Jim Ellis (politics)
Encyclopedia
James W. Ellis, (fl.
2000) is an American Republican political activist.
He is the former executive director of Thomas D. DeLay's political action committee
Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (ARMPAC), and is one of the two political associates who were indicted with DeLay on September 28, 2005, in "an alleged scheme to use corporate political donations illegally to support candidates in state elections."
Ellis and John Colyandro
, who "also faces 13 counts of unlawful acceptance of a corporate political contribution," "already faced charges of money laundering
in the case." They were indicted September 13, 2005, "on additional felony charges of violating Texas election law and criminal conspiracy to violate election law for their role in the 2002 legislative races." http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/09/13/election.probe.ap/
"The money laundering charges stem from $190,000 in corporate funds that were sent" to the Republican National Committee
, "which then spent the same amount on seven candidates for the Texas Legislature." http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/09/13/election.probe.ap/
In 2000 Jim Ellis, along with Tom DeLay
, Ed Buckham
and others, was named in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
(RICO) lawsuit by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
. Ellis was running Americans for Economic Growth (AEG), which received $300,000 in "soft money" from the National Republican Congressional Committee
funneled via Ed Buckham's U.S. Family Network
non-profit in 1999. AEG spent $300,000 in radio ads attacking Democrats. When the suit was settled, the NRCC agreed to pay a $280,000 civil fine.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
2000) is an American Republican political activist.
He is the former executive director of Thomas D. DeLay's political action committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (ARMPAC), and is one of the two political associates who were indicted with DeLay on September 28, 2005, in "an alleged scheme to use corporate political donations illegally to support candidates in state elections."
Ellis and John Colyandro
John Colyandro
John Dominick Colyandro is the former executive director of the political action committee Texans for a Republican Majority. Colyandro has been indicted for money laundering and unlawful acceptance of corporate contributions....
, who "also faces 13 counts of unlawful acceptance of a corporate political contribution," "already faced charges of money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
in the case." They were indicted September 13, 2005, "on additional felony charges of violating Texas election law and criminal conspiracy to violate election law for their role in the 2002 legislative races." http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/09/13/election.probe.ap/
"The money laundering charges stem from $190,000 in corporate funds that were sent" to the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
, "which then spent the same amount on seven candidates for the Texas Legislature." http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/09/13/election.probe.ap/
In 2000 Jim Ellis, along with Tom DeLay
Tom DeLay
Thomas Dale "Tom" DeLay is a former member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Texas's 22nd congressional district from 1984 until 2006. He was Republican Party House Majority Leader from 2003 to 2005, when he resigned because of criminal money laundering charges in...
, Ed Buckham
Ed Buckham
Edwin A. Buckham is a former congressional staffer and lobbyist, who presently is under investigation in various scandals surrounding high-profile lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former Congressman Tom DeLay...
and others, was named in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization...
(RICO) lawsuit by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body. They play a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing races in districts that are expected to yield...
. Ellis was running Americans for Economic Growth (AEG), which received $300,000 in "soft money" from the National Republican Congressional Committee
National Republican Congressional Committee
The National Republican Congressional Committee is the Republican Hill committee which works to elect Republicans to the United States House of Representatives....
funneled via Ed Buckham's U.S. Family Network
U.S. Family Network
U.S. Family Network, Inc. was founded in 1996 by Ed Buckham, who also served as the organization's consultant. USFN was a tax-exempt 501 corporation founded in Virginia, with its principal offices located in the District of Columbia in the same building as Buckham's consulting firm Alexander...
non-profit in 1999. AEG spent $300,000 in radio ads attacking Democrats. When the suit was settled, the NRCC agreed to pay a $280,000 civil fine.
External links
- Bruce Rushton, "The Ethics Omission. Enforcers of Missouri's campaign-finance laws would rather hide than seek," River Front Times, October 1, 2001.
- Roy Temple, "DeLay Gave Roy Blunt $150,000," Fired Up Missouri!, June 9, 2005.
- "GOP operative should stand trial for money-laundering. Judge makes first ruling in corporate cash case," Austin American-Statesman, July 12, 2005.
- "Judge Supports Charges Vs. DeLay Colleagues," Associated Press, August 10, 2005.
- Roy Temple, "The Role of Jim Ellis," Fired Up America, August 15, 2005.
- Patrick O'Connor, "With ethics back in spotlight, Republicans are holding fundraiser for DeLay associate," The Hill, August 17, 2005.
- "Grand jury indicts two DeLay associates," Associated Press (CNN), September 13, 2005.
- Syvia Moreno, "3 DeLay Workers Indicted in Texas. Aides Charged in Fundraising Probe," Washington Post, September 22, 2005.