A Florida appeals court has dismissed a lower court’s ruling that a former Florida Republican congressman attempted to weaken an election opponent in 2012 in violation of campaign finance laws. It’s now up to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) if it wants to retry the case.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on July 1 that a Florida district judge erred in siding with the FEC in a complaint against David Rivera, who served as a congressman from 2011 to 2013 representing Florida’s 25th congressional district.
The appeals court said Mr. Rivera’s denial of the allegations should have been regarded as significant because the district court can’t issue a summary judgment if the defendant has made statements contrary to the claims….