By Brooks Jackson/CNN

WASHINGTON (December 1) -- Auditors for the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Tuesday accused the 1996 presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton and Bob Dole of massive spending violations, and said both campaigns should be required to repay millions of dollars to federal taxpayers.

The staff recommended that the Clinton campaign repay $7 million, and the Dole campaign repay $2.9 million.

Auditors cited evidence that both campaigns benefited from millions of dollars in so-called "issue ads" paid for by their respective parties, but said the ads should legally be treated as campaign ads subject to the spending limits that both candidates agreed to so they could receive federal matching funds for their primary campaigns.

The audit recommendation is scheduled to be reviewed by the six-member commission Thursday. The commission, divided among three Democratic and Republican appointees, can accept, reject or alter the repayment figures. In the past the FEC commission has often overruled its staff.

The candidates and the parties are disputing the staff's findings, saying the "issue ads" legally are not campaign commercials because they did not specifically advocate the election or defeat of either candidate.

The audits cited evidence that both candidates illegally coordinated the party ads and in doing so, exceeded the spending limits they agreed to when they accepted taxpayer assistance for the election.

The FEC auditors' findings already have prompted a separate Justice Department investigation into the legality of the ads.

In addition, the FEC recommended that the Dole campaign repay another $14.8 million it received during the general election, bringing the total to $17.7 million.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Tuesday, December 1, 1998

• House panel expands impeachment probe
• FEC audit says Clinton, Dole campaigns owe taxpayers millions
• Georgia firm fined $1 million for illegal campaign contributions
• Espy trial goes to jury
• Sources: Craig Smith in line to head Gore 2000 campaign
• FCC fairness rule challenged
• Lott, unopposed, re-elected Senate majority leader
• Ashcroft, pondering White House run, stresses pragmatism
• News Analysis: How do you count Americans?
• Arkansas state senator charged in fatal accident
• Tom Hanks says he still supports president
• Indiana congressman robbed
• White House Christmas tree arrives
• Justices' voices to be transmitted

Transcript:
• House Judiciary Committee

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