WASHINGTON (CNN) – John McCain’s campaign announced Thursday night that it’s returning about $50,000 in contributions believed to be brought in by a foreign citizen.
The actions late Thursday followed a move earlier in the day by the campaign that it would be looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations brought in by Florida businessman Harry Sargeant, after reports that his business partner – Mustafa Abu Naba’a, who is not an American citizen – may have been connected with the fundraising efforts.
Federal campaign finance regulations prohibit donations from foreign nationals, but federal laws do not specify if it is illegal for them to solicit political contributions.
The McCain campaign says Abu Naba’a did not donate the money himself. But McCain spokesman Brian Rogers says, "we're taking the precautionary measure of returning any contributions solicited by Mr. Abu Naba'a. We thought it was an appropriate measure to take at this point, as we had an issue with the reports of people giving to the campaign who had no intention of supporting or voting for John McCain - that was clear from recent reports. We estimate that it totals under $50,000."
The New York Times reported on Thursday that Sargeant allowed Abu Naba’a to solicit the donations in March from a single extended family in California, the Abdullahs, along with their friends.
The McCain campaign is also sending a copy of the legal requirements for donations to all contributors whose funds were brought in through Sargeant.
Earlier this year, during the primary season, Norman Hsu, who was a top fundraiser for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, was indicted for making contributions in the names of other people.
From CNN Politics
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figures...
I wish they would drop John McCain and nominate Ron Paul
Shady repug campaigning? Say it isn't so!
John McCain is too risky to be POTUS
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DOES MCCAIN HAVE???
I mean educational qualifications.What college did he attend?What degree does he have?What books has he written by himself not by other authors?what exactly qualifies to him be Commander-in-Chief?
I am not asking about POW.That is not a qualification,it is was his job and what happened happened.
Thanks!
MIght as well review all his donors while their at it. I think you might find some very interesting individuals on the list.
PUMA !
McCain campaign?? Questionable donations??? Now that's a real shocker!!!! What else is questionable in his campaign????
"who is not an American citizen – may have been connected with the fundraising efforts"
YA THINK! I HOPE THIS TURNS BIG! Mcfrankenstein is going Dooooownnnnnn
Maybe he should review those donations from that Texas tycoon who made the rape jokes too.
Obama's donations should be investigated as well. Most of Obama's donations come from outside the United States. Wonder who is really funding his campaign.....
I think we should also review the sources of Obama's donations. Rumor has it that many have come from overseas donors who are citizens of other countries.
The "maverick" you have been waiting for.................
I'm sure whatever it is it will be swept under the rug.
Please wait until after RNC Convention before starting scadals. Thank You
He should've done this sooner, honestly, but ah well. I'm an Obama supporter, but I'm glad he's doing this. His reputation with me is shot after the negativity, and this is a band-aid, albeit a small one.
so that guy (the citizen) lives not too far from me. He is known to have given money to Charlie Christ as well. So does that mean the president and the potential VP have been taking money from people who might not have our best interest on their mind?
What the poor candidates have to do to become President this day and time,is awful.
McCain's campaign doing something admirable. I'm shocked. Hopefully they'll end their silly negative and childish attacks and focus more on the issues and less on their obsession with Obama.
...aaand this is the last we'll hear of that
Man, I'm surprised this got any mention at all. It is St. John by the way.
Nothin' but sleaze in the mccain camp with all those lobbyists on staff – and this is probably just the tip of it.
It's really a shame seeing "The Gelding" compromising all his principles.
McBush doing something underhanded–anybody shocked.
No...not the Maverick (gasp) the man who said he was going to fight corruption....couldn't be...then who...heard dear Hill's name in the mix too....tisk tisk. Let's not get caught with our hands in the cookie jar now kids.
Hey "Uncle Sam", at least the McCain campaign has enough honesty to bring this to the press's attention. Obama's Chicago thugs would keep it under wrap or blame it on someone else.
HAHAHA! Republican thugs come out, come out, wherever you are!
go for it john and this just in it is found out that Exxon Execs Gave More to Obama!!!