Judicial Watch Calls on FEC to Investigate McCain Presidential Fundraising Luncheon Held in London

WASHINGTON, DC, Apr 24 (MARKET WIRE) --
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes
government corruption, announced today that it filed a formal complaint, dated
April 22, 2008, with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) related to a
fundraising luncheon held at London's Spencer House to benefit Senator John
McCain's presidential campaign. The venue for the event was apparently donated
to the
campaignby foreign nationals, in violation of federal campaign finance laws.

"Recent news reports suggest that Sen. John McCain and John McCain for
President may have accepted an in-kind contribution from foreign nationals Lord
Rothschild OM GBE and the Hon. Nathaniel Rothschild of Great Britain in
contravention of federal election laws," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton
wrote in a complaint letter dated April 22, 2008. "On behalf of Judicial
Watch and its supporters, I hereby request that the FEC investigate the
matter."

The McCain fundraiser was held on March 20, 2008 at London's Spencer
House,billed as "London's most magnificent 18th century private palace." The
McCain campaign distributed an invitation indicating that the site for the
luncheon had been provided "by kind permission of Lord Rothschild, OM GBE and
the Hon. Nathaniel Rothschild," who are both foreign nationals. In
statements to the press, the McCain campaign referred to the luncheon as a
"fundraiser."

While it is, as yet, unclear how much money was raised during the
luncheon,had the venue not been donated to the McCain campaign, the net profit
from the
event would have been significantly reduced. The donation of the venue,
therefore, represents an illegal in-kind campaign contribution.

According to 2 U.S.C. Section 441e, Contributions and donations by
foreignnationals, it is illegal for any foreign national to "make a contribution
or donation
of money or other thing of value" to a Federal, State or Local election.
(Judicial Watch filed a similar complaint on April 14, 2008, concerning a
fundraiser by Elton John for Hillary Clinton's campaign.)

"The Clinton campaign recently accepted an in-kind contribution in the
formof a fundraising concert by Elton John. And now the McCain campaign has
apparently run afoul of federal election laws with this foreign
fundraiser.The FEC must treat these incidents seriously, and hold any campaign
that
accepts contributions from foreign nationals accountable. We cannot allow
these presidential campaigns to play fast and loose with the law," stated
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

To read Judicial Watch's FEC complaint in its entirety, please visit
www.judicialwatch.org.

Contact:
Judicial Watch
202-646-5172

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