Michael Bloomberg and Bloomberg for Mayor 2009, Inc.
I. Introduction
The Campaign Finance Board (the "Board") issues this determination concerning its
investigation of the complaint filed by New Yorkers for Thompson against Michael Bloomberg
("Bloomberg") and Bloomberg for Mayor 2009, Inc. (the "Committee"), the committee that
Bloomberg authorized to aid his 2009 re-election campaign for mayor. For the reasons set forth
below, the Board finds that political contributions made by Bloomberg with his personal funds to
political committees that support candidates in New York City and throughout New York State
(except political committees of other candidates) are presumptively campaign expenditures in
furtherance of his campaign. The Board, however, has never previously clarified to candidates
that they must report to the Board political contributions made with personal funds, and thus
does not require Bloomberg or any other candidate to report the political contributions at issue
for the 2009 election cycle.
This determination clarifies that: 1) political contributions of more than $99 to political
committees (except political committees of other candidates) that support candidates in New
York City and throughout New York State ("non-candidate political committees"), made by a
candidate with his or her personal funds, are presumptively campaign expenditures in
furtherance of his or her campaign; and 2) effective January 12, 2010, participating, limited
participating, and non-participating candidates ("candidates") must report such contributions
unless the candidate rebuts the presumption that the contributions are in furtherance of his or her
campaign.
See the pdf below for the full text.
*On November 17, 2016, the Board amended Rule 3-03(e)(5), which changed the requirements regarding contributions to political committees made with a candidate’s personal funds.
