Watchdogs: Perry team might have violated campaign finance laws

Two watchdog groups called on the Federal Election Commission to look into possible infringements by Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry’s campaign and a pro-Perry super-PAC.

Make Us Great Again might have shared videos produced by the political action committee with the Perry campaign for free or might not have charged the correct amount, Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21 said. “The Perry campaign is prohibited from accepting such in-kind contributions with a value exceeding the $2,500 contribution limit and, further, Super PACs are prohibited altogether from making contributions to candidates,” Campaign Legal Center attorney Paul Ryan said. “It appears the Perry campaign and Make Us Great Again likely violated these laws and the FEC needs to investigate.” The two groups, which plan to file a complaint urging investigation with the commission, cite Politico reports as evidence that the groups shared campaign footage. Three portions of footage used in campaign ads created by Make Us Great Again were also used by Perry’s campaign, the release states.