Despite American Media’s reported admission, there are expenditures that might “influence an election,” yet not constitute campaign-related expenses. According to an article in The Daily Signal, the Federal Election Campaign Act (52 U.S.C. 30114 (b)(2)) specifically says that campaign-related expenses do not include any expenditures “used to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expense of a person that would exist irrespective of the candidate’s election campaign.”
Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s attorney, previously indicated that the payment to Stormy Daniels was made “to resolve a personal and false allegation in order to protect the president’s family” and “it would have been done in any event, whether he was a candidate or not.” This provision of the law, along with the John Edwards case, provides the president with a strong counter-punch to these allegations.
[clip]
For example, what should happen to those in Congress? Would prosecutors be compelled to pursue those members in Congress who have also made such payoffs? If Trump’s payments are deemed to be campaign-related expenses for the purpose of impacting an election, should each and every House or Senate member who has engaged in such conduct face criminal charges?
http://thefederalist.com/2018/12/14/charging-trump-hush-money-payouts-implicates-congress-behavior/
Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s attorney, previously indicated that the payment to Stormy Daniels was made “to resolve a personal and false allegation in order to protect the president’s family” and “it would have been done in any event, whether he was a candidate or not.” This provision of the law, along with the John Edwards case, provides the president with a strong counter-punch to these allegations.
[clip]
For example, what should happen to those in Congress? Would prosecutors be compelled to pursue those members in Congress who have also made such payoffs? If Trump’s payments are deemed to be campaign-related expenses for the purpose of impacting an election, should each and every House or Senate member who has engaged in such conduct face criminal charges?
http://thefederalist.com/2018/12/14/charging-trump-hush-money-payouts-implicates-congress-behavior/
