AURORA - A complaint filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) accuses 8th congressional district candidate Manju Goel, and one of her key supporters, of breaking FEC rules pertaining to the required wall between independent expenditure committees and federal candidates.
Filed by Scott Pierce, who is represented by attorney Laura Jacksack, the 109-page complaint (HERE) alleges possible illegal, and unreported, contributions from the Indian Americans for Freedom organization to the Maju for Congress committee.
Pierce alleges that the Indian Americans for Freedom (IAFF) "has improperly made a number of in-kind contributions to Manju for Congress (MFC)," and that Shalabh Kumar, who the complaint contends "operates and manages the IAFF," has "contributed the maximum to MFC," but has "also made in-kind contributions that have not been disclosed by MFC," and which may "constitute contributions in excess of legal limits." Pierce further contends that Kumar's "various corporate entities for his business interests have made in-kind contributions" to the Goel campaign, in violation of FEC rules.
The complaint also questions the FEC reports from the Manju for Congress committee, arguing that while the campaign "purports to have raised over $200,000 in the third quarter of 2013," it reports having spent "only $55 in that quarter."
In his complaint, Pierce also questions the co-location of the IAFF and the Manju for Congress committee, which are both listed at the Carol Stream business address owned by Shalabh Kumar who supports Goel and "appears to be the principal contributor" to the IAFF.
The IAFF is listed as a 501c(4) non-profit group that was formed in 2012 to support the candidacy of former Congressman Joe Walsh, who has endorsed Goel and sent out a fundraising mailing on her behalf (see below), asking donors to send checks to same Carol Stream address shared by MFC, IAFF, and Kumar.
When queried about the complaint, Goel told Illinois Review she doesn't "know of any FEC complaint filed against" her, and that she does not have "any connection" with the IAFF. Goel's primary opponent Larry Kaifesh had no comment.
Walsh Fundraising Letter
Goel Mailer Paid for by Indian Americans for Freedom (IAFF)
