San Diego Union Tribune: Focus: Scott Peters and Congressional Pals Swap Donations
Paul Ryan, executive director of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center, said donor swapping is common among wealthy families, since it allows someone to indirectly give more money once they’ve reached the donation limit.
“If the parents have maxed out to their own kid, they can give another max donation to someone else who promises to donate back to their kid,” Ryan said. “It’s a fundraising strategy, and it’s perfectly legal.”
Donor-swapping helps boost appearances as well, Ryan said. On paper, a candidate has raised more money, from a longer list of supporters, and the reports appear less reliant on their own family wealth for campaign support.