Sharpton May Get Audit Along With Cash

From Associated Press


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 probable vote, after debate over whether the outspoken candidate may have violated campaign finance rules.

"We stand behind everything we've done and every document we've submitted," said Charles Halloran, Sharpton's campaign manager. "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 federal rules prohibit federal matching funds to any candidate who loans his own campaign more than $50,000.

more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-sharpton10mar10,1,1066163.story?coll=la-headlines-nation