Uncovered: Planned Parenthood cited for multiple campaign donation violations

Planned Parenthood, whose various political PACs and organizations spend millions of dollars pushing their abortion agenda down the throats of the American taxpayer, has been fined multiple times by the State and Federal Election Commissions for various violations. While Planned Parenthood masquerades as a healthcare organization, the organization’s former president, Cecile Richards, once claimed the abortion giant’s aim was to be the “largest kick butt political organization” — and with the help of their political arms that is what Planned Parenthood appears to be doing. But is the organization actually playing by the rules?

In a previous Live Action News report, we documented how a Wisconsin Planned Parenthood was fined by the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) for failing to report contributions to Democratic candidates. Now, a more thorough review by Live Action News has uncovered additional reports from both state and federal agencies, as detailed below.

Federal Elections Commission (FEC) cases

The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) uses multiple methods to enforce compliance with election rules. Most of the results are made public by the FEC. Enforcement cases can come from audits, complaints, referrals or self-submissions, and anyone can submit a complaint if he or she believes a violation of the law has occurred or is about to occur. Enforcement cases are primarily handled by the Office of General Counsel and are known as Matters Under Review (MUR). Other programs designed to augment the Office of General Counsel’s enforcement role include the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program and the Administrative Fine Program.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is described as “a program that encourages settlements outside the traditional enforcement process.” The Administrative Fine Program assesses civil money penalties for late or non-filed reports.

Live Action News found two Alternative Dispute Resolution cases, including the aforementioned one from Wisconsin as well as one Matter Under Review case, in the FEC’s database within just the past few years. In addition, we located several state cases implying violations either against a Planned Parenthood organization or one of their representatives or staffers, a potential small sampling of what could be available were we to investigate every state agency.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Political Fund

As mentioned previously, in March of 2018 by a vote of 4-0, a negotiated settlement was approved by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Political Fund (referred to as respondent) after “[t]he Reports Analysis Division referred Respondent for failing to file 48-Hour Reports totaling $116,898.08 to support two independent expenditures disclosed on the 2016 October Quarterly Report.”

According to a report by Fox News:

Under the terms of the agreement (ADR 845), a civil penalty in the amount of $5,850 was issued. In addition, the Committee agreed to certify that a representative of the organization participated in an FEC conference, webinar, or other program developed in consultation with the FEC’s Information Division.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc. PAC, DBA Planned Parenthood Federal PAC

In January of 2018, by a vote of five to zero, a negotiated settlement was approved by the FEC with Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc. PAC, DBA Planned Parenthood Federal PAC and Tshombe Hubbard, Treasurer (referred to as respondents) after, “The Reports Analysis Division (RAD) referred Respondents for failing to disclose all financial activity on its 2016 12 Day Pre-General Report. On February 21, 2017, the Committee filed an Amended 2016 12 Day Pre-General Report disclosing an additional $51,756.51 in disbursements. ”

Correspondence from Planned Parenthood to the FEC indicates that Planned Parenthood also failed to report that they “included a $50,000 non-federal cash donation to a state-level independent expenditure committee.”

Treasurers of political committees are required to report all financial activity, including all disbursements.

Under the terms of the agreement, (ADR 835), a civil penalty in the amount of $2,600.00 was issued.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc., PAC and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc.

Live Action News found several cases where Planned Parenthood was listed as a respondent for a “Matter Under Review,” dating back to the 1980’s where the FEC notified the organization that they found no reason to believe (NTB) the allegations.

However, in one out of three of the MUR cases within the past few years, the FEC did find violations.

• MUR6411 (No Reason to believe (NTB) Notification letter to PP June 2011)

• MUR6410 (No Reason to believe (NTB) Notification letter to PP July 2011)

• MUR5808 (Reason to believe (RTB) Notification letter to PP September 2006)

According to the RTB notification letter to PPAF in MUR5808, “On September 12,2006, the Commission found reason to believe that Planned Parenthood Action Fund Inc. violated…[statute #], a provision of the Act.”

The FEC notification letter to Planned Parenthood Action Fund PAC and Chris Korsmo reads in part, “On September 12, 2006, the Commission found reason to believe that Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc. PAC and Chris Korsmo, in his official capacity as treasurer, violated…[ 2 statutes], provisions of the Act.”

According to the FEC in the MUR5808 complaint, on March 6, 2007, the Federal Election Commission accepted a signed agreement from Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc., PAC and Chris Korsmo, in her official capacity as Treasurer, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc., in settlement of violations in a Matter Under Review (MUR 5808).

A 2007 press release issued by the FEC details the violations found:

As a result, the FEC issued a fine of $114,600 against Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc. PAC and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc..

State cases

California: Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties Community Action fund PAC and Melahat Rafiei, Treasurer

In 2014, the California Fair Political Practices Commission issued a warning letter to Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties Community Action fund PAC and Melahat Rafiei, Treasurer, alleging a failure to properly maintain campaign records.

The letter states in part:

Rather than a fine, the Commission decided to close the matter with just a warning letter.

Montana: Planned Parenthood Advocates in Montana

In 2014, the Billings Gazette reported that Planned Parenthood Advocates in Montana “violated state law in its campaign against a Billings Republican in the 2014 elections, the state Commissioner of Political Practices has ruled.”

The State’s Political Practices Commissioner found “sufficient evidence of a campaign practice violation.” The document states that the Commissioner then referred to incident to the County Attorney of Lewis and Clark County for consideration as to prosecution.

Oregon: Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon, Sharon Brenner, Treasurer 

In 2007, the Oregon Office of the Secretary of State sent a Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty letter in the matter of an Insufficient Contribution and Expenditure Report by the Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon, Sharon Brenner, Treasurer.

The Reason for Notice read:

The letter goes on to state that the Secretary was proposing a civil penalty of $10.00 for the violation.

Texas: Kathy Hubbard, campaign treasurer for Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas PAC (PPHST) 

In 2011, The Texas Ethics Commission determined that that there was credible evidence of violations of specific statutes of the Election Code as well as a section of the Ethics Commission Rules against Kathy Hubbard, referred to as respondent in the case. The document states further that Hubbard was the campaign treasurer for Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas PAC (PPHST).

According to the Order and Agreed Resolution document:

As a result of the violations, the commission imposed a $600 civil penalty.

Texas: Cary Jennings, campaign treasurer for Planned Parenthood of North Texas’ Political Action Committee

In 2010, The Texas Ethics Commission determined that there was credible evidence of violations of specific statutes of the Election Code as well as a section of the Ethics Commission Rules, involving the campaign treasurer for Planned Parenthood of North Texas’ Political Action Committee, Cary Jennings, referred to as respondent.

According to the Order and Agreed Resolution document:

As a result, the commission imposed a $3,000 civil penalty.

Vermont: Planned Parenthood of Northern New England Action Fund

Also in 2010, as Live Action News previously documented, the State of Vermont reached a settlement with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England Action Fund as a result of a finance complaint from the 2010 General Election.

According to the Sun Community News;

PPNNE was fined $30,000 after failing to comply with political committee reporting requirements and other campaign finance laws.

Planned Parenthood receives over half a billion in government dollars from taxpayers each year, and needs the same politicians who benefit from the organization’s election donations to repeat their talking points and run interference whenever a threat to their funding is rumored. Live Action News has previously documented how political allies for Planned Parenthood mislead the American public about the “services” the abortion corporation actually provides.

Pro-abortion politicians mislead women about Planned Parenthood

In addition to the above election violations, Live Action News has documented how Planned Parenthood has been cited for overbilling abuses and Medicaid fraud, for violating patient privacy, and for failing to report child sexual abuse.

With a growing list of areas in which Planned Parenthood has been found to have engaged in fraud and other violations of trust, one wonders when Congress will finally pull the plug and defund Planned Parenthood.