Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum is drawing more scrutiny as his poll numbers rise, and so is the increasingly lucrative super PAC backing the former Pennsylvania Senator. The pro-Santorum Red, White and Blue Fund raised $2 million in January, more than twice what the political action committee took in during all of 2011, according to public disclosure reports filed this week with the Federal Election Commission. But the PAC also faces calls for a Justice Department investigation by a watchdog group and has returned a banned $50,000 foreign donation from a London securities firm.
The super PAC has engaged in illegal coordination with the Santorum presidential campaign, alleges a letter sent to Attorney General Eric Holder today by Democracy 21. The watchdog group leveled similar allegations last week at the super PACs backing GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama.
The letter cites news reports suggesting that Foster Friess, founder of the investment management firm Friess Associates, was engaged in discussions with the super PAC about the nature of its ads at the same time as he was campaigning with Santorum as a member of the candidate’s entourage. Ushered in by the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United v. FEC ruling, super PACs may raise and spend unrestricted money, but only if they act independently from candidates.
Full Article: Super PAC Money Getting More Scrutiny, Complaints : Roll Call Politics.
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