The Florida Democratic Party is demanding that Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, resign from his role as vice-chair for finance with the National Republican Congressional Committee. In a statement released Wednesday, the party says Buchanan should step aside in light of a recent court decision prompted by a Federal Election Commission lawsuit. #
On May 27, a court imposed a $67,900 fine against a car dealership once owned by Buchanan (Hyundai North Jacksonville). The fine came as a result of what the Federal Election Commission called an “extensive and ongoing scheme” to funnel “secret, illegal contributions” to Buchanan’s 2006 and 2008 campaigns. #
Last December, the Commission filed a complaint against Hyundai North Jacksonville and Buchanan’s former business partner, Sam Kazran, alleging that, in total, at least $67,900 in purported individual contributions to Vern Buchanan for Congress were reimbursed with Hyundai of North Jacksonville funds during Buchanan’s 2006 and 2008 congressional campaigns. #
According to the default judgment filed May 27, the Commission says that the dealership, which is no longer in operation, “illegally spent $67,900 in an attempt to influence an election for Congress, presumably believing this to be a worthwhile investment.” #
“After being embroiled in an ‘extensive and ongoing scheme’ to break campaign finance rules, Congressman Vern Buchanan is the last person that should be running the finances for the National Republican Congressional Committee,” said Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff in the statement released today. “It’s past time for Vern Buchanan to come clean about his role and for Republicans to live up to their promised a zero-tolerance policy for Republican members caught in ethics scandals.” #
