We have really got way off track in this thread.
Here is a good read:
https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/...eased_Penalties_Campaign_Finance_Offenses.pdf
And to save some of you time, here is my favorite part:
The second area in which the Commission believes the available statutory maximum
punishment constrains imposition of appropriate sentences is for violations under section
322(a)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Section 322(a)(1) states:
(a) In General. No person who is a candidate
for Federal office or an employee or agent of
such a candidate shall–
(1) fraudulently misrepresent himself or any committee or organization under his
control as speaking or writing or otherwise acti
ng for or on behalf of any other candidate or
political party or employee or agent thereof on a matter which is damaging to such other
candidate or political party or employee or agent thereof . . .
The typical §322(a)(1) violation is a situation in which one candidate, or someone under
his or her control, generates a campaign communication which purports to be from his or her
opponent and which attributes to that opponent
a view not held by that opponent. Such
communications are especially malicious in that they are designed to confuse the electorate to
the opponent’s detriment. Staff at the Federal Election Commission have informed the
Commission that such offenses, even when less than $25,000 is expended, can have great impact
on the outcome of an election. This is particularly true in congressional elections or, to a lesser
extent, senatorial elections in less populous states. Accordingly, the Commission recommends
that Congress increase the statutory maximum sentence applicable to §322(a)(1) offenses to five
years' imprisonment, irrespective of the amount of money involved.
![[eyeroll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/rolleye/rolleye0011.r191677.gif "Eye roll [eyeroll]")
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