass on Digg, please come to NY
    • buhbyebot, on 04/17/2008, -1/+1[citation needed]
  • jmpeagle, on 04/17/2008, -1/+15it's only a matter of time before the British resort to force

    Homer: You couldn’t be more wrong, Lisa. If I didn’t have this gun, the king of England could just walk in here anytime he wants and start shoving you around. [pushing Lisa] Do you want that? [pushing her harder] Huh? Do you?
    Lisa: [quietly indignant] No...
    Homer: All right, then.
    • Pritchard, on 04/17/2008, -1/+3Oh God, there was something hilarious about that episode. Agh, I found the joke once.

      The Simpsons used to be so fricken smart. To the point where I don't understand half of the jokes, or know they even existed, until I do research on the topic the show covered. Now it's degraded :( Seriously, does anyone even watch it any more?
  • SEGA4life, on 04/17/2008, -16/+5 please note :

    "The Elton John concert took place on April 9, 2008 and raised more than $2.5 million (from the sale of 5,000 tickets) for Hillary Clinton and Hillary Clinton for President.
    ----------Next Sentence----
    However, according to 2 U.S.C. § 441e, “Contributions and donations by foreign nationals,” it is illegal for any foreign national to “make a contribution or donation of money or other thing of value…in connection with a Federal, State or local election."

    He didn't donate any money, he just played music... yes people bought tickets because he was playing, but he didn't get the money and then hand it over to Clinton. He sat at his piano, played, and then left the stage.
    • aarondavis, on 04/17/2008, -2/+14His performance alone has value, which is why people buy tickets... "or other thing of value"... like a free performance. He gave away something of value he would normally charge an appearance fee + revenue from tickets for.
    • kratsnitram, on 04/17/2008, -1/+13It was an "in-kind" donation. His concert provides a certain value, of which the IRS would no doubt be happy to put a number. His performance is the value.
      Please note: understand "other thing of value" before posting.
    • opsknight, on 04/17/2008, -1/+11Which would mean he contributed, by providing a service.
    • redstorm986, on 04/17/2008, -0/+7Where does it say that his contribution has to be direct financing? If he is performing he is indirectly contributing to her cause. A famous brits time is of Value when it can generate 2.5 million.
    • topherbook, on 04/17/2008, -0/+7Also, FTA (right after the sentence that you quoted):
      a “1981 FEC decision prohibited a foreign national artist from donating his services in connection with fundraising for a U.S. Senate campaign.”
    • buhbyebot, on 04/17/2008, -0/+2Please note: You're an idiot.
    • applessauce, on 04/17/2008, -2/+2If it's illegal for Elton John to volunteer to do a fundraiser, then it's also illegal for Chuck Norris, Barbra Streisand, or any other American celebrity to do so. After all, contributions from American citizens are capped at $2300, and these performances are obviously worth a lot more than that. So either a lot of candidates are getting illegal contributions, or else volunteering to do fundraisers doesn't count as a contribution. I'd guess the latter, since the law says "The value of services provided without compensation by any individual who volunteers on behalf of a candidate or political committee is not a contribution." (Source: http://volokh.com/posts/1206644951.shtml)
      • slimjim85, on 04/17/2008, -0/+3Its not the amount that Elton generated that is the problem here, political fundraisers generate much more money than "the limit" in every campaign in the same way the concert did - get lots of people to donate a little bit of money. Secondly, a person can volunteer their services as much as they want, that falls under the whole 'Freedom of Speech' thing. However, people who do not claim US citizenship can't give anything of value to a political campaign, whether it is money or services. Elton's concert was advertised as a fundraiser for Hillary, it is going to be hard for them to argue that he did not give something of value to her campaign.
  • chambana, on 04/17/2008, -2/+10me thinks the hilldawg has lost her candle in the wind
    • Kas70, on 04/17/2008, -1/+4"...like a candidate in the wind, never knowing who to CLING to, when the rain set in..."

      bad I know, just popped into my head...
  • papipablo, on 04/17/2008, -8/+3Buried since the FEC has long held that foreign nationals can donate their time and even solicit donations from US citizens. This story is all sizzle but no meat.
    • Kas70, on 04/17/2008, -0/+4He didn't go door to door or bake cookies (which would be his own time and not tied to his profession), he gave a concert and as a professional performer who normally charges for his appearances, there is a monetary value to his performance.
    • ExitMoose, on 04/17/2008, -0/+6Sources?

      You did notice this part, didn't you:

      "The Washington Times reported March 27, 2008, that a “1981 FEC decision prohibited a foreign national artist from donating his services in connection with fundraising for a U.S. Senate campaign.” "
    • Weaselski, on 04/17/2008, -0/+4really? what about FEC advisory opinion 1985-51? mentioned above, it seemed to speak pretty clearly to the fact that what happened was a violation of federal election law. thing of value certainly covers a concert. the fact that it led to 2.5 mil in hard money also might be interesting.
      • papipablo, on 04/17/2008, -0/+2What about Advisory Opinion 2004-26?
        • Weaselski, on 05/12/2008, -0/+1touche, papipablo, yet the facts are distinguishable
    • cleverboy, on 04/17/2008, -0/+2Yeah. Hey, I'd LOVE to hear how this works out. I'm sure they should know better, but... if its legal, I'd like to know the distinction. It may sound odd, but a PERFORMANCE is something with a monetary value. Not ONLY is Elton John foreign, I'm sure that monetary value for his performance... even "donated", is more than the spending cap on individual donations. It's the same issue that came up when Chere performed at a senatorial fund raiser... but I didn't hear how that turned out either.
      • ChildeRoland420, on 04/17/2008, -0/+1Her campaign manager went to prison and she got off scott-free by claiming she knew nothing about it.
  • Danby123, on 04/17/2008, -5/+3good bye yellow brick road, elton.
  • bonjourmr, on 04/25/2008, -3/+6Way to get the gay vote. Pitty it backfired.
  • stjosh, on 04/17/2008, -7/+19I absolutely despise Hillary Clinton, don't get me wrong.
    But anyone else find it just something of a coincidence that dozens of anti-Hillary articles (many repeats) are being Dugg over and over again recently, while fifty pro-Obama articles trying to spin his Pennsylvania comments positively and make it look like he's bound to win have also surfaced this last week (many of them repeats as well)?
    Good grief. Let up and quit turning an entertainment site into your personal bias shoutbox. Aren't repeats of articles (or articles centered on almost the exact same thing) discouraged? An event only needs to be reported on once.
    As long as it agrees with your political views apparently it's fine. =/
    • Kas70, on 04/17/2008, -3/+6Really, you ought to just calm down and let it play out...it will be over soon enough. Just don't read any of them, problem solved.
    • MacEnvy, on 04/17/2008, -2/+4As soon as Hillary does something worth praising, I'll digg the article up. Hasn't happened in a while.
      • stjosh, on 04/17/2008, -3/+3Indeed. But do we need a million articles praising Obama for the exact same "bitter" remark?
        No. But Digg users are trying desperately to make everyone else think that the "bitter" remark was a good thing, hoping he won't lose Pennsylvania.
        • MacEnvy, on 04/17/2008, -1/+2He's not expected to win PA, even with the race tightening somewhat there. Perhaps you don't understand the point of those articles after all.
    • fani, on 04/17/2008, -0/+1Yes, I agree. I'm a Barack Obama supporter, but I would like to hear fair and balanced arguments from people supporting Hillary too.
      Else, digg = FoxNews

      Constantly, blindly digging Obama articles while blindly burying Hillary articles/comments are wrong and childish.
      Goes to show that digg is full of hypocrites who shout Freedom of speech but bury everyone else who don't speak same tune. ( Eg. nintendo, sony, MS, Foxnews, scientology even )

      "Know thy enemy so you can finish them off faster"
      • stjosh, on 04/18/2008, -0/+0Well said, man. I respect your genuinely fair and balanced approach on the matter.
  • Vohu, on 04/17/2008, -2/+10Hillary not following the rules? That's unpossible!
  • WoWii, on 04/17/2008, -11/+2I hate to defend Hillary but if he wants to contribute, he should be able too.
    Its his money.
    • Kas70, on 04/17/2008, -1/+10It's not a matter of opinion, it's a law.
    • stjosh, on 04/17/2008, -0/+6So why not just allow for government heads of opposing nations and leaders of terrorist groups to contribute finances, right? It's their money. There shouldn't be any rules.
    • buhbyebot, on 04/17/2008, -0/+4You hate to defend her? Why? if she was wronged, I'd defend her without issue. The problem is, there never seems to be a reason to do so, as she's always knee deep in ***** of her own doing.

      As has been brought up numerous times, it is illegal. If you want foreign powers that be influencing elections in your own country, and don't see what possibly could be wrong with that, then maybe you're a ***** retard.
  • wexmajor, on 04/17/2008, -2/+6Who cares? This is absolutely inconsequential compared to the other reasons not to vote for her. Like compulsive lying and projecting elitism.
  • helraizr, on 04/17/2008, -9/+4Forget all these losers

    RP08
  • iRoy, on 04/17/2008, -10/+10Elton John is an asshat.
  • moolaismyfriend, on 04/17/2008, -8/+3Ok come on.

    If thats the case then Hillary is not the first. Lets focus on real problems. PLEASE
  • Vileputrid, on 04/17/2008, -10/+4Who cares? There are bigger issues at stakes.
    Happy VTech anniversary btw!
  • oatdc, on 04/17/2008, -6/+4people need to give it a rest. who gives a *****? there are way bigger problems in the world than an 'illegal concert.'

    take the war for instance.
    • sremick, on 04/17/2008, -1/+2And who caused the war? The president of the USA.

      So pardon if some of us are concerned about the circumstances which influence who will be the next president of the USA and will likewise wield the immense power that Bush has wielded (so harmfully).
    • 9bpm9, on 04/17/2008, -0/+2The rule is there for a reason. It's to stop foreign influences from deciding our elections. So if communist Russia 30 years ago wanted a certain guy to lead our country, they could of given him a crap ton of money, with this rule in place, they can't.
  • reddevil3, on 04/17/2008, -1/+5judicial watch is an awful organization. It is funded by far right-wingers, and it named Obama as one of the most corrupt politicians in it's annual corrupt list. It's idiotic.
  • TheTruthHurts, on 04/17/2008, -6/+1digg digg digg for a better America
  • applessauce, on 04/17/2008, -4/+5I doubt this is going anywhere. Anyone (foreigner or not) is allowed to volunteer to provide services to a campaign. The law is only against "contributions," and the law explicitly states "The value of services provided without compensation by any individual who volunteers on behalf of a candidate or political committee is not a contribution." See here for more legal details, from someone who is actually a lawyer: http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_03_23-2008 ...
  • FearFactory, on 04/17/2008, -5/+1Oh My! Jes Christ Sir Elton Johnshs!
  • insomniac8400, on 04/17/2008, -5/+7This will go no where. Elton John paid no money to her. It's ***** to consider his donation of time valuable just because he is popular. What if a non U.S. citizen helps with a campaign? I'm sure lots of politicians have ended up having an illegal immigrant work for their campaign at some point.
    • Pingu78, on 04/17/2008, -2/+2I think there are 2.5 million reaons his time that evening was valuable.
    • JointVenture, on 04/17/2008, -2/+1Isnt it fun watching these losers...lose.
  • cheekybastard, on 04/17/2008, -1/+5Hillary has Karl Rove locked in her basement, and forcing him to listen to Elton John, until he comes up with more brilliant campaign strategies.

    It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets Elton John again
  • diggdiggerid, on 04/17/2008, -3/+6As much as I dislike the Clintons, this is ridiculous. If he wants to sing for free to help promote awareness of her campaign, that is his prerogative. If he gave her money in cash then that would be a different issue.
  • tankerkevo, on 04/17/2008, -3/+0I wonder if Chavez is paying attention to this?
  • papipablo, on 04/17/2008, -1/+5Just so every one knows Judicial Watch is not an impartial watch dog group. They were founded to harass the Clintons.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_Watch

    Here's a NY Times piece that is a little more informative on this issue
    http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/abou ...
  • JointVenture, on 04/17/2008, -3/+2Yeah, they dont know the rules and ***** up by having elton john play at a benefit.

    Nice try kids. The desperation at the DIGG tonight is a joy to watch.
  • iridesce, on 04/17/2008, -2/+1Low 5 for the diggs calling Hillary on her lies.

    Be careful though, as her desire is to provoke a negative response - think about it - her only path to the White House is causing others to respond and screw up - and so the lies and provocations.

    So just walk away from burying stories, just go to the next article you like and comment about that means something to you.

    Be the change you want to see in the world

  • TecK415, on 04/17/2008, -4/+2What's sad/scary is that some people would actually vote for Hillary because of this concert.
  • slimnickyy, on 04/17/2008, -1/+3I do not support Clinton, but this is simply lame and I hope the madness ends. So ***** what if Elton did a gig for her?
    • Arcueid01, on 04/17/2008, -1/+1What do you mean so ***** what? Go read the rules, then you can play the game.
    • 9bpm9, on 04/17/2008, -1/+1So what? America doesn't allow foreigners to decide or elections, that's what.
  • Arcueid01, on 04/17/2008, -1/+2Rules exist for a reason. When you don't like the rules, you don't just go and break them. I certainly hope she is nailed for this.
  • SovereignGFC, on 04/17/2008, -0/+1If this wasn't a right-wing Clinton-hating group whose goal is to utterly destroy the Clintons, I might give them a shred of credibility. Instead, they're going to give her reason to dig up the "Woe is me, attack of the vast right-wing conspiracy!" theory again.
  • duncanm, on 04/17/2008, -2/+1"Don't wish it away
    Don't look at it like it's forever
    Between you and me I could honestly say
    That things can only get better
    And while I'm away
    Dust out the demons inside
    And it won't be long before you and me run
    To the place in our hearts where we hide
    And I guess that's why they call it the blues"
  • thanakar, on 04/17/2008, -1/+2Buried as INACCURATE!

    Federal Election Commission Advisory Opinion Number 2004-26

    1. Foreign National Volunteer Activity The Act and Commission regulations prohibit foreign nationals, directly or indirectly, from making a "contribution or donation of money or other thing of value .. . in connection with a Federal, State, or local election." 2 U.S.C. 441e(a)(1)(A). See also 11 CFR 110.20(b). However, the Act and Commission regulations also provide that "[t]he term `contribution' does not include the value of services provided without compensation by any individual who volunteers on behalf of a candidate or political committee." 2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)(i). See also 11 CFR 100.74.

    http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/ao/no/040026.html
  • SuperVepr308, on 04/17/2008, -1/+1Does anyone give a ***** about what that psychotic queen sings or thinks about?
  • AvangionQ, on 04/17/2008, -1/+1"Sir Elton John is not a citizen of the United States and is therefore prohibited from making any contribution to Senator Clinton's presidential campaign." ... are they serious -- there's a rule that foreign citizens can't contribute to American politicians?
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