(AP file photo)
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – A campaign finance watchdog organization on Tuesday filed a Federal Election Commission complaint against a North Dakota business for allegedly being a “straw donor” to a super PAC that backed Gov. Doug Burgum’s bid for U.S. president.
The complaint — filed by Washington, D.C., nonprofit Campaign Legal Center — centers on a $150,000 contribution made by Head East LLC to the Best of America PAC, which supported Burgum’s campaign. The Campaign Legal Center claims that the LLC was created exclusively to hide the original source of the donation, which is illegal under federal campaign finance regulations.
According to filings with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, Head East was incorporated in North Dakota on July 24, 2023. The center’s announcement states Head East LLC donated to the Best of America PAC 15 days later.
The mailing address for Head East LLC and the address of its registered agent use the same Bismarck address. The complaint alleges that Head East “appears to exist solely on paper,” with no physical or online presence or public record about its activities.
“Straw donor schemes like this are harmful because they undermine voters’ right to know who is spending money to try and influence their votes and our government,” Saurav Ghosh, the nonprofit’s director of federal campaign finance reform, said in a statement. “Voters need real transparency about who is spending this money so that they can meaningfully evaluate candidates and participate in the democratic process.”
If the FEC investigates the complaint and finds it to be substantiated, the federal agency could take actions including bringing civil fines or making a referral for criminal charges.
A campaign spokesperson for Burgum did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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