Washington — A campaign finance watchdog group has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against the Holland-based Haworth Co. for contributing $10,000 to U.S. Senate hopeful John James’ super political action committee.
The nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center says that, as a federal government contractor, Haworth is prohibited from donating to candidates and super PACs under a federal law in force for more than 75 years meant to guard against pay-to-play in government contracting.
The Washington-based Campaign Legal Center filed its complaint Thursday, noting that Haworth's contribution listed the address of its corporate headquarters at 1 Haworth Center in Holland, Michigan.
The privately held company, which is in the contract furnishings industry, has received numerous federal contracts dating to at least 2001, including contracts active this year, according to the complaint.
Federal law prohibits contractors from making any "contribution to any political party, committee or candidate for public office" and bans the knowing solicitation of such a contribution from a federal contractor.
The complaint says the FEC has "made clear" since 2011 that the government-contractor prohibition extends to super PACs.
"I don’t see any legitimate argument that this is contribution came from a non-contracting entity," said Brendan Fischer, director of the CLC's Federal Reform Program.
Julie Smith, a spokeswoman for Haworth, said Thursday that "at the time of the donation, it was communicated to Haworth that a donation by the company was permitted."
"As a result of the news article published today, the donation is being refunded until more clarity can be obtained surrounding this matter," Smith said by email.
"Haworth takes great pride in its history of strong corporate values and abiding by the laws of the U.S. and other areas of the world in which we operate. We would never intentionally breach any laws or regulations and will ensure this matter is also appropriately addressed."
Fischer said the federal ban adopted decades ago was intended to end the "long record of government contracts effectively being for sale."