NO. ____________ IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES JESSE BENTON, Petitioner, v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Respondent. On Petition for Writ of Certiorari To The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI Angela L. Campbell Counsel of Record Dickey & Campbell Law Firm, PLC. 301 East Walnut Street, Suite 1 Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Phone: (515) 288-5008 Fax: (515) 288-5010
[email protected] i QUESTIONS PRESENTED 1. WHETHER THE MATERIALITY REQUIREMENT IN 18 USC SECTION 1001 CAN BE TURNED INTO A MERE FALSITY REQUIREMENT IN THE FEC REPORTING CONTEXT OR WHETHER THE STATUTE REQUIRES SOMETHING MORE THAN MERE FALSITY. 2. WHETHER THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT CAN BE APPLIED TO ALLEGATIONS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS PUNISHABLE UNDER FECA SIMPLY BECAUSE THE FEC PUBLISHES EXPENDITURE REPORTS ON THE INTERNET. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS QUESTIONS PRESENTED .................................. i TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ................................ iv OPINION BELOW .................................................. 1 JURISDICTION ..................................................... 1 CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS INVOLVED .................................... 1 STATEMENT OF THE CASE ............................... 4 REASONS FOR GRANTING THE WRIT ......... 11 I. THIS COURT SHOULD RESOLVE THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENT UNDER EACH STATUTE OF CONVICTION AND THE MATERIALITY REQUIREMENTS IN 18 USC SECTION 1001 CAN BE TURNED INTO A MERE FALSITY REQUIREMENT IN THE FEC REPORTING CONTEXT OR WHETHER THE STATUTES REQUIRES SOMETHING MORE THAN MERE FALSITY. .................................................... 11 iii II. THIS COURT SHOULD RESOLVE THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT CAN BE APPLIED TO ALLEGATIONS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS PUNISHABLE UNDER FECA SIMPLY BECAUSE THE FEC PUBLISHES EXPENDITURE REPORTS ON THE INTERNET. ................................................ 17 CONCLUSION ...................................................... 25 APPENDIX TABLE OF CONTENTS 8th Circuit Opinion filed May 11, 2018 .........