FEC levels one of largest fines against NJ developer [McGreevey appointed Kushner...]

FEC levels one of largest fines against NJ developer Wednesday June 30, 2004 By DONNA DE LA CRUZ Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) The Federal Election Commission on Wednesday leveled one of its largest fines ever against a New Jersey developer for contributing money to political candidates in the names of his partnerships when he did not have the authority to do so.

Charles Kushner, a major Democratic Party donor, agreed to pay FEC $508,900, said FEC spokesman George Smaragdis. The FEC investigation focused on $540,900 contributed to various political candidates and committees between Dec. 5, 1997 and Aug. 17, 2000. Each check had the same Florham Park, N.J., address as the Kushner Companies, and all were signed by Kushner.

The investigation found that Kushner, who controls 40 partnership entities, violated the FEC's ``partnership contribution regulations'' by failing to obtain the agreement of the partners to whom the contributions were attributed.

The FEC began its investigation of Kushner Companies during a routine audit of the Bill Bradley for President Committee after the 2000 elections. The Bradley committee has admitted violating campaign contribution laws by accepting $34,000 in contributions from Kushner and has paid a $16,445 civil penalty.

Kushner is the target of several lawsuits alleging improper use of business funds for personal and political purposes.

Last year, New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey appointed Kushner one of McGreevey's biggest donors to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's board of directors, but he resigned after the investigations into his activities became public.

New Jersey Governor's Top Fund-Raiser Charged With Trying to Hinder Probe

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Gov. James E. McGreevey's top fund-raiser was charged Tuesday with trying to thwart a federal investigation by videotaping a witness in a compromising position with a prostitute.

Real estate developer Charles Kushner hired a call girl to have sex with the witness, had someone videotape them, and then sent the man's wife a copy of the tape, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie said.

Kushner apparently was attempting to influence the witness' testimony in a criminal investigation of Kushner for possible tax fraud and illegal campaign contributions, authorities said.

Kushner, 50, was charged of conspiracy, obstructing a federal investigation and promoting prostitution.

A call to Kushner's office was not immediately returned. Neither was a call to McGreevey's office.

Last month, Kushner was fined $508,900 by the Federal Election Law Enforcement Commission for improperly contributing money to political candidates in the names of his companies.

Since his first gubernatorial campaign in 1997, McGreevey has received at least $369,050 from Kushner, family members and employees of Kushner's firm. The money accounts for nearly 5 percent of the $7.9 million in donations McGreevey has raised in the last decade.

In February 2003, Kushner withdrew as McGreevey's nominee to head the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. At the time, Kushner was the target of lawsuits contending he improperly used business funds for personal and political purposes.

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