Jailed LaRouche Is Denied Public Campaign Funds
The Federal Election Commission denied public financing for Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr.’s 1992 presidential bid Thursday, saying the imprisoned political extremist has a history of fraudulent fund raising.
The commission’s 6-0 vote marked the first time the FEC has refused to provide campaign matching funds based on a candidate’s past conduct, lawyers said.
LaRouche, 69, who is running as a Democrat while serving a 15-year prison sentence for mail fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion, received more than $1.8 million in federal matching funds for his previous unsuccessful campaigns.
LaRouche, who is imprisoned in Rochester, Minn., also has been accused of violating various FEC rules during his presidential bids.
LaRouche supporters vowed to challenge the FEC ruling. Spokeswoman Debra Freeman said the commission’s findings were “rife with misstatement and outright lies.”
Denial of matching funds is not the only hurdle facing LaRouche in his latest White House bid. The FEC said at least 30 states prohibit an imprisoned, convicted felon from appearing on their ballots.
Federal law prohibits convicted felons from voting, but not from running for office.
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