National/Federal

How Elderly Dementia Patients Are Unwittingly Fueling Political Campaigns

CNN – Blake Ellis, Melanie Hicken, Yahya Abou-Ghazala, Audrey Ash, Kyung Lah, Anna-Maja Rappard, Casey Tolan, Lou Robinson, and Brian Manley | Published: 10/22/2024

More than 1,000 reports filed with government agencies and consumer advocacy groups reviewed by CNN, along with an analysis of campaign finance data and interviews with dozens of contributors and their family members, show how deceptive political fundraisers have victimized hundreds of elderly Americans and misled those battling dementia or other cognitive impairments into giving away millions of dollars, far more than they ever intended. Some unintentionally joined the ranks of the top grassroots political donors in the country as they tapped into retirement savings and went into debt.

Federal Court Nominees’ Stays at Trump Hotel Pose Murky Ethical Dilemma

Courthouse News Service – Benjamin Weiss | Published: 10/22/2024

A report from House Democrats detailing possible violations of the Constitution’s presidential emoluments clause may also raise unexplored questions about judicial ethics. Lawmakers cited more than a dozen people, including ambassadors, state government officials, and people seeking presidential pardons, who spent thousands of dollars at Trump International Hotel during Donald Trump’s administration. Among those hotel guests were three of Trump’s judicial nominees, all of whom Democrats say stayed at Trump’s property while they were seeking his nomination to the bench.

U.S. Officials Say Russia Smeared Tim Walz, Might Stoke Post-Vote Violence

MSN – Joseph Menn and David Nakamura (Washington Post) | Published: 10/22/2024

Intelligence officials said Russians seeking to disrupt the U.S. elections created a faked video and other material smearing Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz with abuse allegations and are considering fomenting violence during and after the vote. The faked content accused Walz of inappropriate interactions with students while a teacher and coach. The posts drew millions of views on social media, falsely tarring the Minnesota governor ahead of November 5.

A New Washington Influence Industry Is Making Millions from Sanctions

MSN – Jeff Stein, Federica Cocco, and Peter Whoriskey (Washington Post) | Published: 10/24/2024

A sharp increase in U.S. sanctions has spawned a new lobbying industry in Washington, as businesses and governments around the world attempt to shape these economic penalties by hiring former American officials to leverage their connections. An avalanche of cash from abroad has flowed to former lawmakers and aides from both parties with experience at some of the highest levels of the government. Foreign spending on sanctions-related lobbying has surged from roughly $6 million in 2014 to at least $31 million in 2022, a more than fivefold increase that mirrors the rise in U.S. sanctions.

Why Are ABC Viewers Being Forced to See a Graphic Anti-Abortion Ad?

MSN – Jeremy Barr and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2024

Over the past weeks, ABC viewers across the country have been shown a graphic advertisement featuring images of aborted fetuses, as part of a campaign by anti-abortion rights advocate and long-shot presidential candidate Randall Terry. The ad has shocked viewers, who have taken to social media demanding to know why ABC would run it. But the network said it has no say in the matter. Because Terry is a candidate on the ballots in about a dozen states, ABC said it is bound by Federal Communications Commission rules to air the ad, unedited.

Judge Orders Giuliani to Forfeit Millions in Assets to Election Workers He Defamed

MSN – Eileen Sullivan (New York Times) | Published: 10/22/2024

A federal judge ordered Rudy Giuliani to turn over most of his possessions and available cash to a receivership controlled by the two Georgia election workers he defamed after the last presidential election. Giuliani has seven days to make the transfer, which includes his New York apartment and his vintage Mercedes-Benz. The judge also ordered him to turn over certain pieces of furniture, his television, sports memorabilia, jewelry, and 26 watches, including one that Giuliani said his grandfather gave him.

Appendix of Source Materials Unsealed in Trump Jan. 6 Prosecution

MSN – Spencer Hsu, Perry Stein, and Aaron Blake (Washington Post) | Published: 10/18/2024

U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan unsealed the appendix of source materials underpinning special counsel Jack Smith’s legal filing that detailed the evidence collected against Donald Trump in the federal election interference case, though the document was heavily redacted and appeared to contain few new revelations. Trump’s legal team opposed making the materials public so soon, arguing that the release now could appear as though the court was trying to affect the upcoming election. But Chutkan said withholding the documents could amount to election interference.

Musk Promises a Daily $1 Million Lottery in Questionable Pro-Trump Effort

MSN – Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) | Published: 10/20/2024

Elon Musk announced he will give away $1 million each day to registered voters in battleground states who sign a petition put out by his super PAC’s voter recruitment drive. The plan also presents a special offer to voters in Pennsylvania: those who sign the petition will receive $100, and if they successfully convince another registered voter in the state to sign, they will receive another $100. Experts questioned the legality of the scheme because it ties a monetary reward to voter registration status, which is prohibited under federal law.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Judge Halts Alabama State Program Aimed at Determining Voter Eligibility

MSN – David Nakamura and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 10/16/2024

A federal judge halted an Alabama state program aimed at removing undocumented immigrants from voter rolls, siding with the Justice Department and civil rights groups who argued the effort came too close to election day and improperly included people eligible to cast a ballot. In her ruling, District Court Judge Anna Manasco said the state’s efforts, which officials said identified 3,281 people whose voting status would be inactivated, included thousands of U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote and “far fewer noncitizens” who are ineligible.

Alaska – Alaska Lt. Gov. Dahlstrom Approves Campaign-Finance Ballot Measure for 2026 Vote

Alaska Beacon – James Brooks | Published: 10/18/2024

Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom approved a ballot measure that would reimpose financial limits on candidates and donors. The measure now faces a statewide vote in 2026. Bruce Botelho, a former state attorney general who is one of three leading sponsors of the ballot measure, said he hopes for faster action. If the Alaska Legislature passes “substantially similar” legislation to the ballot measure, it will be removed from the 2026 vote.

Arizona – Arizona County Official Who Delayed Certifying Election Results Accepts Plea Deal

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2024

An Arizona Republican who helped inspire national concerns over county-level certification of the 2024 presidential election pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to a “failure or refusal” to perform her duty. Peggy Judd, who helps lead Cochise County, was indicted a year ago for allegedly flouting the state’s deadlines to formally accept the results of the 2022 midterm general election. State prosecutors asked that Judd serve unsupervised probation for 90 days, a period that extends through the certification process for the upcoming presidential election.

California – L.A. Times Editorials Editor Resigns After Owner Blocks Harris Endorsement

MSN – Kelsey Ables (Washington Post) | Published: 10/24/2024

The head of editorials at the Los Angeles Times, Mariel Garza, resigned after the newspaper’s billionaire owner Patrick Soon-Shiong vetoed the editorial board’s planned endorsement of Kamala Harris in the presidential election. Newspapers generally have separate, independent departments for news and editorial writing, with the editorial side offering opinions on issues – including endorsements for political candidates – while the newsroom focuses on facts.

California – California Regulator Slams SoCalGas for Misusing Customer Funds to Fight Electrification

MSN – Ari Plachta (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 10/23/2024

Reports have shown Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) wrongfully spent millions of customer dollars in recent years to oppose California’s growing electrification policies. SoCalGas, the nation’s largest gas utility, denied those findings. Now, the California Public Utilities Commission acknowledged SoCalGas inappropriately used ratepayer funds to promote natural gas through lobbying, legal fees, and other efforts and issued new transparency measures to monitor its future political activities.

California – Supervisor Andrew Do Agrees to Plead Guilty in Federal Investigation, Resign from Board of Supervisors

MSN – Destiny Torres, Tony Saavedra, and Michael Slaten (Orange County Register) | Published: 10/22/2024

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do will plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and resign from the Board of Supervisors. Do admitted in his plea agreement that beginning in 2020 he received more than $550,000 in bribes to vote in favor of and direct COVID-related funds to the Viet America Society. He allocated the money without disclosing that his daughter worked and held leadership roles for the group. Instead of the funding going to meal programs, county District Attorney Todd said the money “filled the pockets of insiders, (Do), and … family members.”

California – How S.F.’s Former Dream Keeper Chief Used Her City Position to Boost Her Personal Brand

MSN – Michael Barba and St. John Barned-Smith (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 10/16/2024

Sheryl Davis, who resigned in September as head of San Francisco’s Dream Keeper Initiative amid reports of misspending and lax oversight, repeatedly used city resources to promote herself and a self-published children’s book, a media investigation found. Payments for a podcast and referrals to her personal website raise questions about whether Davis improperly used city resources, illustrating the blurred lines separating her career as a public official from her private life and ambitions as an author and public speaker.

California – Federal Judge Agrees to Dismiss Pending Charge Against Recology in San Francisco Bribery Case

Waste Dive – Cole Rosengren | Published: 10/18/2024

A federal judge agreed that Recology has satisfied the terms of its deferred prosecution agreement in San Francisco and granted a motion to dismiss a pending bribery charge against the company. Two former Recology executives – Paul Giusti, local director of government affairs, and John Porter, his supervisor and head of the SF Recology Group – were sentenced last year for their role in what the Justice Department described as “one of the largest corruption scandals in San Francisco history.”

Florida – ‘It’s the First Amendment, Stupid’: Federal judge blasts DeSantis administration for threats against TV stations

MSN – Liam Reilly and Brian Stelter (CNN) | Published: 10/17/2024

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Mark Walker granted a temporary restraining order against Florida’s surgeon general after the state health department threatened to bring criminal charges against broadcasters airing an ad in support of a ballot measure that that seeks to overturn a six-week abortion ban by enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. “To keep it simple for the State of Florida: it’s the First Amendment, stupid,” wrote Walker.

Georgia – Georgia Supreme Court Refuses to Reinstate Hand-Count Rule in Time for Election Day

MSN – Aysha Bagchi (USA Today) | Published: 10/22/2024

The Georgia Supreme Court rejected a Republican request for a speedy appeal to get seven rules, including a requirement for thousands of poll workers to hand count ballots, reinstated in the final weeks before the election. The decision likely means none of the rules will be in place on November 5. The appeal will still be able to proceed on the regular, slower timeline.

Hawaii – Maui Voters to Decide If County Board of Ethics Can Hire a Full-Time Staff

Honolulu Civil Beat – Leo Azambuja | Published: 10/21/2024

Maui voters are being asked to allow the county Board of Ethics to hire its own full-time staff, including an executive director, a secretary, and an investigator. The all-volunteer board currently has no staff, and the proposed county charter amendment would allow more opportunities for ethics training of county employees and investigations of ethics violations.

Hawaii – Hawaii Legislature Rarely Uses Its Own Process to Investigate Lawmakers

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair | Published: 10/16/2024

There are concerns that the Hawaii Legislature does not do much about lawmakers who behave badly, and whether the public would even hear about it if they did. The House Select Committee on Standards of Conduct appears to have rarely convened since its inception 16 years ago. Members of both chambers and parties say a big reason is legislators are reluctant to speak out for fear of retaliation “Anyone who complains, forget your bills …,” said Sen. Les Ihara, who was the author of a 2007 bill that called for setting up legislative ethics committees.

Illinois – Corrupt Political Boss or Defender of His Constituents? Madigan Trial Begins in Earnest

MSN – Jason Meisner, Megan Crepeau, and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/21/2024

It has been five years since former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the nation’s longest-serving legislative leader and the kingpin of the state’s Democrats, landed in the crosshairs of a federal corruption investigation. As opening statements in Madigan’s historic trial got underway, his defense team said the government’s cooperating witnesses were liars with an “axe to grind” who were operating without the speaker’s knowledge or authorization. Prosecutors told the jury Madigan ruthlessly used his perch at the top of state politics to betray the public trust, increase his power, enrich his friends, and line his own pockets.

Louisiana – The Louisiana Ethics Board Is Trying to Rein in PAC Spending. Lawmakers Are Balking.

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 10/23/2024

The Louisiana Board of Ethics has quietly clamped down on PAC spending for over a year, angering state lawmakers and a campaign advisor to Gov. Jeff Landry. Campaign finance attorneys said the ethics board has started to ask more questions, and possibly launched more investigations, into elected officials’ PAC spending since the middle of 2023. Legislators confirmed they were being told to take care when spending PAC money for the time being

Michigan – State Says Anti-Renewable Group Violated Campaign Finance Law Following Planet Detroit Investigation

Planet Detroit – Brian Allnutt | Published: 10/18/2024

The Michigan Department of State found the nonprofit Our Home Our Voice (OHOV) committed a “potential violation” of campaign finance law with its fundraising for a ballot question committee looking to repeal a renewable energy law. The law could allow energy developers to overcome restrictive local ordinances that block large-scale wind and solar projects from being built. The decision follows a report that found that OHOV, a 501(c)(4) organization, appeared to solicit donations for the ballot initiative and donated $54,200 to the ballot question committee.

Mississippi – Second Conspirator Pleads Guilty in Jackson Bribery Case. Man Tied to 2 Elected Officials

Yahoo News – Charlie Drape (Jackson Clarion Ledger) | Published: 10/17/2024

A second person in a bribery scandal pleaded guilty in the case that brought down former Jackson City Councilperson Angelique Lee. At least two other elected officials are involved. Court documents in the case were unsealed for Sherik Marve Smith, who is associated with Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens’ real estate company, which is being investigated by the FBI. Smith was also working with “Unindicted Co-Conspirator B” and “Unindicted Co-Conspirator C,” who are both elected officials of the city of Jackson, according to court documents.

Missouri – Ex-St. Louis Prosecutor Admits She Misused Public Funds and Avoids Criminal Charges

MSN – Heather Hollingsworth (Associated Press) | Published: 10/23/2024

A former prosecutor in St. Louis admitted she should not have used thousands of dollars in public funds to pay herself back after getting fined for mistakes while prosecuting a governor. Kim Gardner resigned under fire last year after being elected the city’s first Black circuit attorney in 2016. She will avoid federal criminal prosecution for misusing the $5,004 in public funds as long as she pays them back and follows other rules of a pretrial diversion agreement.

Nebraska – Felons with Finished Sentences Can Register to Vote, Nebraska Supreme Court Rules

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 10/16/2024

Nebraska residents who were convicted of felonies and have finished their sentences can vote in the November election, the state’s Supreme Court ruled, potentially opening the door for thousands of Nebraskans to cast their ballot. The ruling could have implications for the presidential race as Nebraska, which is solidly red, is one of two states that award some of their electoral votes by congressional district.

Nevada – ‘Gaping Loophole’ in Campaign-Finance Law: Dan Bilzerian, others give big to politicians

MSN – Eli Segall (Las Vegas Review-Journal) | Published: 10/17/2024

Las Vegas celebrity Dan Bilzerian has injected large amounts of money into Nevada politics, allowed by a legal loophole that lets him give the maximum amount through corporate entities. It is a common practice in Nevada, experts say. Since the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the lid on corporate political spending, outside groups have spent billions of dollars trying to influence federal elections. Nevada law has long allowed people to give big to state and local candidates: Donors can give the maximum allowed in their own name and through a limitless number of corporate entities to the same candidate, experts said.

Nevada – Here’s What Will Happen to Library Executive Who Took Super Bowl Tickets

MSN – Jessica Hill (Las Vegas Review-Journal) | Published: 10/16/2024

The executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District who accepted free Super Bowl tickets is required to implement ethics training for himself and his staff in accordance with an agreement approved by the Nevada Commission on Ethics. Kelvin Watson received tickets to attend the Super Bowl in Las Vegas that were valued at around $8,600.

Nevada – Former Las Vegas Area Democratic Politician Gets Minimum 28 Years in Prison for Killing Reporter

MSN – Ken Ritter (Associated Press) | Published: 10/16/2024

A former Las Vegas-area elected official was sentenced to serve at least 28 years in prison for killing an investigative journalist who wrote articles critical of his conduct in office two years ago and exposed an intimate relationship with a female coworker. A judge invoked sentencing enhancements for use of a deadly weapon and the age of the reporter to add eight years to the minimum 20-years-to-life sentence that a jury set after finding Robert Telles guilty of first-degree murder.

New Hampshire – ‘Wrap Up Quickly’: State supreme court justice indicted for allegedly interfering with investigation into ports director husband

MSN – Elura Nanos (Law and Crime) | Published: 10/16/2024

New Hampshire Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Hantz Marconi, who is married to a long-embattled state official, was indicted for interfering with a criminal investigation into her husband. According to prosecutors, Marconi attempted to influence Gov. Chris Sununu to cut short an investigation into State Ports and Harbor Director Geno Marconi.

New York – Stricter New Rules for Campaign Cash Could Deal Blow to Mayor Adams’ Reelection Bid

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 10/21/2024

Under proposed rule changes, the New York City Campaign Finance Board would be required to withhold the public financing program’s eight-to-one matching funds from candidates who violate specific rules. Until now, the board has been able to use its discretion to determine a candidate’s eligibility for matching funds, despite most compliance concerns. Board officials say the proposals amount to little more than bureaucratic housekeeping. But the new rules could have major implications for Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign.

New York – Where’s The Money? More Than $400,000 Missing from Bronx Democratic Party Disclosures

New York Focus – Sam Mellins | Published: 10/15/2024

The Bronx Democratic Party has failed to disclose more than $400,000 in contributions over the past four years, an apparent violation of campaign finance law. A New York Focus review found the state Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee transferred the funds in over a dozen installments, yet those contributions never appeared on the Bronx party’s paperwork.

North Dakota – Ethics Commission May Seek More Protections for Whistleblowers

Yahoo News – Mary Steuer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 10/24/2024

The North Dakota Ethics Commission is considering proposing a new law during the 2025 legislative session to protect whistleblowers. North Dakota already has whistleblower laws, but none explicitly cover the Ethics Commission. Another proposal would specify that the two-year prohibition on lobbying after a public official leaves their office only applies to those who were elected, not those who were appointed.

Oklahoma – Records Conceal Oklahoma Governor’s Aircraft Travel Information in Apparent Flouting of State Law

Yahoo News – Barbara Hoberock (Oklahoma Voice) | Published: 10/7/2024

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and his wife have used a state plane to travel the country, but records conceal the purpose and passengers of many flights, raising questions about why they are not following state law on transparency. While officials blame each other for omissions on the Department of Transportation’s Beechcraft King Air’s flight logs, some legal experts say state law requires users to cite the reason for all flights and to clearly state who is aboard. But the law contains no consequences, such as fines, for noncompliance.

Oregon – Portland Mayoral Candidate Rene Gonzalez Broke Law by Using Taxpayer Money to Edit Wikipedia Page, Auditor Finds

MSN – Jamie Goldberg (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 10/21/2024

Portland Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who is running for mayor, broke campaign finance rules when he used public funds to spruce up his Wikipedia page, the city auditor’s office announced. Chief Deputy Auditor Reed Brodersen wrote that Gonzalez violated the law by using city staff time, money, and services when he paid a company $6,400 this spring to help him highlight that he is a Democrat on his Wikipedia page. The auditor’s office issued Gonzalez a fine of $2,400.

Pennsylvania – A Judge Dismissed a Lawsuit That Ex-Mayoral Candidate Jeff Brown Filed Against the Ethics Board

MSN – Anna Orso (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 10/16/2024

A Philadelphia judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by former mayoral candidate Jeff Brown and a super PAC that spent millions of dollars to back his unsuccessful bid against the city’s Board of Ethics. Brown, as well as the PAC and a related nonprofit, argued the ethics board improperly used its power to undermine his run for mayor last year by publicly accusing him of campaign finance violations in the middle of the race.

Pennsylvania – A GOP Operative Accused a Monastery of Voter Fraud. Nuns Fought Back.

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 10/23/2024

A Republican operative in Pennsylvania falsely suggested to his nearly 58,000 followers on X that no one lived at a monastery in Erie, Pennsylvania, and mail ballots cast from there would be “illegal votes.” But the address Cliff Maloney posted belonged to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, where 55 nuns live full time. In a public statement, Sister Stephanie Schmidt called Maloney’s post, which has been viewed more than 2 million times, “blatantly false,” adding that “a simple web search would alert him to our active presence in a number of ministries in Erie.”

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania High Court Gives Voters Provisional Option If Their Mail Ballots Get Rejected

Yahoo News – Mark Scolforo and Marc Levy (Associated Press) | Published: 10/23/2024

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court said people whose mail ballots are rejected for not following technical procedures in state law can cast provisional ballots, a decision sure to affect some of the thousands of mail-in votes likely to be rejected this fall. The court ruled Butler County’s Republican-majority election board must count provisional ballots that were cast by two voters after they learned their mail-in ballots were voided because they arrived without mandatory secrecy envelopes.

Texas – Whitmire Launches Ethics Investigation into Controller Hollins Over Potential ‘Pay to Play’ Sponsorships

MSN – Mike Morris and Abby Church (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 10/17/2024

The Houston Annual Investor Conference is now in its ninth year, but this year’s event is the first for which sponsorships have been sought, Mayor John Whitmire said. The conference’s website lists sponsorships from $10,000 up to $100,000, with increasing perks for top donors. Whitmire asked the Office of Inspector General to investigate if any city ordinances were violated by the solicitation of sponsorships. He will not attend the conference and called on City Controller Chris Hollins to cancel it.

Virginia – Va.’s AG Accused an Election Worker of Corruption. She’s Suing Him Back.

MSN – Emily Davies (Washington Post) | Published: 10/17/2024

The former head of a Virginia county elections office has sued the state’s attorney general and current and former members of his office, saying they intentionally brought baseless corruption charges against her to further their political agenda and justify the creation of a controversial election integrity unit. The criminal case against Michele White, who was Prince William County’s registrar during the 2020 election, fizzled when Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares dropped the charges weeks before trial.