The US Federal Election Commission (FEC) has found that in 2018, Zekelman, born in Windsor, OD, violated the Federal Election Campaign Act, which prohibits any foreign national from contributing directly or indirectly to any political party. or local elections. Investigating a complaint from the Campaign Legal Center (CLC), a non-partisan Democratic group in the United States, the FEC concluded that the CEO of Zekelman Industries provided “substantial assistance” through one of his companies that donated to the America political group. First Action. The CLC said the fine is the third highest ever imposed by the FEC. “We applaud the FEC for doing its job. Imposing this severe penalty helps protect the voices of voters from drowning by foreign companies and other special interests,” said Adav Noti, vice president and legal director of the CLC, in a press release. . . America First Action describes itself as “the primary super PAC dedicated to the election of federal candidates who support the agenda of the Trump-Pence administration,” the FEC notes in the actual and legal analysis of the case. The donations were made on April 5, 2018, June 4, 2018 and October 17, 2018. On June 1, 2018, the US, under Trump, imposed tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and aluminum. Zekelmann, who owns steel companies on both sides of the border, was a staunch supporter of tariffs. According to the New York Times, Zekelman and his wife were invited to a private dinner with Trump after the donations. The settlement agreement, released on Friday, states that the FEC did not consider the breach “intentional or intentional”. Zekelman and his companies argued that the contributions were made in good faith and provided they were allowed. Contributions were made through the Wheatland Tube based in Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of Zekelman Industries for pipes and tubes. They were authorized after consulting the president of the company, who is American, with another executive of the company in the USA Zekelman acknowledged that he also participated in discussions with Zekelman Industries and Wheatland Tube about contributions, the FEC said. As part of the settlement, companies must seek a refund or ask the Super PAC to provide funds to the US Treasury Department. CBC News contacted Zekelman for comment through a Zekelman Industries spokesman, but had not yet heard the news.
