Regulators Say Fox Took Illegal Donations
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MEXICO CITY — President Vicente Fox’s campaign organization violated election law by accepting more than half a million dollars in illegal donations during his successful presidential bid in 2000, investigators said Thursday.
The report by the Federal Electoral Institute is unlikely to have a direct effect on the president but could have major repercussions on his National Action Party. The institute can’t bring charges but could levy stiff fines against it.
The institute said the Fox campaign accepted $100,000 and $160,000 from two foreign donors, whom it did not name.
Investigators also found that Fox’s campaign received $284,000 in contributions from senators from his party, also an election law violation.
In addition, the president’s campaign failed to acknowledge $9.3 million in general donations it received throughout the campaign, the report said.
Fox spokesman Armando Osorio declined to comment.
Party leaders have five days to present evidence to counter the allegations, said Jaime Cardenas, a member of the institute’s financing arm.
Fox took office in December 2000.
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