Canadian steel tycoon Barry Zekelman and his companies are fined $1.2 million over donations made to Donald Trump supporters in the United States in 2018.
© /CBC/Dale Molnar
Barry Zekelman, PDG de Zekelman Industries
According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Mr. Zekelman provided a substantial helpto one of his companies for these donations. However, in the United States, it is forbidden for a foreigner to make a campaign donation.
The Windsor businessman’s financial contributions to the political group America First Action totaled US$1.75 million (C$2.2 million).
Mr. Zekelman maintained that the donations had been made in good faith through an American company. The FEC concluded that the Canadian did not knowingly violate US law.
Gallery: The 20 largest banks in the world (Espresso)
According to the agreement reached with the American authorities, Mr. Zekelman must ask for a refund of his donations or ensure that the group America First Action remit the sum to the US Treasury.
The investigation and the fine imposed stems from a complaint to the Federal Election Commission by the voter advocacy group Campaign Legal Center.
We congratulate the FEC to have done his job. This serious sanction helps protect the voice of voters from being overwhelmed by foreign corporations and other pressure groupssays Adav Noti of the non-partisan group.
With information provided by CBC News
