Group files complaint over McCain’s London fundraiser

A watchdog group announced Monday that it had filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) regarding a fundraiser that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) held in London.

{mosads}Judicial Watch argues that providing a venue for the event free of charge was an illegal in-kind contribution from two foreign nationals — Lord Rothschild OM GBE and The Honorable Nathaniel Rothschild.

“While it is, as yet, unclear how much money was raised during the luncheon, had the venue not been donated to the McCain campaign, the net profit from the event would have been significantly reduced,” the group said in a statement.

The McCain campaign dismissed the complaint as “completely wrong.”

“That’s what happens when a group files a complaint without calling the campaign to see if its facts are straight,” said McCain spokesman Brian Rogers. “The campaign obviously had an agreement to pay for the space, catering and other costs for the event, and those payments are set to be made in due course. There’s just no issue here.”

Judicial Watch has also filed a complaint against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) for holding a fundraiser with British singer Elton John.

“The FEC must treat these incidents seriously, and hold any campaign that accepts contributions from foreign nationals accountable,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “We cannot allow these presidential campaigns to play fast and loose with the law.”