FEC wants hefty fine from Rep. Buchanan's former company

In a breaking-news exclusive, Herald Washington Bureau reporter Lesley Clark writes that the Federal Election Commission is asking a federal court to impose a $67,900 fine on a company formerly co-owned by Rep. Vern Buchanan that it says engaged in an “extensive and ongoing scheme” to reimburse employees who made contributions to the Sarasota Republican’s congressional campaign.

The owner of the company said Tuesday he has acknowledged the company reimbursed employees, but said it was a “directive” issued by Buchanan.

“I’ve done nothing wrong,” said Sam Kazran. “I am not a politician, just a regular Joe. I had no idea.”
He said Buchanan told a group he needed to raise $1 million “to look good."

A campaign spokesman for Buchanan called Kazran's allegation "absolutely false."

Read the rest of Clark's report in this link.