Staff
04/26/23
(Mid Hudson News) End Citizens United (ECU) filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against three New York Congressmen; Anthony D’Esposito, Nick LaLota, and Marc Molinaro (NY-19). The complaints center on what they claim is the illegal transfer of funds and resources from statewide fundraising committees to federal fundraising committees. ECU describes itself as “A team of veteran Democratic operatives” organized for the purpose of making people aware of “The influence of money in politics.” ECU President Tiffany Muller said, “It’s a basic principle that it’s illegal to use money from statewide campaigns for federal races.” In a prepared statement, Muller also said, “The law is intended to prevent corruption and undue influence over our leaders,” while calling for the FEC to look into Molinaro’s campaign finances. Molinaro is a Republican who served as the Dutchess County executive prior to being elected to Congress. The ECU says he transferred $2,000 from his state committee to his congressional committee, which according to the Democrats, is illegal. They also allege that $1,000 was reported as such on his FEC report, and another $1,000 of which was reported on his state committee reports as a contribution to his congressional committee but was reported on his FEC reports as a personal contribution. His state committee also paid $2,600 for “campaign literature” and “print ads” after he announced his congressional run. Molinaro campaign advisor Dave Catalfamo fired back at the allegations, telling Mid-Hudson News, “This is a baseless partisan attack from a socialist group. It is clearly designed to distract from Congressman Molinaro’s successful 100-Day Report, in which he announced he is fulfilling campaign promises and delivering bipartisan results.” Catalfamo was also not shy in calling out the group, saying, “Bawadden Sayed and the rest of the socialist activists are free to take up their baseless complaint with the FEC.”