Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) was accused by three advocacy groups of violating federal campaign-finance law by asking employees to donate to its political action committee in exchange for matching donations to a company charity. Public Citizen, Common Cause and Organization United for Respect at Walmart filed a complaint about the matter to the Federal Election Commission in Washington today. Wal-Mart’s donation-solicitation strategy was first reported by Bloomberg News in December. The groups allege in the complaint that Wal-Mart’s offer of a 2-for-1 match “provides a powerful financial incentive -- in the form of indirect compensation -- to an employee.” Campaign-finance laws forbid companies from reimbursing for donations, including through a bonus or through indirect pay.
Source: Groups Accuse Wal-Mart Violating Campaign-Finance Laws - Bloomberg
FEC Complaint here.
