In 2000, the Reform Party received $2,522,690 from the U.S. government to pay for its national presidential convention. It was entitled to this money because it had polled over 5% for president in 1996.

In 2002, the Federal Election Commission audited the party, and determined that $333,588 was not properly spent, and should be returned to the U.S. treasury. On November 22, 2005, a U.S. District Court in Florida refused to disturb the FEC’s claim that the money is owed. The federal court in Florida said the only possible court to give the party any relief is the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., but that court had already denied any relief in 2003. The Florida court has forbidden the Reform Party national committee from spending any money until it repays the debt to the government. FEC v Reform Party, northern district of Fla., 1:04-cv-79.