A new memo has detailed the nature of the fundraising agreement between the Hillary For America campaign and the Democratic National Committee, the “collusion” into which President Donald Trump has demanded a full criminal investigation.
The deal, made in August 2015, allowed former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton‘s campaign to give input on hiring and spending decisions within the DNC. In exchange, the campaign would pay $1.2 million, subsequent monthly allowances, and other funds to alleviate debt the DNC incurred during former President Barack Obama‘s 2012 reelection campaign.
According to NBC News, the organization obtained a memorandum of understanding from Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook to DNC CEO Amy Dacey. The memo states that the deal was only related to preparations made for the general election and not the primary elections. The memo also stated similar deals could be made with other candidates.
The agreement was signed on Aug. 26, 2015, months before the party primaries, and it required the DNC to hire a Clinton-approved communications director by Sept. 11 of that year.
“Nothing in this agreement shall be construed to violate the DNC’s obligation of impartiality and neutrality through the Nominating process. All activities performed under this agreement will be focused exclusively on preparations for the General Election and not the Democratic Primary,” the memo reads. “Further we understand you may enter into similar agreements with other candidates.”
The memo comes just days after former DNC interim chair Donna Brazile alleged that Clinton unethically influenced the DNC with the arrangement and subsequently blocked Bernie Sanders from earning the nomination. The deal was first reported in February 2016. Sanders’ campaign also later signed a fundraising agreement with the DNC but did not use it.
H/T NBC News