Actress Rosie O’Donnell was found to have given Democrats campaign donations that exceed the legal limit.
The most that an individual can give to a candidate is $2,700 per election contest. An analysis of campaign filings by the New York Post found that the actress, who leans liberal, gave a combined $5,400 above the limit to five candidates.
In her defense, O’Donnell said she didn’t intend to act nefariously.
“I was not choosing to over donate,” she said in an email to the Post. “I don’t look to see who I can donate most to … I just donate assuming they do not accept what is over the limit.”
O’Donnell, a prominent critic of President Trump, said she donated money through the liberal online fundraising platform ActBlue and assumed it would limit her donations once she reached the maximum amount.
Among the candidates she gave too much money were Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Conor Lamb, D-Pa., and Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, whose opponent faced accusations of sexual misconduct with minors.
The report said in total O’Donnell gave more than $90,000 during the 2017-2018 election cycle to 50 candidates and committees, citing filings. Though both O’Donnell and the candidates who received oversized funds are legally liable, the report said they are unlikely to get penalized for breaking Federal Election Commission rules as the money can be redirected, including through a refund or toward a different election.
