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For Immediate Release
June 2, 2004		 Contact: Kelly Huff
Bob Biersack
Ian Stirton
George Smaragdis
COMPLIANCE CASE MADE PUBLIC

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission has recently made public its final action on a matter previously under review (MUR). This release contains only disposition information.

1. MUR 5389/Pre-MUR 408  
     
  RESPONDENT: Jose Casal
  COMPLAINANTS: Referral by Keith Smith, Investigation Specialist, Florida Elections Commission
  SUBJECT: Contributions by a foreign national
  DISPOSITION: Conciliation Agreement: $8,250 civil penalty*

Jose Casal knowingly and willfully violated the Act by contributing $2,500 through five individuals to the campaign committee of Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas.
  DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD: Documents from this matter are available from the Commission’s web site at http://eqs.sdrdc.com/eqs/searcheqs by entering 5389

under case number. They are also available in the FECs Public Records Office at 999 E St. NW in Washington.

*There are four administrative stages to the FEC enforcement process:

1. Receipt of proper complaint 3. "Probable cause" stage
2. "Reason to believe" stage 4. Conciliation stage

It requires the votes of at least four of the six Commissioners to take any action. The FEC can close a case at any point after reviewing a complaint. If a violation is found and conciliation cannot be reached, then the FEC can institute a civil court action against a respondent.

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