EAST ST. LOUIS, IL – According to the Federal Election Commission, Republican Illinois Congressman Mike Bost (top right) out-raised his liberal Democrat opponent C.J. Baricevic (bottom right) during the July quarterly. Bost raised $332,919 to trial lawyer Baricevic's $201,938. The commission reports that Bost has $1,041,005 cash on hand, and Baricevic’s camp has only $417,411.
Baricevic’s camp spun the negative news by claiming that much of Bost's support comes from outside the district, and that a majority of his came from the Metro East region. However, in June the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, a nonprofit watchdog group, filed a complaint alleging that a Belleville law firm — Keefe, Keefe & Unsell PC — used low-level employees as “straw men” to fund Baricevic’s campaign balance.
The group called for an investigation from the Federal Elections Commission and said if the campaign took illegal donations, the money should be returned.
Julia Queen, public affairs specialist for FEC, said in July the enforcement process is confidential, but it could confirm that it has received the complaint. She couldn’t confirm whether or not the FEC was going to investigate.
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