Well, at least now he has money for his defense
FEC: Sharpton should get $100,000 in funds – and an investigation
By DEVLIN BARRETT
Associated Press Writer
March 9, 2004, 5:29 PM EST
WASHINGTON -- Election officials are recommending that Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton receive $100,000 in federal matching funds – and be the subject of an investigation into whether he deserves the money.
The mixed recommendation by lawyers for the Federal Election Commission will be presented to the six commissioners Thursday for a likely vote, after an internal back-and-forth over whether the outspoken reverend may have violated campaign finance rules.
Sharpton's campaign manager, Charles Halloran, said: "We stand behind everything we've done and every document we've submitted. We welcome a full audit. It's part of the political process."
At issue are loans and out-of-pocket payments made by Sharpton, the activist preacher, to Sharpton, the candidate. The New Yorker's campaign is low on cash and is carrying heavy debts, but FEC rules prohibit federal matching funds to any candidate who loans his own campaign more than $50,000.
