Case: Lacy v. Federal Election Commission

1:25-cv-01808 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: June 9, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenged the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) October 2024 dismissal of an administrative complaint which alleged that National Public Radio (NPR) violated the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA). Specifically, the complaint claimed that NPR unlawfully made in-kind contributions to, and failed to disclose independent expenditures made to, the 2024 presidential campaigns of President Biden and Vice President Harris. NPR, as a news organization, is exempt from many of FECA…

This case challenged the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) October 2024 dismissal of an administrative complaint which alleged that National Public Radio (NPR) violated the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA). Specifically, the complaint claimed that NPR unlawfully made in-kind contributions to, and failed to disclose independent expenditures made to, the 2024 presidential campaigns of President Biden and Vice President Harris. NPR, as a news organization, is exempt from many of FECA’s strictures; plaintiffs contended that NPR advocated so consistently for Democratic candidates and priorities so as not to qualify for such an exemption. Plaintiffs, a coalition of right-wing nonprofits and activists, alleged that the FEC’s dismissal of their administrative complaint violated FECA.

Represented by private counsel, plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against the FEC on June 9, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Plaintiffs sought a declaration that the FEC’s dismissal of their administrative complaint was “arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law” under FECA, an order that the FEC comply with such a declaration, and attorneys’ fees.

The case has not yet been assigned to a judge. It is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Matt Petrillo (6/18/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70496175/parties/lacy-v-federal-election-commission/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Davidson, Erielle (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-01808

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

June 9, 2025

June 9, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70496175/lacy-v-federal-election-commission/

Last updated July 18, 2025, 11:24 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11745386) filed by JAMES LACY in his capacity as President of United States Justice Foundation and Policy Issues Institute, ALEXANDER TOMESCU, POLICY ISSUES INSTITUTE, UNITED STATES JUSTICE FOUNDATION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Summons Summons)(Davidson, Erielle) (Entered: 06/09/2025)

1 Exhibit Exhibit 1

View on RECAP

2 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

3 Summons Summons

View on PACER

June 9, 2025

June 9, 2025

RECAP
2

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by POLICY ISSUES INSTITUTE, UNITED STATES JUSTICE FOUNDATION (Davidson, Erielle) (Entered: 06/09/2025)

June 9, 2025

June 9, 2025

RECAP
3

Request for Summons to Issue

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

PACER
4

.Order

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

PACER
5

Electronic Summons Issued as to AUSA,USAG

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

PACER
6

Request for Summons to Issue

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

PACER
7

Electronic Summons Issued as to AUSA,USAG

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

PACER

Notice of Error- New Case

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

PACER
8

Appear Pro Hac Vice

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

PACER

Case Details