A Windsor, Ontario-area billionaire was fined US$975,000 last week for illegal contributions to a political action committee meant to help candidates who support the administration’s agenda Trump-Pence.
It would be the third largest fine imposed by the United States Federal Election Commission (FEC).
In a sworn statement, Barry Zekelman, CEO of his eponymous company, told the FEC that he had discussed potential contributions to America First with executives at Wheatland Tube, a Pennsylvania-based subsidiary. The defendants argued that they were unaware that Mr. Zekelman’s contribution ‘could have legal implications’.
Investigating a complaint from the Campaign Legal Center (CLC), a nonpartisan Democratic group in the United States, the FEC found that the chief executive of Zekelman Industries had provided “substantial assistance” through one of its companies donating to the America First Action group, while a law prohibits a “foreign national” from making direct or indirect contributions to a US election. Three donations were reportedly made on April 5, 2018, June 4, 2018, and October 17, 2018.
The billionaire’s company, Zekelman Industries, has annual revenues of US$2.8 billion. It is one of the largest manufacturers of steel pipe and tubing in North America, with customers in industry, construction, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, national defense and transport.