1 ' * Judicial Watch ^ if Ok Because no one it above the law! April 14,2008 COPY Office of General Counsel *««• 41 Federal Election Commission MUR*. 999 B Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20463 Re: Seii.Hillaiyaintoii,HUlaiya Deer Sir or Madam: Judicial Watch is a non-profit educational foundation that is dedicated to combating govemmcnt corruption. As part of its educational mission, Judicial Watch Mgnlariy ftKtahm Mid MalyMK information jpnWiid atiH maintaiMH hy tim P^»«l Election Commission (PEG) and other agenda of the federal government, then diueminates its findingi to me public tfarou^ various educational and outreach programs, inrJiidmg Judicial Watch's website and monthly newsletter. The obtaining, analyzing; and disseminating of such infbnnation is a very important part of Judicial Watch's operations. BWS reports suggest that Sen. Hillary Clinton and Hillary Clinton for President have accepted an in-kind conmliution from a fordgn national, Sir Elton John, in contravention of federal election laws. On behalf of Judicial Watch and its supporters, I hereby request mat the FEC investigate mis matter. On March 17,2008, me Clinton presidential eampMgp issued a press release, which read in parti Legendary artist Sir Elton John will perfoim at a solo concert on behalf of Hfllary Chnton's campaign on April 9,2008 at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The event, called "Elton and Hillary: One Night Only," is Elton John's first public solo concert in New York City without his band since his solo concert at Madison Square Garden in October 2000. 901 School Street, SW* Suite 783* Washington. DC 90094 • Tdi (909) 646-5179 • Pa* (909) 646-5199 Office of General Counsel April 14, 2008 Page 2 'Pm not a politician but I believe in the work that Hillary Clinton does,' said John. 'Iteexdted to support Hillary by perfianning at what will be a truly memorable night' ^ Tickets start it $125 for Mezzanine seats and $250 for Orchestra seats. a Tickets wiU go on sale at 9:00 am EST, on Wednesday, March 19,2008.' r%i G' Press reports also show that on Much 17, 2008, Sir Elton John, through the £' Qinton campaign, seat out a mass email anno^^ «• for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. *3 C Tne concert took place on April 9, 2008 and raised more than $2.5 million (from <*' the sale of 5000 tickets) for Sen. Clinton and Hill^ On information and belief Sir Elton John is not a citizen of the United States and is therefore prohibited from making any cmitribution to Sen. Odnton or her presidential committee: (a) Prohibition. It dull be unlawful for— (1) a, foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make— (A) a contribution or donation of money or other thing ofvahie^ortomBkeanejqiieuorm^Uedpromisetomakea contribution or donation, in connection wim a Federal, State, or local election; (B) a contribution or donation to a committee of a political _ (C) an expenditure, mdepeDdent eApeuuiture, or disbursement for an electioneering communication (within the meaning of section 304(i)(3)) (2 U.S.C. § 434(1X3)); or 1 See attached ElUbitl, MM 17,2008, FtaR^^ on April 9*" Q^/wwwJrilhiycftteaoo^^ 2 S«ttt»chedBxhfch2,TBltooJolmToaooiifeCliito^w n»jiiD.iniKMo»xoui>iUP-u«iificuiiafua^^ ffcia *-9 •- •• ^*-- ^^•JI^MtAAJR^M'VJWtAMf i //BiMMoiacnK«iioiniiD^ 1 a ^_ m _at_^_ A« jnt^»u« $125 or 1230, and tow who anb choke MM at prim of $500, $1,000 or 12^00-flic nununiumillowod dribnttoo." I," TluAaociaUdPnu, April 10,2008 301 School Street SW • Suite 300 • Washington. DC S0084 • Td: (208) 646-3178 • (888) JW-ETHIC Pax.- (SOS) 6464199 • email: tafb^Judldalwatch.orB Office of General Counsel Federal Election Commission April 14,2008 Page 3 (2)apeiiontosoUdt,a(x^)t,orrecdveacoiitributionor donation described in subparagreph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) from a foreign national Regarding the matter of whether Sir Elton John's contribution of his services to Sen. Clinton and her presidential committee is prohibited by law, FEC spokesman Bob Bicnack suggested to The Washington Times that a complaint would have to be filed wim the FBC to help settle the issue: Mr. Biersack said a complaint would have to be filed with the FEC before the gnmtiiMMan cn«M IMM an •dviinty npininm an flie Elton John noting and eu^i then it would remain confidential until completed.4 This same Washington Times article rtpcwts mat a "1981FBC decision prohibited a foreign national artist from donating his services mcomiei^onwiuirandraismg for a U.S. Senate campaign."3 (The reference may be to FEC Advisory Opinion Number 1981- 51.)6 Sir Elton John's in-kind contribution of bis artistic and entertainment services has substantial tangible value. The face prices of tickets for an upcoming Elton John concert in Bakcnficld, California range from S49.50489.50.7 The direct involvement of Sir Elton John in Sen. Clinton's fbndraising efforts (see footnote 2) also raises the additional question of whether omer laws have been violated. Specifically, FEC Advisory Opinion Number 2004-26 details: "2. Foreign National Participation in Decision-Making Commission regulations hnplementing 2 U.S.C. 44 le prohibit foreign nationals fiom participating m the decisions of any person involving election-related activities. See 11 CFR 110.20(i). Such participation in r f| dffriffiiftp* ifKfadffS dirff ** ftl dictating, controlling, or directly or indirectly lillji (fmmm mnMn&mtlmm i nmriilinlrtTnnmnrriTIATinrinTffilTOfifiTnT 8 O.. 8eBattaahBdKhUt4. * See**cWBxWA5,'lF«d«ndEtectk»Co^ SwattsMBdUUtMlolBMBvstt 501 School Street, SW • Suite 500 • Washfai^ton, DC 90094 • Tel: (909) 646-5178 • (888)JW-BTHIC Fax:(908)646-5199 • emaO: lnfoi>judlctalwatch.org Office of Genenl Counsel Federal Election Commission April 14,2008 Page 4 corporation, labor organization^,^ poUticalcomnu'ttee, or political organization with regard to such person's Federal or non-Federal election- related activities, such as decisions concenu^ me niaking of contributions, donations, expenditures, or disburserneritsm conned with elections for any Federal, State, or local office or decisions concerning me adnmristration of apolitical committee.' Id. This broad prohibition enoomnaimnii foreign national mvnlvement in m« management of any political committee, and its nWa«nM n^»rAm^ it^ icueioui and disbursements in connection with Federal and non-Federal elections. Explanation and Justification for Regulations on Contribution limitations and Prohibrtions, 67 Fed. Reg. 69946 (Nov. 19,20Q2)."1 Certainly, Sir Elton John's "fl*"1^ •& «"«1 requesting fitumeirf contributions for a presidential candidate raises a substantial qiwstkm as to whether a violation of OMle^ prohibition of foreign nationals participating hi the decision-making of a presidential campaign has occurred. In conclusion, Judicial Watch requests an investigation into whether Sen. Clinton, HillajyOintonfOTPiwdeni, regulations that prohibit the mvolvement of foreign nationals in U.S. presidential elections. Thernfbniiationuncc>ver^ Watch to educate the American people about the laws govemmg our nation's campaign finance system. Tnank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely, JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. 501 School Street. SW • Suite 500 • Washington, DC S0094 • Ttt (908) 646-5178 • (888)JW-ETHIC Far- (901) 646-5199 • email: lnCof)udldahratch.org Office of General Counsel Federal Election Communon April 14,2008 Page 5 I hereby swear, to the best of my knowledge and belief that the foregoing is tnie Thomas Fhton atyofWtshington ) ) District of Cohimbia ) Signed and sworn to before me on this 14* day of April, 2008, by Thomas Fitton, President of Judicial Watch. Christopher J. Notary Publiodor me District of Columbia My Commission expires: 11/14/09 SOI School Street SW • Suite 500 • Washington. DC 90094 • leli (B09) 646-5179 • (888)JW-ETH1C Fat (908) 646-5199 • emaUi lnfo«ludldahroldi.Gf9 HillaryClinlon.com - Media Release Page 1 of 1 3/17/20M Buftlt Mr Hton John To Porionn ot Clinton Pundrateor on April 9th VUOOM 1C HUB Looondory orttt Slf EMM John wM porlMwi ot o ooto conceit on bohoY of Mbjry QMunrs compohjn on Ono en April 9, 20M at Mdto Oty Mo* Hod In Now York. Tho ovont cotbjd "Bton and Mitary: On* Might Orty,' <NI mkk «^JVOI^ «AM^^tD OMBOT^ C 2000. OB ion. o1 K ! Tm not • poMdn but I M ttw moA that HHtary GMen do*,' nU John. Tin rsi •uppoit HHoiy by •(•not wM ••• tiuljf mononbH f»t at $125 tor MOBBOMM MM and $250 lor OnMon OMB. TkfcttiwHaoonoriitt9:00 on EST, on WodnovJoy, Mcrdi 19( 2006. To pwdMM ttchott^ 0o to M)ww.HHofyflhiion.ooin/EMon or con e i at 212-213-3717. to Mi Hour dooote eoroor, Bton John hoi boon ont of tht domino* fbraojhiracfcMdpapulormucfc. dufino tho IVTOi. Ho hoi ODOJ nwjto ttwn 290 fflHkM flbunv ond over ono non tin* to I MMonr End 6omo Mi Iraq ono Acodojny MwjnJ. John woo fewuctoB ONO the Mock ono Moi Hoi of romo HI 1994. Ho • o wortowido d kunionMorion lor • vofMty of IONOB hiowdino Hiv/AlOSi bnNOt oonoor ond hwnon ifQhbi to i o nw. In 1992, John Ibundod tno Elton John AIDS Foundooon ond woo knkjhtod hi 1990. ronOoy llhNprMlor •TQin NHoVy CMlon on the ICE NrtyCoMr-Up k fiofli Miry wiih^^ i h| I MMO| raunco I OPOOOOB| LOCAL | OPORTO | ARTO&UVON| crrr JOMlCAROl OMtteMMtoto TODAY* TOP FOUnCAL fTOMHI Al • to • NMini hr OtaM to Elton John to Croon for Clinton Tto BriM poptao n- who OOMMOHOn OB]N) • nOOnt OOJOOIOB •••O^^OOTffBIMQn hoH«mflonlonool.ooldBob *V you volunkHr your Vwi undor Vio fouHtono taft not • «• nood to poy ta ooot of flioliMlhioludolMtmaf who buy box aPJao oooto ol I12B or VBOt and O* otprtoo* of S800,H.OOO or K300-tw flDTI Muolonof oooh lorBioaMuiiuonio»i.iliBfi hoo boon M^rtvol IDT r WO PtOfflOHTi wW pop OOV •I IW O^MIf 9 pfOHNoW VHB W Dv ono MOM ffiot you wont wont to Iof6 4/14^008 I(h29 AM IteCUBJonK Still 2 for the price of 1- MSNBC Wife Service! - M..