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 9.&emsp;Campaign contributions

52 U.S.C. § 30116(a)(1)(A) provides that “no person shall make contributions to any candidate and his authorized political committees with respect to any election for Federal office which, in the aggregate, exceed $2,000.” The term “person” includes “an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, labor organization, or any other organization or group of persons.” “Contributions” are defined as, “any gift … or deposit of … anything of value made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office.” Contributions do not include, “the value of services provided without compensation by any individual who volunteers on behalf of a candidate or political committee.” Section 30116(c) provides for adjustments for inflation, stating that limitations for contributions by persons to federal candidates are adjusted every two years. The limitation for an individual donor to a candidate committee for the 2015–2016 election cycle was $2,700.

Violations of section 30116 by a person qualify as a crime if, (1) the violation involved at least the amount specified in a calendar year, and (2) the violation was committed knowingly and willfully.

10.&emsp;Campaign contributions by foreign nationals

52 U.S.C. § 30121(a)(l)(A) makes it a crime for “a foreign national, directly or indirectly … to make a contribution or donation of money or other thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation, in connection with a Federal … election.” Subsection (a)(2) makes it a crime for any person to solicit, accept, or receive such a contribution or donation.

11.&emsp;Fraud against the United States

18 U.S.C. § 1031(a) imposes criminal liability on:

Whoever knowingly executes, or attempts to execute, any scheme or artifice with the intent—

(1) to defraud the United States; or

(2) to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises,