11 CFR 111.17 : Federal Elections (§ 1.1 To Parts 9431-9499) — (§ 1.1 To Parts 9431-9499) — Federal Election Commission (§ 1.1 To Parts 9040-9099) — General (§ 100.1 To § 116.12) — Compliance Procedure (52 U.S.C. 30109, 30107(A)) (§ 111.1 To § 111.55) — Enforcement (§ 111.1 To § 111.24) — The probable cause to believe finding; notification (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(4)).

(a) If the Commission, after having found reason to believe and after following the procedures set forth in 11 CFR 111.16, determines by an affirmative vote of four (4) of its members that there is probable cause to believe that a respondent has violated a statute or regulation over which the Commission has jurisdiction, the Commission shall authorize the General Counsel to so notify the respondent by letter.

(b) If the Commission finds no probable cause to believe or otherwise orders a termination of Commission proceedings, it shall authorize the General Counsel to so notify both respondent and complainant by letter.