A top Democrat on the Federal Election Commission who has long targeted the politically-active Koch brothers bragged Tuesday that she voted against a proposed massive fine against groups some have tied to the Kochs because the "fines were too low."

We shouldn't let operatives funneling secret money into elections see low FEC fines as merely a cost of doing business. — Ann Ravel (@AnnMRavel) August 9, 2016



Ann Ravel, the past chair of the six-member elections police, said she supported the sanctions against the groups but when it came to the $233,000 fine outside groups have dubbed as "massive," she opposed.

On Twitter, Ravel said, "Although I voted to move forward with the case, I voted against the settlements. The proposed fines were too low."

Although I voted to move forward with the case, I voted against the settlements. The proposed fines were too low. — Ann Ravel (@AnnMRavel) August 9, 2016



She also tweeted, "We shouldn't let operatives funneling secret money into elections see low FEC fines as merely a cost of doing business."

President Obama's former ethics czar called the FEC's move a "big victory."

Ravel has gone after the Kochs before, famously generating "horrific" death threats against the libertarian advocates.

Good @nytimes @nickconfessore piece on the big @CREWcrew FEC victory against dark money. Hopefully 1st of many. https://t.co/x530qofzUJ — Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) July 13, 2016



Last Friday, the FEC released its enforcement file in three matters involving three conservative non-profit organizations, Americans for Job Security, the 60-Plus Foundation, and the American Future Fund. These groups were fined a combined total of $233,000 for their reporting violations.

Despite allegations from liberal critics of the Kochs, the politically-influentional brothers and their associated groups deny any ties to the fined organizations.

The move was heralded by campaign finance reform advocates. "The FEC Just Slapped Koch Brothers Groups with a Big Fine," was the headline on the American Prospect website.

In its move, the FEC hit the groups for hiding the identities of donors to their 2010 political advertising efforts. A complaint was filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com