FECOADMN0002

If the Commission believes that a committee violated the law, it will send a letter to the committee describing the factual and legal basis of its finding, as well as the the amount of the fine. If the committee does not pay the fine and challenges the finding or fine, its challenge is reviewed by a reviewing officer in the Office of Administrative Review. The reviewing officer makes a recommendation to the Commission. According to the Guidebook for Complainants and Respondents on the FEC Enforcement Process, "[t]he Commission then either (1) makes a final determination that a violation occurred and upholds the RTB fine; (2) determines that no violation occurred because the RTB finding was based on a factual error or the committee used best efforts to file on time; (3) terminates its proceedings; or (4) makes a final determination that a violation occurred and modifies the fine."