The Republican National Committee says it raised $36 million in first quarter.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Republican National Committee plans to report more than $31 million cash-on-hand, with no debt, through the end of last month in its next Federal Election Commission filing on April 20, RNC Chairman Mike Duncan announced Thursday.

The RNC says it has raised more than $36 million during the first three months of this year.

(CNN) – The end of the month marks the close of the latest campaign fundraising period – and as the deadline looms, presidential candidates are offering some major face time in a bid to boost their cash haul.

Sen. John McCain announced Tuesday that a lucky donor will have the chance to join him on his campaign bus as it makes his “Service to America” tour next week.

“As a token of my appreciation for your financial support, you will be entered to win this seat aboard the Straight Talk Express if you make a contribution before midnight on March 31st,” McCain wrote in an e-mail to donors.

The Arizona senator was not alone in trying to take advantage of the upcoming reporting deadline. Sen. Barack Obama sent an e-mail to supporters Monday that encouraged them to donate by March 31 in order to be one of four supporters who will be picked to have dinner with the Illinois senator, who held a similar “Dinner with Barack” fund-raising effort last summer.

Sen. Hillary Clinton held a fund-raising sweepstakes last fall that offered donors the chance to have a private lunch with the New York senator and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

McCain lagged far behind Sens. Clinton and Obama in fund-raising during the month of February, according to reports filed with the FEC. Obama raised $55 million last month, Clinton raised nearly $35 million and McCain raised $11 million.

–CNN’s Abbi Tatton and Martina Stewart

Mauricio Celis in a September 2005 photo.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — A major contributor to Democratic causes and candidates has surrendered to face charges that he impersonated a lawyer and a police officer.

Mauricio Celis turned himself in Monday and then was released after posting $50,000 bail. District Attorney Carlos Valdez argued for $1 million bail, saying Celis was a flight risk.

"I don't appreciate the fact that the prosecution is treating me like a second-class citizen," Celis said during the hearing.

Celis has contributed thousands of dollars to state and federal candidates, including the presidential campaign of Sen. Hilary Clinton. Several candidates for state office who accepted campaign cash from Celis have since donated the funds to charity.

Celis, 36, was indicted Friday on charges of impersonating a lawyer, impersonating a police officer, theft and perjury.

He has a controlling interest in the CGT Law Group of Corpus Christi even though he is not an attorney. Texas law prohibits anyone not licensed as a lawyer from owning a controlling interest in a law firm.

Although the indictment was returned Monday, Celis' bail hearing was delayed because two judges recused themselves from the proceedings. Judges do not have to give a reason for recusal.

Among the conditions of bail, Celis must place a sign at the CGT Law Group offices stating he is not a lawyer, and surrender his passport and any firearms he owns.

If the criminal charges are tried together and Celis is found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison plus fines. If the counts are tried separately, he could face 32 years plus fines.