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Linda Bean In Trouble With FEC Over Pro-Trump PAC

A pro-Donald Trump political action committee funded by L.L. Bean heiress Linda Bean is under scrutiny by the Federal Elections Commission.

The committee, Making America Great Again LLC, was notified Wednesday by the FEC that it had exceeded individual contribution limits, including three separate donations totaling $60,000 by Bean herself. Additionally, the FEC letter said the PAC had failed to file on time for several independent expenditures for ads and communications supporting Trump and opposing Hillary Clinton.

A spokesman for the FEC said federal law prohibits him from commenting on the potential enforcement cases. However, Bean’s PAC on Friday sent two updated filings to address the issues outlined in the FEC letter.

One filing clarifies that Bean’s group is a super PAC, which allows groups and individuals to contribute unlimited amounts of money to the committee. Had Bean’s group originally filed as a super PAC, Bean’s donations would have been legal under federal law. The group has also filed an amended independent expenditure report, as requested by the FEC.

It’s unclear whether the PAC will face any fines for the late filings. It has until Feb. 8 to file any additional information to the FEC.

Bean is a prolific donor to conservative candidates and causes. She gave over $30,000 to Maine-based PACs this year, including one headed by Gov. Paul LePage. Bean has also contributed to federal PACs and candidates, including Republican Sen. Rand Paul and a PAC supporting former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina.

The Making America Great Again PAC spent over $66,000 supporting Trump.

Bean is the granddaughter of Leon Leonwood Bean.

Journalist Steve Mistler is Maine Public’s chief politics and government correspondent. He is based at the State House.