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9. Campaign contributions

52 U.S.C. § 30116(a)(1)(A) provides that “no person shall make contributions to any candidate and his authorized political committees with respect to any election for Federal office which, in the aggregate, exceed $2,000.” The term “person” includes “an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, labor organization, or any other organization or group of persons.”[1] “Contributions” are defined as, “any gift … or deposit of … anything of value made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office.”[2] Contributions do not include, “the value of services provided without compensation by any individual who volunteers on behalf of a candidate or political committee.”[3] Section 30116(c) provides for adjustments for inflation, stating that limitations for contributions by persons to federal candidates are adjusted every two years.[4] The limitation for an individual donor to a candidate committee for the 2015–2016 election cycle was $2,700.[5]

Violations of section 30116 by a person qualify as a crime if, (1) the violation involved at least the amount specified in a calendar year, and (2) the violation was committed knowingly and willfully.[6]

10. Campaign contributions by foreign nationals

52 U.S.C. § 30121(a)(l)(A) makes it a crime for “a foreign national, directly or indirectly … to make a contribution or donation of money or other thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation, in connection with a Federal … election.” Subsection (a)(2) makes it a crime for any person to solicit, accept, or receive such a contribution or donation.

11. Fraud against the United States

18 U.S.C. § 1031(a) imposes criminal liability on:

Whoever knowingly executes, or attempts to execute, any scheme or artifice with the intent—

(1) to defraud the United States; or

(2) to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises,

  1. ↑ 52 U.S.C. § 30101(11).
  2. ↑ Id. § 30101(8)(A)(i).
  3. ↑ Id. § 30101(8)(B)(i).
  4. ↑ Id. § 30116(c).
  5. ↑ Federal Election Commission, Archive of Contribution Limits, https:www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/candidate-taking-receipts/archived-contribution-limits/.
  6. ↑ 52 U.S.C. § 30109(d)(1)(A).

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