National/Federal

Election Officials Fear Copycat Attacks as ‘Insider Threats’ Loom
MSN – Zach Montellaro (Politico) | Published: 7/12/2022

Election officials are confronting a wave of threats and security challenges coming from a troubling source: inside the election system itself. In interviews at the National Association of Secretaries of State’s conference, a dozen chief election administrators detailed a growing number of “insider threats” leading to attempted or successful election security breaches aided by local officials. The most prominent was in Colorado, where a county clerk was indicted for her role in facilitating unauthorized access to voting machines. But there have been similar instances elsewhere.

Judge Rejects Bannon’s Bid to Delay Trial, Executive-Privilege Claim
MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 7/11/2022

U.S. District Court Judge Carl Nichols refused to delay Stephen Bannon’s trial after the Justice Department called an offer by the former Trump aide to testify before the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection a “last-ditch attempt to avoid accountability” on charges of criminal contempt of Congress. Bannon was indicted for contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with a subpoena for his testimony and records about his actions leading up to the Capitol riot.

Lindsey Graham Argues Constitution Grants Him ‘Absolute Immunity’ in Georgia Election Interference Probe, a Response One Former Prosecutor Calls ‘Disturbing’
Yahoo News – Charles Davis (Business Insider) | Published: 7/13/2022

Lawyers for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham are arguing that he cannot be forced to testify before a Fulton County grand jury about alleged election interference, claiming he enjoys “absolute immunity” under the Constitution for phone calls he placed to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been investigating efforts by former President Trump and his allies to pressure officials in Georgia to overturn President Biden’s victory.

Michael Flynn Cited for Unauthorized Foreign Payments
MSN – Dan Lamothe and Craig Whitlock (Washington Post) | Published: 7/8/2022

Michael Flynn, the retired Army general and onetime adviser to former President Trump, was cited by the Defense Department inspector general for failing to disclose lucrative speaking engagements and other business arrangements with foreign entities, prompting the U.S. government to pursue tens of thousands of dollars in penalties against him. The Army notified Flynn it would seek to recoup $38,557.06 from him.

Morton’s and Others Brace as Activists Offer Cash for SCOTUS Sightings
Yahoo News – Emily Heil and Tim Carman (Washington Post) | Published: 7/11/2022

The Washington, D.C. location of Morton’s the Steakhouse is the first known restaurant in the city to be dragged into the protests over the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. Justice Brett Kavanaugh was dining there but left via a side door as a handful of protesters gathered outside. The activist group ShutDownDC tweeted it would pay restaurant workers to tip them off if they spot any of the six justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.

‘Operation Higher Court’: Inside the religious right’s efforts to wine and dine Supreme Court justices
Yahoo News – Peter Canellos and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 7/8/2022

Rob Schenck, an evangelical minister who once headed the group Faith and Action, said he arranged for couples to fly to Washington to visit with and entertain Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and the late Antonin Scalia. Schenck said the couples were instructed to use certain phrases to influence the justices while steering clear of the specifics of cases before the court. The calculated nature of Faith and Action’s efforts shows how outside actors can use social activities and expensive dinners to penetrate the court’s highly sealed environment.

Ron Johnson’s $280k Cash Gifts to Chief of Staff and Wife Draw U.S. Senate Ethics Complaint
KPVI – Alexander Shur (Madison.com) | Published: 7/12/2022

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and his wife paid his former chief of staff, Anthony Blando, and Blando’s wife $280,000 in cash gifts while they worked together, an arrangement Democrats say is a breach of Senate rules. The Senate’s ethics rules limit how much congressional aides can be compensated and how much and from whom they can receive gifts. The Johnsons’ cash gifts to Blando appear to follow one guideline allowing aides to receive gifts from senators but appear to clash with another guideline saying cash gifts are not acceptable. They also raise questions about whether they are an attempt to circumvent the compensation limits.

The Fight Over Truth Also Has a Red State, Blue State Divide
Yahoo News – Steven Lee Myers and Cecilia Kang (New York Times) | Published: 7/10/2022

In the absence of action at the federal level, officials in state after state are taking aim at the sources of disinformation and the platforms that propagate them – only they are doing so from starkly divergent ideological positions. In this polarized era, even the fight for truth breaks along partisan lines. The result has been a rush of state bills and legal maneuvers that could reinforce information bubbles in a nation divided over a variety of issues and along geographic lines. The biggest hurdle to new regulations, regardless of the party pushing them, is the First Amendment.

Trump Hid Plan for Capitol March on Day He Marked as ‘Wild’, Panel Says
MSN – Isaac Stanley-Becker and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 7/12/2022

Donald Trump scrawled the words on Twitter that motivated right-wing extremists to seek blood on January 6, 2021, and kept secret a plan to direct his supporters to the Capitol that day, according to evidence and testimony presented at the seventh hearing of the House select committee investigating the riot. The message marked a turning point in Trump’s efforts to stay in power and, in the telling of U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, “would galvanize his followers, unleash a political firestorm and change the course of our history as a country.”

U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Release of Trump Financial Records to House
MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 7/8/2022

A federal appeals court panel ruled House lawmakers can see years of former President Trump’s financial accounting records but narrowed the range of documents Trump must turn over in a long-running legal battle over his compliance with presidential ethics and disclosure laws. Both sides can still appeal the three-judge panel’s ruling. But the decision marked a partial victory for each side over a subpoena issued in 2019 by the House Oversight Committee to Trump’s accounting firm, Mazars USA.

‘Unhinged’: The White House meeting that preceded Trump’s ‘will be wild’ tweet
MSN – Rosalind Helderman and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 7/12/2022

About six weeks after Donald Trump lost his reelection, a fistfight nearly broke out in the White House between the president’s fired national security adviser and a top White House aide. A motley crew of unofficial Trump advisers had talked their way into the Oval Office and an audience with the president to argue the election had been stolen by shadowy foreign powers, perhaps remotely via Nest thermostats. Even for a White House known for its chaos, the December 18, 2020, meeting demonstrated how Trump invited fringe players advocating radical action into his inner sanctum as he searched for a way to remain in office.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama Ethics Commission Says It Doesn’t Have to Share Exculpatory Information with Accused
Yahoo News – Brian Lyman (Montgomery Advertiser) | Published: 7/13/2022

The Alabama Ethics Commission said it did not have to disclose evidence that could potentially clear a person accused of violating state ethics laws during an investigation. The unanimous vote came after a discussion where the state attorney general’s office argued the accused had the right to access such material, and members of the commission raised concerns about its investigatory nature, the potential of discouraging legitimate complaints, and the current wording of the ethics statute.

Arizona – Arizona Activists Want a Vote on Expanding Access to Voting
MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/7/2022

Citing efforts by Arizona’s Republican-controlled Legislature to restrict access to voting, a coalition of advocacy organizations, community groups and volunteers is attempting to expand voting rights in the state through a ballot initiative. The coalition gave state elections officials the signatures of more than 475,000 Arizonans who want to see the issue put to a vote in November. The initiative would also limit the amount of money that lobbyists could spend on special events and travel for lawmakers at $500.

Arkansas – Groups Use Arkansas PACs Loophole to Donate Above Campaign Contribution Limits
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Lisa Hammersly | Published: 7/10/2022

In Arkansas, each PAC can donate the state limit of $2,900, a loophole in state campaign finance laws when one organization fields many PACs, experts say. Disclosure data shows groups of business and political interests and lobbyists with multiple PACs give some favored candidates substantially more in contributions than Arkansas allows for one individual or a group with only one PAC. While Arkansas permits such donations from related PACs, federal election rules and some other states do not.

California – Campaign Finance Reform Efforts in Anaheim Deadlock Again – And Again
Los Angeles Times – Gabriel San Román | Published: 7/13/2022

When the Anaheim City Council debated campaign finance reform for a third meeting in a row, it proved to be anything but a charm. Election spending in Anaheim has come into sharper focus since an FBI probe into former Mayor Harry Sidhu. Councilperson Jose Moreno introduced a bill intended to curb what he called “pay-to-play” politics, but another tie vote by the council sunk the reform effort again.

California – Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do Faces $12,000 State Fine Over ‘Pay to Play’ Politics
Voice of OC – Spencer Custodio and Hosam Elattar | Published: 7/11/2022

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is facing a $12,000 fine for steering lobbyist contracts to his own campaign donors, something the California Fair Political Practices Commission says violates state “pay-to-play” restrictions. FPPC investigators said it happened while Do was serving on the CalOptima board, the agency that oversees the county’s medical insurance plan. The FPPC also found Do violated regulations on a series of behested payments.

Colorado – 3rd Arrest Made in Alleged Colorado Election Security Breach
MSN – Colleen Slevin (Associated Press) | Published: 7/13/2022

The former elections manager for a Colorado clerk indicted on charges of tampering with voting equipment has been arrested on allegations she was part of the scheme. Sandra Brown, who worked for Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, surrendered in response to a warrant issued for her arrest on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation and attempting to influence a public servant. Peters and her chief deputy, Belinda Knisley, are being prosecuted for allegedly allowing a copy of a hard drive to be made during an update of election equipment in May 2021.

Connecticut – A West Haven Official Approved Contracts, Payments for His Family Business
MSN – Andrew Brown (Connecticut Mirror) | Published: 7/12/2022

Robert Bruneau, a city council member and fire commissioner in West Haven, used his elected position as a leader of the West Shore Fire District to authorize contracts and payments for a company owned by his wife and son. Documents show Bruneau, along with his two fellow fire commissioners, approved more than $81,000 in payments to Bruneau’s Garage, which he and his family have owned and operated for more than a decade. Bruneau was also recently singled out in a state audit that examined questionable spending by the West Haven city government.

Connecticut – Wife of Former CT Lawmaker Pleads Guilty in West Haven Theft Case
MSN – Andrew Brown (Connecticut Mirror) | Published: 7/12/2022

Lauren DiMassa, who is now married to former Connecticut Rep. Michael DiMassa, admitted her part in stealing more than $147,000 from the city of West Haven. Records show Michael DiMassa, who served as an assistant to the West Haven City Council, approved 16 payments that went to his future wife. The records show Lauren DiMassa sent invoices to the city and claimed to be performing services under a youth violence prevention grant. She billed for things like meals, equipment, supplies, transportation, personal protective equipment, “counseling,” and “support clinics.”

Florida – Election Issues: Two candidates say Sheriff Ivey tried to get them to drop out, offered jobs in exchange
Yahoo News – Eric Rogers and Bobby Block (Florida Today) | Published: 7/13/2022

For years, a political endorsement by Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been seen by would-be candidates for elected office and many voters in Brevard County as an anointment of approval by the area’s most prominent politician and law enforcement officer. But there is another side to Ivey’s endorsements, some candidates say. According to them, Ivey seeks to control who gets to compete in Brevard elections and who should not. Two candidates this year said Ivey pushed for them to leave the field and throw their support behind his favored candidates. In exchange, they say, Ivey has offered them political jobs worth up to $50,000 a year.

Florida – Lobbyists, Including Former Governor Staff, Push Client for Emergency Management Warehouse Contract
Orlando Sentinel – Jeffrey Schweers | Published: 7/14/2022

Two of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ former top staffers were among the lobbyists that sought to make sure their client was well positioned for a new Emergency Management warehouse and inventory control contract, emails show. The Division of Emergency Management originally planned to bid out the contract itself and asked the Legislature for $75 million to build and retrofit new warehouse space for supplies it was required to purchase for public health emergencies. But it agreed to side-step its normal bidding process after talking to legislative leaders.

Georgia – Limits Set for Lawmaker Testimony in Georgia Election Probe
Yahoo News – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 7/7/2022

Georgia lawmakers appearing before a special grand jury in the investigation into whether former President Trump and others illegally meddled in the state’s 2020 election have broad immunity but can be asked about their conversations with people outside of the Legislature, a judge ruled. A former state lawmaker and Georgia’s lieutenant governor asked the judge to squash subpoenas seeking their testimony before the grand jury, citing legislative privilege and immunity.

Georgia – State Ethics Agency Drops Charges in Abrams Fundraising Probe as Campaign Steams Ahead
Georgia Recorder – Stanley Dunlop | Published: 7/12/2022

Georgia’s ethics commission dismissed two charges against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams connected to her 2018 campaign. The commission’s action was based on documentation showing the Abrams campaign did not illegally receive donations from two supporting organizations, while other forms cleared up questions about an expense charged during her run against Gov. Brian Kemp. It marked the latest development in the wide-spanning investigation into whether the Abrams team coordinated with groups to help her election in 2018.

Hawaii – Prosecutors Want Enhanced Punishment for Public Corruption
Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 7/13/2022

County prosecutors in Hawaii want to see harsher sentences for public officials who try to defraud the government and are calling for better resources to investigate such crimes. The Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct, a group tasked with beefing up government standards and ethics, heard from FBI agents, former state attorneys general, and county prosecutors during a forum to generate more ideas to crack down on public corruption in Hawaii.

Illinois – Ex-Cook County Official Patrick Doherty Pleads Guilty to Several Corruption Schemes
Chicago Sun-Times – Jon Seidel | Published: 7/13/2022

Patrick Doherty, a former high-ranking Cook County official, admitted to a wide-ranging set of corruption schemes totaling $148,000 that involved the late Illinois Sen. Martin Sandoval and ex-Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski. Doherty was originally hit with three bribery counts for his work as a sales agent for SafeSpeed. Prosecutors then expanded the indictment, he also schemed with Tobolski, who doubled as mayor of McCook, as well as Sandoval, who served as chair of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee.

Kentucky – Gov. Beshear Scores Victory Against GOP Effort to Strip His Power Over Ethics Commission
MSN – Joe Sonka (Louisville Courier-Journal) | Published: 7/12/2022

A judge sided with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in his lawsuit to block a new law shifting the governor’s appointment power with the Executive Branch Ethics Commission to other Republican constitutional officers. Jefferson Circuit Court Judge McKay Chauvin granted Beshear’s motion for a summary judgment to permanently block House Bill 334 because it violates the state constitution. Under the new law, the commission’s members are increased to seven by reducing the governor’s appointees to just two, while also granting one appointment each to five other constitutional officers.

Louisiana – Ethics Board: Oliver Thomas can’t be paid by WBOK while station takes city money
New Orleans Advocate – Jeff Adelson and Mark Ballard | Published: 7/8/2022

The Louisiana Board of Ethics formally approved an opinion that would bar New Orleans City Councilperson Oliver Thomas from continuing to be paid for his talk show on WBOK as long as the radio station continues to receive city money for advertising. In reaching their decision, ethics board staff cited state laws prohibiting elected officials from working for companies that receive revenues from the government they work for.

Michigan – Ex-State Rep. Inman Can [Face] Bribery, Extortion Charges Again, Court Rules
Detroit News – Hayley Harding | Published: 7/10/2022

Former Michigan Rep. Larry Inman can face a new trial after a federal appeals court reversed a lower court’s decision to dismiss bribery and extortion charges. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jonker ruled in 2021 that Inman’s constitutional rights to speech would be violated and to retry him could be barred by the double jeopardy clause of the Constitution if he faced another trial on charges of soliciting a bribe and attempted extortion. The ruling means Inman can face trial for allegedly trying to get union lobbyists to buy his 2018 vote on repealing the state’s prevailing wage law.

Michigan – Secretary of State Benson’s Husband Registered to Lobby for Billionaire’s Company
Detroit News – Craig Mauger | Published: 7/8/2022

The husband of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who ran for office vowing to reform Michigan’s lobbying laws, is now a registered lobbyist himself. Ryan Friedrichs registered to lobby on June 29, according to a database maintained by the secretary of state’s office, which oversees lobbyists’ fillings. Friedrichs is one of three lobbyists in the state working on behalf of Related Companies, a New York-based real estate firm.

Minnesota – Campaign Finance Board Finds Probable Cause in Action 4 Liberty Case
Minnesota Reformer – Baylor Spears | Published: 7/13/2022

The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board found probable cause that the right-wing activist group Action 4 Liberty, which has been working to boost allies in upcoming Republican primaries, violated state campaign law. The board alleges the group made illegal corporate campaign donations to gubernatorial candidate Neil Shah and failed to report the contributions. The determination comes after a complaint to the board said certain Action 4 Liberty-connected emails mentioned Shah, which constituted an endorsement.

Montana – Ninth Circuit Decision Takes Issue with Montana Rule Defining ‘Political Committees’
Fairfield Sun Times – Sam Wilson (Helena Independent Record) | Published: 7/7/2022

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found a portion of Montana’s law defining political committees is unconstitutionally vague in the case of Ed Butcher, a former Republican state lawmaker who maintains Legistats, a website that grades GOP legislators on party loyalty. The appeals court stopped short of striking down the administrative rule, which governs whether political spending in Montana needs to be reported and sent the case back to a lower court.

New York – Hochul’s Vow to Fix Albany’s Culture Finds an Unexpected Foe: Herself
News Networks – Jay Root (New York Times) | Published: 7/11/2022

In Albany, billions of taxpayer dollars can be directed, redirected, or shut off in negotiations far from public view. Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed to change that culture, promising “a new era of transparency,” including an ethics watchdog agency with “real teeth.” Yet as Hochul faces the November election, her promises of transparency and a changed culture appeared to have fallen short.

New York – NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Got OK from Conflicts Board on Contracts with Nonprofits Tied to Wife’s Group
MSN – Michael Gartland and Clayton Guse (New York Daily News) | Published: 7/6/2022

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said he asked for guidance and got the go-ahead from the Conflicts of Interest Board for his office’s review of contracts with nonprofits tied to a group run by his wife. Lander sought the advice a day after The New York Daily News reported dozens of nonprofits that have contracts with the city are also members of Meg Barnette’s group, Nonprofit New York. Since January, when Lander took office, nonprofits tied to the group have gotten contracts totaling at least $544 million from the city.

New York – Report: Cuomo’s office ‘overpowered’ ethics watchdog in book approval
Spectrum News – Mick Reisman | Published: 7/7/2022

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office “overpowered” staff at the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) to win approval of a multimillion-dollar book deal for the then-governor, according to a report from JCOPE. The vote to release the report is expected to be one of JCOPE’s final acts after lawmakers voted to create a new commission to oversee lobbying and ethics. The sole vote against releasing the report was by Commissioner William Fisher, the remaining Cuomo appointee on the panel.

North Dakota – North Dakota Ethics Panel Chooses Next Executive Director
Bismarck Tribune – Jack Dura | Published: 7/12/2022

The North Dakota Ethics Commission selected Rebecca Binstock as its next executive director, replacing Dave Thiele. Binstock is a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland. She will begin her new job in September.

Ohio – ‘Green Energy’ Initiative Leader Gets 120 Days in Jail for False Campaign Finance Report
MSN – Jordan Laird (Columbus Dispatch) | Published: 7/12/2022

A Franklin County judge described the ongoing effort to put a “green energy” initiative on the Columbus ballot as an illegitimate attempt to steal taxpayer money when he sentenced its leader to 120 days in jail for filing a false campaign finance report in 2019. The judge also sentenced John Clark Jr. to pay a $2,500 fine. Clark has led multiple petition drives in recent years to get a “green energy” initiative put on the ballot that, if any had passed, would have diverted more than $40 million of taxpayer money toward ProEnergy Ohio, a limited partnership group led by Clark.

Ohio – PG Sittenfeld Found Guilty of Bribery and Extortion, Not Guilty on Other Four Charges
WCPO – Paula Christian, Felicia Jordan, and Taylor Weiter | Published: 7/8/2022

Former Cincinnati City Councilperson P.G. Sittenfeld was convicted on federal charges of bribery and attempted extortion but was acquitted on four other counts. He could face two to three years in prison. Sittenfeld faced allegations that he agreed to accept $40,000 in payments to his PAC to “deliver the votes” in the city council for a proposed real estate development. He had been considered a top contender to run for mayor before he was indicted in 2020.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Commission Fines PAC [$62,750]
Center Square – Kim Jarrett | Published: 7/8/2022

A PAC that worked to get Republicans elected to the state Senate will pay a $62,750 penalty, according to a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. The Republican Senatorial Committee agreed to pay $37,750 for impermissible contributions it accepted, as well as a $25,000 civil penalty. The commission also ordered the PAC to dissolve within 60 days.

Rhode Island – AG Reviewing Prov. Council Candidate’s Campaign Finances
MSN – Steven Machado (WPRI) | Published: 7/7/2022

A candidate for Providence City Council was referred to the stet attorney general’s office for possible prosecution following a series of campaign finance violations. The Rhode Island Board of Elections voted to refer Gerard Catala to prosecutors after auditing his campaign account and finding more than $7,000 worth of spending that was not accounted for on his disclosure reports.

Washington – Seattle Foundation Cops to Eight Campaign Finance Violations, Pays a Fine
Big Country News – Brett Davis (Center Square) | Published: 7/8/2022

The Seattle Foundation acknowledged a total of eight violations of campaign disclosure and contribution laws and paid a fine of $1,000. A complaint alleged the foundation failed to register and report in timely fashion as an “incidental committee” in 2019 and 2020 regarding a $50,000 contribution by Yes for Transit, a $50,000 donation from the Washington Fairness Coalition, and a $50,000 contribution from Keep Washington Rolling. Under state law, a nonprofit entity may be required to register as an incidental committee and disclose the top 10 donors whose contributions aggregate to $10,000 or more in the calendar year.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Supreme Court Disallows Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes
Yahoo News – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 7/8/2022

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that absentee ballot drop boxes may be placed only in election offices and no one other than the voter can return a ballot in person, dealing a defeat to Democrats who said the decision would make it harder to vote in the battleground state. The court did not address whether anyone other than the voter can return his or her own ballot by mail. That means that anyone could still collect multiple ballots for voters and, instead of using a drop box, put them in the mail.

Campaign Finance

Georgia: “State Ethics Agency Drops Charges in Abrams Fundraising Probe as Campaign Steams Ahead” by Stanley Dunlop for Georgia Recorder

Minnesota: “Campaign Finance Board Finds Probable Cause in Action 4 Liberty Case” by Baylor Spears for Minnesota Reformer

Washington: “Seattle Foundation Cops to Eight Campaign Finance Violations, Pays a Fine” by Brett Davis (Center Square) for Big Country News

Elections

National: “Election Officials Fear Copycat Attacks as ‘Insider Threats’ Loom” by Zach Montellaro (Politico) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Judge Rejects Bannon’s Bid to Delay Trial, Executive-Privilege Claim” by Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) for MSN

Alabama: “Alabama Ethics Commission Says It Doesn’t Have to Share Exculpatory Information with Accused” by Brian Lyman (Montgomery Advertiser) for Yahoo News

Illinois: “Ex-Cook County Official Patrick Doherty Pleads Guilty to Several Corruption Schemes” by Jon Seidel for Chicago Sun-Times

New York: “Hochul’s Vow to Fix Albany’s Culture Finds an Unexpected Foe: Herself” by Jay Root (New York Times) for News Networks

Campaign Finance

Arkansas: “Groups Use Arkansas PACs Loophole to Donate Above Campaign Contribution Limits” by Lisa Hammersly for Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission Fines PAC [$62,750]” by Kim Jarrett for Center Square

Ethics

National: “The Fight Over Truth Also Has a Red State, Blue State Divide” by Steven Lee Myers and Cecilia Kang (New York Times) for Yahoo News

National: “U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Release of Trump Financial Records to House” by Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) for MSN

Michigan: “Ex-State Rep. Inman Can [Face] Bribery, Extortion Charges Again, Court Rules” by Hayley Harding for Detroit News

Ohio: “PG Sittenfeld Found Guilty of Bribery and Extortion, Not Guilty on Other Four Charges” by Paula Christian, Felicia Jordan, and Taylor Weiter for WCPO

Lobbying

National: “‘Operation Higher Court’: Inside the religious right’s efforts to wine and dine Supreme Court justices” by Peter Canellos and Josh Gerstein (Politico) for Yahoo News

New York: “NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Got OK from Conflicts Board on Contracts with Nonprofits Tied to Wife’s Group” by Michael Gartland and Clayton Guse (New York Daily News) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Montana: “Ninth Circuit Decision Takes Issue with Montana Rule Defining ‘Political Committees’” by Sam Wilson (Helena Independent Record) for Fairfield Sun Times

Rhode Island: “AG Reviewing Prov. Council Candidate’s Campaign Finances” by Steven Machado (WPRI) for MSN

Elections

Arizona: “Arizona Activists Want a Vote on Expanding Access to Voting” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) for MSN

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Supreme Court Disallows Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Michael Flynn Cited for Unauthorized Foreign Payments” by Dan Lamothe and Craig Whitlock (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “Report: Cuomo’s office ‘overpowered’ ethics watchdog in book approval” by Mick Reisman for Spectrum News

Legislative Issues

Georgia: “Limits Set for Lawmaker Testimony in Georgia Election Probe” by Kate Brumback (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

Michigan: “Secretary of State Benson’s Husband Registered to Lobby for Billionaire’s Company” by Craig Mauger for Detroit News

National/Federal

A Trump-Appointed Official Who Gets an Important Vote on Whether Trump Broke Election Laws Spoke at a Texas GOP Event Where He Was Billed as a Part of the ‘Trump Elections Team’
MSN – Madison Hall | Published: 6/30/2022

FEC member Trey Trainor, who was appointed by Donald Trump, spoke at a Republican-sponsored “election integrity” event in Texas in November 2021. The event’s host advertised Trainor as a “Trump Elections Team” member. In a series of Facebook ads promoting Trainor’s appearance, the Denton County Republican Party made no mention of his service on the FEC. Trainor, who regularly votes on Trump-related cases, said he was not aware of his billing. Several campaign finance experts, including former FEC members, expressed concern about a commissioner involving himself or herself in overtly partisan activities.

Amazon, Disney, AT&T Gave to Abortion Foes Like DeSantis While Vowing to Help Employees
MSN – Ike Swetlitz and Spencer Soper (Business Insider) | Published: 6/30/2022

Amazon, AT&T, and Walt Disney Co. have said they will help cover travel costs for employees who need care that is not available where they live. At the same time, records show the companies or company affiliates have financially supported leaders who are trying to reduce access to abortions. Governors Bill Lee of Tennessee, Greg Abbott of Texas, Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, and Ron DeSantis of Florida – Republicans seeking to limit abortion rights – each received contributions from at least one of the companies or associated PACs before the court’s decision. Aside from Youngkin each are facing re-election fights this year.

Comey and McCabe, Two Trump Foes, Both Faced Intensive IRS Audits
Mineapolis Star Tribune – Michael Schmidt (New York Timer) | Published: 7/6/2022

The odds of being selected for the most invasive type of random audit carried out by the IRS in any given year are tiny – roughly one out of 30,600. One of the few who were subjected to such an audit James Comey, who had been fired as FBI director in 2017 by then-President Trump. Among those who were chosen to have their 2019 returns scrutinized was the man who had been Comey’s deputy at the bureau: Andrew McCabe, who served several months as acting FBI director after Comey’s firing. It is illegal under federal law for anyone in the executive branch, with a few narrow exceptions, to request the IRS conduct an audit of someone’s taxes.

Despite Rebukes, Trump’s Legal Brigade Is Thriving
Yahoo News – Heidi Pryzbyla (Politico) | Published: 7/5/2022

Sixteen lawyers who represented plaintiffs in five lawsuits promoting Donald Trump’s baseless election fraud claims in the battlegrounds of Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Arizona remain in good standing or have no record of disciplinary action with their respective bar associations or licensing authorities. Fourteen of them have since engaged in additional work in support of the election fraud conspiracies or conspiracists behind Trump’s attempt to remain in power despite losing the election to President Biden. Critics say those who helped legitimize the former president’s lies should not be allowed to use it as a foundation to build their legal practices.

How Trump World Pressures Witnesses to Deny His Possible Wrongdoing
MSN – Rosalind Helderman, Josh Dawsey, and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 6/30/2022

Evidence across multiple state, federal, and congressional investigations points to a similar pattern: Donald Trump and his allies privately shower potential witnesses with flattery and attention, extending vague assurances that staying loyal to Trump would be better than crossing him. Meanwhile, Trump publicly blasts those who offer testimony against him in personal terms, offering a clear example to others of the consequences of stepping out of line. U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney said such messages had been received by witnesses who have testified for the House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Jan. 6 Panel Secures Deal for Cipollone to Be Interviewed
MSN – Maggie Haberman and Luke Broadwater (New York Times) | Published: 7/6/2022

Pat Cipollone, the White House counsel to former President Trump who repeatedly fought Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, reached a deal to be interviewed by July 8 before the House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The agreement was a breakthrough for the panel, which has pressed for weeks for Cipollone to cooperate – and issued a subpoena to him recently – believing he could provide crucial testimony. Cipollone will sit for a videotaped, transcribed interview. He is not expected to testify publicly.

Members of Congress Call for an Investigation of Intuit’s Lobbying Practices Amid Mounting TurboTax Controversies
OpenSecrets – Anna Massoglia | Published: 6/30/2022

Members of Congress are calling for an investigation of Intuit, the company that owns TurboTax, after it failed to adequately respond to questions from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in an April letter citing OpenSecrets’ reporting on the tax preparation company’s lobbying. Following scrutiny of the company’s lobbying and escalating tensions around its marketing practices, members of Congress are calling for an investigation into what they describe as Intuit’s “revolving door scheme.” Warren accused the company of “extensive lobbying and adroit influence peddling” and requested a response to questions about their activities.

New FEC Complaint Alleges Gun Manufacturing Company Violated Federal Contractor Contribution Ban
OpenSecrets – Taylor Giorno | Published: 7/1/2022

The Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the FEC alleging Ohio Ordinance Works, a gun manufacturer, donated $100,000 to a super PAC, Club for Growth Action, while performing federal contracts. Federal campaign finance law bars federal contractors from contributing to any political committees while negotiating or performing contracts. USASpending.gov, the open data source for federal contracts, lists two active contracts valued at $4.2 million and $39,600 at the time of the donation.

Questions Arise Over Warnock’s Use of Campaign Funds to Fight Lawsuit
Politico – Natalie Allison | Published: 7/6/2022

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock used campaign money to cover legal expenses for a lawsuit relating to his time as a church minister, transactions that raise questions about whether the spending runs afoul of federal rules governing personal use of campaign funds. Warnock’s unique situation presents a gray area because the allegations dating back 17 years do not involve him being a member of Congress or a candidate for office. The senator’s campaign maintains the use of campaign money was permissible because the second lawsuit was filed while Warnock was in office.

Republican States Are Trying to Use Federal Covid Aid to Cut Taxes
MSN – Tony Romm (Washington Post) | Published: 7/5/2022

More than a year after Congress approved a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, Republicans in nearly two dozen states have increased efforts to tap some of those funds for an unrelated purpose: paying for tax cuts. The moves have threatened to siphon off aid that might otherwise help states fight the pandemic, shore up their local economies, or prepare for a potential recession. At the urging of the nation’s mayors and governors, Congress delivered what largely amounted to a blank check for every city and state to bolster their budgets. Congress ultimately laid down few conditions for how local leaders could use the pot of money.

SCOTUS Justices ‘Prayed With’ Her – Then Cited Her Bosses to End Roe
Yahoo News – Kara Voght and Tim Dickinson (Rolling Stone) | Published: 7/6/2022

At an evangelical victory party in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to celebrate the downfall of Roe v. Wade, a prominent Capitol Hill religious leader, Peggy Nienaber, was caught on a hot mic claiming she prays with sitting justices inside the high court. This disclosure was a serious matter on its own terms, but it also suggested a major conflict-of-interest. Nienaber’s ministry’s umbrella organization, Liberty Counsel, frequently brings lawsuits before the Supreme Court. The majority in Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health cited an amicus brief authored by Liberty Counsel in its ruling.

Supreme Court Marshal Presses Md., Va. Leaders to Stop Home Protests
MSN – Jasmine Hilton and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 7/2/2022

The U.S. Supreme Court’s chief security officer requested that Maryland and Virginia officials move to halt protests outside the homes of justices. In his letters, the marshal cited Maryland law, which states that a “person may not intentionally assemble with another in a manner that disrupts a person’s right to tranquility in the person’s home.” Some officials said federal law enforcement should respond to the court’s concerns, while others cast the directive as unconstitutional. Police officials said they worked to keep justices safe while respecting the First Amendment rights of demonstrators.

Canada

Canada – Democracy Watch and Other Groups Rally Support for Campaign Against ‘Unethical’ Lobbying Changes
Yahoo News – Cloe Logan (National Observer) | Published: 7/6/2022

A lobbyist who works on a politician’s election campaign in Canada cannot contact them for a full election cycle afterwards. Lobbying commissioner Nancy Bélanger’s reform proposals would make that period two years for lobbyists who work closely with a candidate and one year for lobbyists who are less involved in the campaign. Bélanger has suggested a slew of other shifts to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct, including more stringent rules around gift-giving. Democracy Watch, Climate Action Network and other groups sent a joint letter to Bélanger voicing concern over the reforms.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Justice Dept. Sues Arizona Over Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote
MSN – David Nakamura and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/5/2022

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit challenging an Arizona law that requires voters in presidential elections to show proof of citizenship, setting up a fight over a provision similar to one the U.S. Supreme Court called unconstitutional in 2013. State Republicans, who passed the new measure on a party-line vote, said the law is a safeguard against voter fraud, which supporters of then-President Trump falsely claimed was a factor in him losing the state to President Biden in 2020. Arizona’s attorney general said in April his office found no evidence of any irregularities that would have affected the presidential election.

Arizona – The FBI Subpoenaed Karen Fann and Kelly Townsend for Information on the January 6 Insurrection
Arizona Mirror – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Published: 6/30/2022

Arizona Senate President Karen Fann and state Sen. Kelly Townsend were subpoenaed by the FBI for an on-going investigation into former President Trump’s alleged pressure campaign on state officials to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. The subpoenas follow a string of other subpoenas to other high profile Arizona politicians who have found themselves enmeshed in election fraud claims and other legal battles. The document at the heart of the matter involves 11 Arizona Republicans who met at the state party headquarters to falsely declare themselves the state’s official presidential electors.

California – Ethics Commission Considers How to Tighten Lobbying Rules in Long Beach
Long Beach Post – Jason Ruiz | Published: 6/30/2022

The Long Beach Ethics Commission discussed potentially tightening the city’s lobbying ordinance by requiring elected officials to report their contacts with lobbyists, changing who has to register as a lobbyist, and adjusting how often they have to file disclosures. Earlier this year, commissioners started reviewing the 12-year-old law, which, thus far, has never been used to charge anyone with violating lobbying rules.

Connecticut – Consultant on New London Pier Project Fined $10,000 by State Ethics Office
MSN – Keith Phaneuf (CT Mirror) | Published: 7/5/2022

Seabury Maritime, a consulting and investment firm, will pay $10,000 in fines for providing Connecticut Port Authority board members and employees with gifts valued at more than $3,100, according to an order from the Office of State Ethics. Seabury Maritime provided some of those gifts while pursuing a business relationship with the authority, and others after securing a contract to help find an operator for State Pier in New London. Peter Lewandowski, executive director of the Office of State Ethics, said the agency would “forcefully prosecute” violations of ethics rules regarding gifts.

Delaware – Jury Returns Verdict in Delaware Auditor Kathy McGuiness Criminal Corruption Case
Yahoo News – Xerxes Wilson (Delaware News Journal) | Published: 7/1/2022

A jury found Delaware Auditor Kathy McGuiness guilty of three public corruption misdemeanors. Each carries the potential for one year of imprisonment. The jury returned not-guilty verdicts for the two felonies she faced, theft and witness intimidation. McGuiness becomes the first statewide-elected official to be both criminally charged and found guilty of a crime while in office Earlier this year, McGuiness filed to run for reelection. After the verdict, she said she will continue her campaign.

Florida – Ethics Commission Attorneys Recommend That Doug Underhill Be Removed from Office
Yahoo News – Jim Little (Pensacola News Journal) | Published: 7/6/2022

Attorneys for the Florida Commission on Ethics recommended that Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill be removed from office. Attorneys for both sides in the case submitted proposed recommended orders for Administrative Law Judge Garnett Chisenhall to consider as the final order in the case. Underhill’s own attorney said Underhill violated two sections of Florida’s ethics law related to failing to disclose gifts from a lobbyist and failure to report a gift over $100. The state ethics attorney said Underhill was guilty of all seven alleged ethics violations and should be removed.

Florida – State University Faculty, Students to Be Surveyed on Beliefs
Tampa Bay Times – Ana Ceballos (Miami Herald) | Published: 6/22/2022

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that will require public universities and colleges to survey students, faculty, and staff about their beliefs and viewpoints to support “intellectual diversity.” The measure, which went into effect July 1, does not specify what will be done with the results. But DeSantis and state Sen. Ray Rodrigues, the sponsor of the bill, suggested on budget cuts could be looming if universities and colleges are found to be “indoctrinating” students. Democratic lawmakers also have argued the law might allow politicians to meddle in, monitor, and regulate speech on campus in the future.

Florida – Upgrade: Miami-Dade mayor’s free Qatar trip was pricier than first disclosed
MSN – Douglas Hanks (Miami Herald) | Published: 7/1/2022

The free airline tickets Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava accepted for a complimentary tour of Qatar were more expensive than the amount her office disclosed five weeks ago. Her office had said the round-trip airline tickets provided by the monarchy’s U.S. embassy were valued at about $1,400. But a recent gift disclosure form shows the ticket actually was worth $8,750.

Georgia – 7 Trump Allies Subpoenaed in Georgia Criminal Investigation
Seattle Times – Danny Hakim (New York Times) | Published: 7/5/2022

Seven advisers and allies of Donald Trump, including Rudy Giuliani and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, were subpoenaed in the ongoing criminal investigation in Georgia of election interference by Trump and his associates. The move was the latest sign the investigation has entangled prominent members of Trump’s orbit and may cloud the future for the former president himself. The subpoenas underscore the breadth of the investigation being conducted by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Hawaii – Former State Lawmaker English Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Federal Prison
Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 7/5/2022

A former Hawaii senator was sentenced to 40 months in prison and fined $100,000 for taking bribes in exchange for influencing legislation while in office. Former Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud in February, admitting he accepted bribes from a local business owner in exchange for shaping legislation that would benefit a company involved in publicly financed wastewater conversion projects. Former state Rep. Ty Cullen pleaded guilty to the same charge in a related case and will be sentenced in October.

Idaho – People’s Pen Publication Under Investigation by Idaho AG for Alleged Sunshine Law Violation
Idaho Capital Sun – Kelcie Moseley-Morris | Published: 6/30/2022

The Idaho Attorney General’s office is investigating a publication called The People’s Pen after a complaint alleged it is not a newspaper, but an electioneering piece produced and paid for by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee. Under Idaho law, newspapers are exempt from what is considered electioneering communications or independent expenditures during elections, meaning a news outlet can publish editorials and endorsements or other commentary about candidates and the communications do not need to be reported to the secretary of state’s office. A newspaper is not exempt if it is owned or controlled by a political party or candidate.

Illinois – Cook County Assessor’s Employee Charged with Taking Sports Tickets, Home Improvements in Exchange for Assessment Reductions
MSN – Staff (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/6/2022

An employee of the Cook County assessor’s office was charged with conspiring to accept gifts in exchange for reductions in assessments for commercial properties, the U.S. attorney’s office announced. Lavdim Memisovski was accused of accepting “home improvement materials, home improvement services, jewelry, meals, sporting event tickets” and other items in exchange for the reductions, according to court documents.

Kentucky – Mystery Attack Mailers in Kentucky Republican Primaries Tied to Ohio Dark Money Network
Cincinnati.com – Joe Sonka (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 7/5/2022

A mystery group that reported spending more than $80,000 on ads in Kentucky House Republican primaries this year revealed one of its representatives, an Ohio man tied to a “dark money” network that has spent millions of dollars in GOP primaries. Tyler Conner identified himself as a representative of Commonwealth Conservatives LLC in a letter to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, responding to complaints accusing the group of violating state campaign finance laws. Conner is director of Prosperity Alliance Inc., a 501(c)(4) that is allowed to spend less than half of its funds on political activities without revealing any of its donors.

Missouri – New Missouri Law Shields Nonprofit Donor Identities, Allows LLCs to Give to Candidates
Missouri Independent – Tessa Weinberg | Published: 7/5/2022

A bill signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson will shield nonprofits from being forced to disclose their donors to government agencies and allow for certain limited liability companies to contribute to candidates. The Missouri Ethics Commission will be able to subpoena the information about donors during an investigation.

New York – Office of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Approves More Than $500M in Contracts to Non-Profits with Ties to Wife’s Group
MSN – Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) | Published: 7/5/2022

The New York City comptroller’s office under Brad Lander approved at least $544 million in city business with more than 35 nonprofits that are members of an umbrella organization Lander’s wife, Meg Barnette, oversees as chief executive officer of Nonprofit New York. Lander’s spokesperson, Naomi Dann, described Nonprofit New York as a trade association that had a relationship with the comptroller’s office before Lander took the job. The group “advocates for the nonprofit industry as a whole,” she said. Dann said while that means every nonprofit makes up its constituency in a sense, none are represented directly in Nonprofit New York’s dealings with the city.

New York – U.S. Supreme Court to Take Up Case of Ex-Cuomo Aide Joseph Percoco
Gothamist – Jon Campbell | Published: 6/30/3022

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments from Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo who was convicted on corruption charges, and consider whether private citizens can be convicted of depriving the public of their honest services. The justices will also consider the constitutionality of the conviction of SUNY Polytechnic Institute founder Alain Kaloyeros in the “Buffalo Billion” bid-rigging case. The court agreed to consider the “right to control” theory under which Kaloyeros was found guilty.

North Carolina – Democracy Advocates Raise Alarm After Supreme Court Takes Election Case
MSN – Colby Itkowitz and Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) | Published: 7/1/2022

Voting rights advocates expressed alarm a day after the U.S. Supreme Court said it will consider a conservative legal theory giving state legislatures virtually unchecked power over federal elections, warning it could erode basic tenets of American democracy. The idea, known as the “independent legislature theory,” represents to some theorists a literal reading of the Constitution. But in its most far-reaching interpretation, it could cut governors and state courts out of the decision-making process on election laws while giving state lawmakers free rein to change rules to favor their own party.

Ohio – Citing Inflation, Akron Proposes Increasing Campaign Contribution Limits
Yahoo Finance – Abbey Marshall (Report for America) | Published: 7/3/2022

The Akron City Council is considering legislation that would increase campaign contribution limits for mayoral and council races. The measure comes in response to rising costs, said the bill’s sponsor, and council Vice President Jeff Fusco. Since campaign contributions were last addressed in 2014, inflation has risen nearly 25 percent.

Oregon – A Measure to Curb Legislative Walkouts Has Qualified for Oregon’s November Ballot
OPB – Dirk VanderHart | Published: 7/5/2022

Oregon voters will have an opportunity to change the state constitution this November to discourage walkouts by lawmakers that have become an increasingly prominent feature of state politics. Elections officials said an effort to prevent the tactic, often used by the state’s Republican minority in recent years, has qualified for the general election ballot. Under the initiative, lawmakers would be barred from seeking re-election if they have 10 or more unexcused absences in a legislative session.

Texas – These Dallas Judges Owe Thousands in Fines for Not Reporting Campaign Donors
MSN – Krista Torralva (Dallas Morning News) | Published: 7/3/2022

A Dallas County candidate who will take over a judicial bench in January owes more than $42,000 to the state for continually failing to report her campaign donors throughout multiple bids for office. Marilynn Mayse owes the second-highest amount on the Texas Ethics Commission’s list of delinquent filers. Judicial candidates must regularly report their campaign fundraising to the commission. But a weak enforcement system means candidates face few penalties for failing to report who is giving them money and how much.

Texas – Voter Fraud Claims Are Heating Up a Battle for Political Control in an Oil-Rich Texas County
NBC News – Susan Carroll | Published: 7/1/2022

Loving County, Texas, is the least populated county in the continental U.S. Voter registration has been suspiciously high for generations, driven by feuds among a handful of families fighting for control of the local government. The voter registration roll lists 97 people, according to the Texas secretary of state, but the Census Bureau estimates only 57 people live there. Elections often come down to tiny margins, but the stakes are high. The county sits atop some of the richest oil and gas reserves in the country, generating a tax base that has hovered around $7 billion to $9 billion. Salaries for top elected officials are in the six figures.

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “New Missouri Law Shields Nonprofit Donor Identities, Allows LLCs to Give to Candidates” by Tessa Weinberg for Missouri Independent

Texas: “These Dallas Judges Owe Thousands in Fines for Not Reporting Campaign Donors” by Krista Torralva (Dallas Morning News) for MSN

Elections

Arizona: “Justice Dept. Sues Arizona Over Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote” by David Nakamura and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) for MSN

Georgia: “7 Trump Allies Subpoenaed in Georgia Criminal Investigation” by Danny Hakim (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Ethics

National: “Supreme Court Marshal Presses Md., Va. Leaders to Stop Home Protests” by Jasmine Hilton and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Jan. 6 Panel Secures Deal for Cipollone to Be Interviewed” by Maggie Haberman and Luke Broadwater (New York Times) for MSN

Connecticut: “Consultant on New London Pier Project Fined $10,000 by State Ethics Office” by Keith Phaneuf (CT Mirror) for MSN

Hawaii: “Former State Lawmaker English Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Federal Prison” by Blaze Lovell for Honolulu Civil Beat

Legislative Issues

Oregon: “A Measure to Curb Legislative Walkouts Has Qualified for Oregon’s November Ballot” by Dirk VanderHart for OPB

Lobbying

Canada: “Democracy Watch and Other Groups Rally Support for Campaign Against ‘Unethical’ Lobbying Changes” by Cloe Logan (National Observer) for Yahoo News

Missouri Gov. Parson signed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2400 permitting certain limited liability companies (LLCs) to make campaign contributions to political committees.

To qualify, the LLC must elect not to be classified as a corporation under federal law; be in existence for at least one year prior to making contributions; and must submit a form to the Missouri Ethics Commission indicating the LLC is a legitimate business and not created for the sole purpose of making campaign contributions.

The bill also bars public agencies from requiring nonprofits to share the identities of donors, volunteers or supporters.

The bill is effective August 28, 2022.

Campaign Finance

Idaho: “People’s Pen Publication Under Investigation by Idaho AG for Alleged Sunshine Law Violation” by Kelcie Moseley-Morris for Idaho Capital Sun

Ohio: “Citing Inflation, Akron Proposes Increasing Campaign Contribution Limits” by Abbey Marshall (Report for America) for Yahoo Finance

Ethics

National: “Despite Rebukes, Trump’s Legal Brigade Is Thriving” by Heidi Pryzbyla (Politico) for Yahoo News

Delaware: “Jury Returns Verdict in Delaware Auditor Kathy McGuiness Criminal Corruption Case” by Xerxes Wilson (Delaware News Journal) for Yahoo News

Florida: “Upgrade: Miami-Dade mayor’s free Qatar trip was pricier than first disclosed” by Douglas Hanks (Miami Herald) for MSN

New York: “Office of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Approves More Than $500M in Contracts to Non-Profits with Ties to Wife’s Group” by Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “Republican States Are Trying to Use Federal Covid Aid to Cut Taxes” by Tony Romm (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “Members of Congress Call for an Investigation of Intuit’s Lobbying Practices Amid Mounting TurboTax Controversies” by Anna Massoglia for OpenSecrets

Akron City Council Vice President Jeff Fusco introduced an ordinance to increase contribution limits for city candidates.

The ordinance increases contribution limits for individuals giving to mayor and at-large council candidates from $750 to $1,000 per election and increases individual limits for ward council candidates from $500 to $750 per election.

The ordinance allows city candidates to accept campaign contributions or loans of up to $2,500 from any political party or PAC.

If passed, the ordinance would be effective immediately.

Public hearings on the ordinance have been scheduled for July 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Campaign Finance

National: “Amazon, Disney, AT&T Gave to Abortion Foes Like DeSantis While Vowing to Help Employees” by Ike Swetlitz and Spencer Soper (Business Insider) for MSN

National: “A Trump-Appointed Official Who Gets an Important Vote on Whether Trump Broke Election Laws Spoke at a Texas GOP Event Where He Was Billed as a Part of the ‘Trump Elections Team’” by Madison Hall (Business Insider) for MSN

Elections

Arizona: “The FBI Subpoenaed Karen Fann and Kelly Townsend for Information on the January 6 Insurrection” by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy for Arizona Mirror

North Carolina: “Supreme Court to Review State Legislatures’ Power in Federal Elections” by Robert Barnes (Washington Post) for MSN

Texas: “Voter Fraud Claims Are Heating Up a Battle for Political Control in an Oil-Rich Texas County” by Susan Carroll for NBC News

Ethics

National: “How Trump World Pressures Witnesses to Deny His Possible Wrongdoing” by Rosalind Helderman, Josh Dawsey, and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “U.S. Supreme Court to Take Up Case of Ex-Cuomo Aide Joseph Percoco” by Jon Campbell for Gothamist

Lobbying

California: “Ethics Commission Considers How to Tighten Lobbying Rules in Long Beach” by Jason Ruiz for Long Beach Post

National/Federal

Cassidy Hutchinson’s Testimony Highlights Legal Risks for Trump
Yahoo News – Alan Feuer and Glenn Thrush (New York Times) | Published: 6/29/2022

The extent to which the Justice Department’s expanding criminal inquiry into the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is focused on Donald Trump remains unclear. But the revelations in the testimony to the House select committee by Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide, both provided new evidence about Trump’s activities before the riot and chipped away at any potential defense that he was merely expressing well-founded views about election fraud, legal experts said. A federal judge in a civil suit related to the committee’s work concluded this year that Trump and one of his legal advisers, John Eastman, most likely had committed felonies.

Colorado GOP Rejects Candidates Who Back Trump Election Lie
MSN – Nicholas Riccardi (Associated Press) | Published: 6/29/2022

Colorado Republicans rejected two of the state’s most prominent election deniers, a setback for the movement to install those who echo former President Trump’s lies about mass voter fraud in positions overseeing voting. The twin losses add to mixed record for Trump’s movement. So far, four supporters of his election falsehoods have won Republican primaries for secretary of state. But he has also suffered embarrassing losses. The Colorado decisions came as voters in six other states went to the polls in the first primaries since the Supreme Court revoked the constitutional right of women to obtain abortions.

Democrats Seize on Abortion Ruling in Midterms, as Republicans Tread Carefully
MSN – Annie Linskey and Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) | Published: 6/26/2022

Democrats are seizing on the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, with state and federal candidates seeking to turn anger about the decision into support at the ballot box, even as Republicans aim to keep attention on rising prices and crime. Democrats on the front lines of the fight to keep the party’s congressional majorities have cast their campaigns as key parts of a larger battle to restore abortion rights prevent the rollback of other liberties. Democratic candidates for governor, attorney general, and offices at the state level, where abortion laws will now be determined, pledged to put the issue at the forefront of their campaigns.

Former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry Avoids Prison Time Over Three Felony Convictions
MSN – Chris Marquette (Roll Call) | Published: 6/28/2022

Former U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry was sentenced to two years’ probation for lying to the FBI and concealing information during an investigation into his campaign’s receipt of tens of thousands of dollars in illegal foreign contributions. The sentencing decision went against the prosecution’s request, who asked for Fortenberry to serve six months in federal prison. The judge also said Fortenberry must complete 320 hours of community service and pay a $25,000 fine.

Giuliani Associate Parnas Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison
MSN – Larry Neumeister (Associated Press) | Published: 6/29/2022

Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudy Giuliani who was a figure in former President Trump’s first impeachment investigation, was sentenced to a year and eight months in prison for fraud and campaign finance crimes. Parnas, who had helped Giuliani connect with Ukrainian figures as part of a campaign to dig up dirt on President Biden’s son, had sought leniency on the grounds that he had helped the congressional probe. Prosecutors asked the judge to focus on a jury’s finding that Parnas used the money of a wealthy Russian to make illegal donations to politicians who might aid the launch of a legal recreational-marijuana business.

Home of Jeffrey Clark, Trump DOJ Official, Searched by Federal Agents
MSN – Spencer Hsu, Devlin Barrett, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 6/23/2022

Federal agents conducted a search at the home of former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, who played a key role in then-President Trump’s efforts to get law enforcement officials to challenge Joe Biden’s election victory. Clark’s conduct in late 2020 and early 2021 was also the focus of a hearing by the House committee probing the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters determined to overturn Biden’s victory. Several former senior Justice Department officials testified about a bizarre effort by Clark to volunteer himself and the department as advocates for Trump’s bogus claims of massive voter fraud during the election.

Jan. 6 Committee Subpoenas Former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone
MSN – Jacqueline Alemany and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 6/29/2022

The House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection issued a subpoena to former White House counsel Pat Cipollone after testimony from a former aide identified him as having firsthand knowledge of potential criminal activity in the Trump White House. The decision followed negotiations between Cipollone and the committee, as well as escalating pressure on him in recent days to testify. Committee members have come to believe he former counsel’s testimony could be critical to their investigation, given his proximity to Donald Trump and presence during key moments before, during, and after the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Lawyer Who Advised Trump Says Federal Agents Seized Phone
Yahoo News – Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 6/27/2022

John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who aided former President Trump’s efforts to undo the 2020 election results and who has been repeatedly referenced in House hearings on the assault on the Capitol, said in a court filing that federal agents seized his cell phone. The move underscores federal investigators’ interest in the unsuccessful schemes advanced by Trump advisers to help keep the then-president in power in the period between the November 2020 election and the riot at the Capitol two months later, when Trump loyalists stormed the building to halt the certification of the election results.

Ron Johnson Now Says He Helped Coordinate Effort to Pass False Elector Slates to Pence, but His New Explanation Drew a Quick Rebuke
Yahoo Finance – Molly Beck and Lawrence Andrea (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 6/26/2022

After initially claiming to be “basically unaware” of an effort by his staff to get fake presidential elector documents to Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said he coordinated with a Wisconsin attorney to pass along such information and alleged that U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly brought slates of fake electors to his office, a claim that was immediately disputed. Evidence presented by the House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol showed Johnson’s chief of staff tried to deliver the two states’ lists of fake presidential electors for former President Trump to Pence on the morning of the insurrection but was rebuffed by Pence’s aide.

The Supreme Court Has Chipped Away at the Voting Rights Act for 9 Years. This Case Could Be the Next Blow.
Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro (Politico) | Published: 6/27/2022

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been whittled away over the last decade by the U.S. Supreme Court and a case set to be heard in the fall could shrink the protections offered by the law to the smallest level yet. The court will hear arguments in the fall about Alabama’s redistricting, in a case targeting the other central piece of the Voting Rights Act: Section 2, which prohibits voting practices and procedures that discriminate on the basis of race. The result of the case could make it more difficult for minority communities to claim new election laws are discriminatory and raise the bar for what has to happen to get relief from the courts.

Tucker Carlson Just Inadvertently Helped Raise $14,000 for Abortion Rights
MSN – Steven Zeitchik (Washington Post) | Published: 6/27/2022

Hours after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Tucker Carlson took to the airwaves to rail against companies that would pay for employees’ abortion-travel costs. But as Carlson was offering his commentary, an image from his show was being put to a different use: raising money for groups that facilitate abortion. Online bidders in the digital space known as web3 were offering thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency for a non-fungible token made out of a screen image of Carlson on the show. Jenny Holzer said she will donate the $14,500 she made from the sale to groups including Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Violent Threats to Election Workers Are Common. Prosecutions Are Not.
Yahoo News – Michael Wines and Eliza Fawcett (New York Times) | Published: 6/27/2022

Travis Ford pleaded guilty recently to making a threat with a telecommunications device – a felony that can carry up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 – for threatening Jena Griswold, the secretary of state and chief election official of Colorado, on Instagram. While Attorney General Merrick Garland has established the federal Election Threats Task Force, almost no one else has faced punishment. Two other cases are being prosecuted, but Ford’s guilty plea is the only case the task force has successfully concluded out of more than 1,000 it has evaluated.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Wendy Rogers Refused to Speak to the Senate Ethics Panel About Her ‘Fed Boy Summer’ Tweet
Arizona Mirror – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Published: 6/29/2022

State Sen. Wendy Rogers refused to meet with the attorney for the Arizona Senate Ethics Committee, but her lawyer said in a letter to the panel that her tweet dismissing the racially motivated Buffalo grocery store mass shooting was a reference to a 2019 hip hop song and not a nod to white supremacist online culture. The Senate launched an investigation into Rogers for alluding on social media that the shooting in Buffalo was the work of federal law enforcement instead of the white supremacist accused of carrying out the attack.

California – Downtown Real Estate Developer Found Guilty in Jose Huizar Bribery Case
Yahoo News – David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 6/27/2022

Five years ago, real estate developer Dae Yong Lee had a big problem. A labor group with political connections had filed a challenge against his plan for a 20-story tower in downtown Los Angeles. A jury found Lee guilty of paying a $500,000 bribe to ensure city council member Jose Huizar would shepherd his project through the city’s planning process. Lee’s company was also found guilty. It had sought city approval for the residential tower. The verdicts delivered a critical victory to federal prosecutors in the first of three trials encompassing the sprawling corruption case against Huizar.

California – Santa Ana Moves to Increase Transparency with Lobbyist Registration Law
Los Angeles Times – Ben Brazil | Published: 6/23/2022

As Anaheim grapples with a corruption scandal, officials from nearby Santa Ana moved forward with a plan to encourage greater transparency by tracking paid lobbyists. The city council gave initial approval to an ordinance that requires lobbyists to register with the city or face penalties. Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento said while the lobbyist disclosure law is a step in the right direction, the city needs to do more to prevent the kind of corruption uncovered in Anaheim.

Connecticut – As a New Field of Candidates Lines Up for CT Taxpayer-Funded Campaign Grants, a Long-Ignored Elections Complaint Causes Concern About Landmark Reforms
MSN – Edmund Mahoney (Hartford Courant) | Published: 6/27/2022

Former Connecticut Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. was accused in 2014 of breaking a promise to limit his campaign spending to a grant of about $90,000 from the Citizens’ Election Program. Records show his campaign benefitted from almost four times that much because of an amendment to the law. Kennedy and his backers claim it permitted the Democratic State Central Committee to cover “organizational expenditures.” The case has languished in part because of legal disagreements over whether the amendment really does permit campaigns to spend in excess of the public financing caps on “organizational expenditures” with money donated by political committees.

Florida – ‘Unsettling,’ ‘Un-American’: FPL consultant obtained personal information, surveillance photo of journalist Nate Monroe
Yahoo News – David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 6/24/2022

Florida Times-Union columnist Mate Monroe was under surveillance by Matrix, a consulting firm that worked for Florida Power & Light (FPL) during the attempted sale of JEA, the community-owned utility in Jacksonville. The then-chief executive officer of Matrix emailed a background report on Monroe’s personal life to FPL’s vice president of state legislative affairs. Monroe frequently broke news on the potential sale of JEA and wrote columns critical of the sales process. FPL has called the reporting “conspiracy-laden” as it relates to the utility’s bid for JEA.

Hawaii – Permitting Worker Who Took Bribes for a Decade Gets Prison Time
Honolulu Civil Beat – Christina Jedra | Published: 6/27/2022

A veteran of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) will go to prison for two-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to accepting over $63,000 in bribes over the course of a decade. Jennie Javonillo accepted cash from at least 10 individuals and companies who received expedited processing for their projects, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael David Nammar. The former building plans examiner perpetuated a “pay-to-play” culture at DPP in which people who offered bribes got their projects approved in “record time,” while construction stalled for those who refused to pay, Nammar said.

Hawaii – Tougher Campaign Finance Laws Top Standards Commission Agenda
Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 6/30/2022

A commission to enhance government transparency in Hawaii is weighing a handful of measures aimed at tightening campaign finance laws and reducing the influence of money in politics in a year where several political donors made headlines for alleged bribery. The recent cases led to the creation of the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct, which plans to come back to the Legislature with proposals on government ethics, elections, and more. The agency in charge of overseeing state campaign finance laws came before the new commission with ideas for eliminating “pay-to-play” schemes.

Idaho – Lobbying or Campaigning? Idaho Political Organizations Did Both Before Primary Election
Idaho Capital Sun – Kelcie Moseley-Morris | Published: 6/27/2022

Online ads that attacked Idaho lawmakers were prominent during the last legislative session. They were paid for by Idaho Freedom Action, the 501(c)(4) arm of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. Until mid-April, Idaho Freedom Action reported all its activities related to the session as lobbying for specific bills. Between January and March, the group reported buying Facebook ads that totaled $35,708. Although the ads focus on specific lawmakers, Deputy Secretary of State Chad Houck said if they do not include words to encourage someone to “vote for” or “vote against” that legislator, it is not a reportable independent campaign expenditure.

Illinois – GOP Lawmaker Calls Roe Ruling ‘Victory for White Life’ as Trump Rally Cheers
MSN – Jennifer Hassan (Washington Post) | Published: 6/26/2022

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller called the Supreme Court’s decision to Roe v. Wade a “victory for white life,” which was met with cheers at a rally held by former President Trump. Miller’s spokesperson, Isaiah Wartman, said she misread her prepared speech and was supposed to declare the divisive court ruling a victory for the “right to life.” Last year, Miller was forced to apologize after quoting Adolf Hitler at a “Moms for America” event in Washington, D.C.

Illinois – Negotiations Underway on Stalled Ethics Reform Package, Lightfoot Says
WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 6/23/2022

An effort to overhaul Chicago’s ethics rules designed to finally put an end to the corruption at City Hall will remain stalled for at least another month, even as Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she has begun negotiating with Ald. Michele Smith. But Lightfoot declined to endorse Smith’s proposal, or detail how the proposal should be changed. Lightfoot and Smith met after Chicago Board of Ethics Chairperson William Conlon said the package of reforms, which has been stalled since April without Lightfoot’s backing, should be “swiftly” passed by the city council and signed into law.

Louisiana – Supreme Court Frees Louisiana to Use Congressional Map Drawn by GOP
MSN – Robert Barnes (Washington Post) | Published: 6/28/2022

The U.S. Supreme Court cleared Louisiana to use a Republican-drawn congressional map this fall that a lower court judge said likely diminishes the electoral power of the state’s Black voters. The justices agreed with a request by Louisiana’s Republican secretary of state to put on hold U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick’s order that the state create a second district where African Americans would have the opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice. An appeals court backed the district court’s decision, but the state Legislature refused to redraw the map.

Maryland – Former Hogan Chief of Staff Charged with Additional Count in Corruption Case
MSN – Sam Janesch (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 6/29/2022

A former chief of staff to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is facing an additional charge in a two-year-old public corruption case that alleges he collected excessive expenses and arranged for an unprecedented $233,647 severance payment during his time in office. The new federal wire fraud charge against Roy McGrath relates to a memo that outlined the severance payment and included Hogan’s approval but that federal officials say McGrath fabricated.

Maryland – Nick Mosby’s Tab for Ocean City Conference in August Is Twice as Much as Baltimore City Council Colleagues’
Yahoo News – Jeff Barker (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 6/29/2022

The Baltimore City Board of Estimates approved travel expenses – including three hotel nights – averaging $1,394 total for each of four city council members to attend the Maryland Association of Counties annual conference in Ocean City in mid-August. It approved similar expenses for the Council President Nick Mosby. But his bill was twice as much: $3,008. The board approved the requests of Mosby and the other council members without dissent.

Michigan – Supreme Court: Flint water indictments against Rick Snyder, others invalid
Bridge Michigan – Kelly House and Jonathan Oosting | Published: 6/28/2022

A one-judge grand jury had no power to issue indictments stemming from the Flint water crisis, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled. The decision is likely to erase criminal charges against former Gov. Rick Snyder and several other former public officials and raises questions about future prosecutions. The Flint crisis was triggered by a drinking water source switch, executed while a state-appointed emergency manager ran the city. The decision caused lead contamination that coincided with two outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease and 12 deaths. Snyder was charged with two misdemeanors for willful neglect of duty.

Missouri – Page’s Chief of Staff Resigns After Councilman Asks for Probe of Leaked Sex Video
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Nassim Benchaabane and Joe Holleman | Published: 6/29/2022

Cal Harris, chief of staff for St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, resigned abruptly, a week after county council member Mark Harder asked law enforcement officers to investigate a video of a county employee engaged in a sexual act at the county building. Harder said he received an anonymous video of a male county employee in a sexual act with a woman. The employee, whom Harder did not name, could be identified in the video because he was wearing a county ID badge with his name. A source who had seen the video said Harris’ name on the ID badge could be made out.

New Jersey – Bill to Increase N.J. Campaign Contributions and Gut Local Pay-to-Play Rules Falls Off Fast Track
MSN – Matt Arco (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 6/29/2022

A bill that was getting fast-tracked through the New Jersey Legislature that seeks to double many contribution limits for elections and remove many “pay-to-play” restrictions in the state has stalled. The bill was pulled from consideration in both the Senate and Assembly as lawmakers gathered for a busy voting session before summer break. It was not immediately clear what prompted legislative leaders to pull the Elections Transparency Act after it sailed through committee hearings with bipartisan support in recent days.

New Mexico – NM Department Heads, Others Didn’t Disclose Financial Info
Yahoo News – Dan McKay (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 6/26/2022

Four Cabinet secretaries, a university chancellor, and New Mexico’s chief public defender failed to disclose their income sources and business interests earlier this year as required by state law. The group of non-filers also included the game and fish director, the chief clerk of the Senate, and more than 100 appointees to state boards and commissions. In New Mexico, elected officials, the leaders of state agencies, and certain other appointees are required to file annual disclosures listing their income sources, real estate holdings, and business interests – both for themselves and their spouses – as a condition of employment.

New York – Judge Says NYC Can’t Let Noncitizens Vote in City Elections
NBC News – Associated Press | Published: 6/27/2022

New York City cannot let noncitizens vote for mayor and other city officials, a judge ruled, siding with Republicans who challenged the measure as unconstitutional. In January, New York became the first major American city to grant widespread municipal voting rights to noncitizens, though none had cast ballots yet. The law did not affect presidential, congressional, or state elections. The law’s supporters said it gave an electoral voice to many people who have made a home in the city and pay taxes to it but face tough paths to citizenship.

New York – New York’s Troubled Ethics Panel Holds Final Meeting
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 6/28/2022

After 11 tumultuous years, New York’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) conducted its final meeting. On July 8, the commission will cease to exist. The Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul agreed in the budget passed in April to replace it with a new oversight body, the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. JCOPE was long dogged by accusations its commissioners were too close to the lawmakers who appointed them. The panel’s 14 commissioners were appointed by top state lawmakers, with the governor appointing six.

New York – Suffolk County Has Repealed Its Public Campaign Finance Program
WSHU – J.D. Allen | Published: 6/23/2022

Suffolk County has effectively ended its public campaign finance program. Outside of New York City, Suffolk County was the largest county in the state to establish a public campaign finance program. It did not survive a year in operation, without supporting a single campaign, before Republicans took away its funding. County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey said public money is better spent on taxpayers, not candidates. “There is a more immediate need than for campaign finance, and we think that this money could be better spent in other ways,” McCaffrey said.

North Carolina – One of NC’s Biggest Political Donors, in Prison for Bribery, Wins New Trial
MSN – Will Doran (Charlotte Observer) | Published: 6/29/2022

A billionaire who had been convicted of attempting to bribe a top state official with the help of the North Carolina Republican Party was not given a fair trial, a federal appeals court ruled. Greg Lindberg was briefly North Carolina’s biggest political donor before his arrest. He is now two years into a seven-year prison sentence but will get a new trial, along with his employee John Gray, who had been sentenced to 30 months in prison as part of the same scandal.

North Dakota – North Dakota Lawmakers Ponder Improvements to Harassment Policy After Rep’s Expulsion
Bismarck Tribune – Jack Dura | Published: 6/27/2022

North Dakota legislative leaders see more training for themselves on how to handle complaints as a way to improve the Legislature’s workplace harassment policy after a lawmaker’s expulsion last year. A panel of leaders met to review the policy, nearly 16 months after the Republican-led House expelled then-Rep. Luke Simons for workplace and sexual harassment of women at the Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner said the panel will wait until September to vote on potential changes to the policy that was adopted in 2018 amid the #MeToo movement but has never been used. The Legislature convenes in January.

Ohio – Ohio Supreme Court Declines to Hold Ohio Redistricting Commission in Contempt for Failure to Pass Constitutional Legislative Districts
MSN – Seth Richardson (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 6/29/2022

The state Supreme Court announced it would not hold members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission in contempt after Republicans on the commission missed a May deadline to produce new state legislative maps. The ruling likely brings an end to the redistricting saga for now. Districts are already in place for the August 2 special legislative election and Republicans on the commission have refused to reconvene.

Oklahoma – Clean Up Oklahoma Criticized for Not Disclosing Source of Funding
Enid News & Eagle – Janelle Stecklein (CNHI Oklahoma) | Published: 6/27/2022

Armed with mops and buckets and their trademark “Clean It Up Truck,” members of Clean Up Oklahoma admit they make a bit of spectacle as they travel across the state bringing attention to their anti-corruption platform. Their “Anti-Corruption Pledge” requires candidates to promise, among other things, to clean up elections by getting “big money out of politics” and requires officials to be transparent with things such as their tax returns, conflicts-of-interest, and gifts. But Clean Up Oklahoma, which reports spending $30,400 on electioneering efforts since June 9, is not disclosing any of its donors.

Oklahoma – Epic Charter Schools Co-Founders Made Political Donations with State Dollars, OSBI Says
The Oklahoman – Nuria Martinez-Kee | Published: 6/25/2022

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation arrested Epic Charter Schools co-founders Ben Harris and David Chaney, along with the group’s chief financial officer, Josh Brock. Investigators allege Harris, Chaney, and Brock illegally pocketed millions of taxpayer dollars, submitted false financial reports to the state, and spent money intended for Epic students on political donations and personal expenses.

Rhode Island – Officer Running for State Senate Drops Out After Punching Opponent
MSN – Timothy Bella and James Bikales (Washington Post) | Published: 6/25/2022

A Providence police officer who was running for state office as a Republican dropped out of the race amid a criminal investigation for allegedly punching his Democratic opponent in the face during a protest. Rhode Island Political Cooperative Chairperson Jennifer Rourke was among those who spoke outside the statehouse following the Supreme Court’s decision to end the right to abortion. As tensions escalated among protesters and counter-protesters, video posted to social media shows people exchanging punches in a chaotic scene. During the fighting, a man who Rourke says is officer Jeann Lugo is seen punching her in the face.

Texas – As They Target South Texas, Republicans Say One Democratic County Isn’t Maintaining Campaign Finance Records
Texas Tribune – Patrick Svitek | Published: 6/28/2022

Republicans are trying to make new inroads in South Texas this election season. The increased attention has spotlighted a concerning issue, according to one GOP group: a lack of publicly available campaign finance reports in Starr County documenting donations and spending for its local elections. Under state law, counties are required to maintain such reports for candidates for local office, including races for county judge, county commissioner, and justice of the peace. But that is apparently not happening in Starr, one of the four counties that make up the Rio Grande Valley, according to a recently filed ethics complaint.

Wisconsin – Scott Walker-Appointed Natural Resources Board Member Frederick Prehn Can Remain Past His Term, Supreme Court Rules
Yahoo News – Laura Schulte (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 6/28/2022

Frederick Prehn can remain on the state’s Natural Resources Board beyond the expiration of his term, under a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling.  The decision allows Prehn to remain as a voting member of the board, which sets policy for the Department of Natural Resources, until the state Senate holds a hearing for his replacement. The ruling all but ensures that Republicans who control the Senate will continue to avoid confirming large slates of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointees to key cabinet positions and other state positions.

Campaign Finance

National: “Giuliani Associate Parnas Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison” by Larry Neumeister (Associated Press) for MSN

National: “Former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry Avoids Prison Time Over Three Felony Convictions” by Chris Marquette (Roll Call) for MSN

Texas: “As They Target South Texas, Republicans Say One Democratic County Isn’t Maintaining Campaign Finance Records” by Patrick Svitek for Texas Tribune

Elections

National: “Colorado GOP Rejects Candidates Who Back Trump Election Lie” by Nicholas Riccardi (Associated Press) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Cassidy Hutchinson’s Testimony Highlights Legal Risks for Trump” by Alan Feuer and Glenn Thrush (New York Times) for Yahoo News

Arizona: “Wendy Rogers Refused to Speak to the Senate Ethics Panel About Her ‘Fed Boy Summer’ Tweet” by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy for Arizona Mirror

Maryland: “Former Hogan Chief of Staff Charged with Additional Count in Corruption Case” by Sam Janesch (Baltimore Sun) for MSN

New York: “New York’s Troubled Ethics Panel Holds Final Meeting” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

North Dakota: “North Dakota Lawmakers Ponder Improvements to Harassment Policy After Rep’s Expulsion” by Jack Dura for Bismarck Tribune

Redistricting

Louisiana: “Supreme Court Frees Louisiana to Use Congressional Map Drawn by GOP” by Robert Barnes (Washington Post) for MSN

Campaign Finance

National: “Tucker Carlson Just Inadvertently Helped Raise $14,000 for Abortion Rights” by Steven Zeitchik (Washington Post) for MSN

Oklahoma: “Clean Up Oklahoma Criticized for Not Disclosing Source of Funding” by Janelle Stecklein (CNHI Oklahoma) for Enid News & Eagle

Elections

New York: “Judge Says NYC Can’t Let Noncitizens Vote in City Elections” by Associated Press for NBC News

Ethics

National: “Lawyer Who Advised Trump Says Federal Agents Seized Phone” by Eric Tucker (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

National: “Former White House Aide Delivers Shocking Testimony About Out-of-Control Trump on Jan. 6” by Kyle Cheney, Betsy Woodruff Swan, and Nicholas Wu for Politico

California: “Downtown Real Estate Developer Found Guilty in Jose Huizar Bribery Case” by David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) for Yahoo News

Hawaii: “Permitting Worker Who Took Bribes for a Decade Gets Prison Time” by Christina Jedra for Honolulu Civil Beat

Michigan: “Supreme Court: Flint water indictments against Rick Snyder, others invalid” by Kelly House and Jonathan Oosting for Bridge Michigan

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “As a New Field of Candidates Lines Up for CT Taxpayer-Funded Campaign Grants, a Long-Ignored Elections Complaint Causes Concern About Landmark Reforms” by Edmund Mahoney (Hartford Courant) for MSN

Elections

National: “Violent Threats to Election Workers Are Common. Prosecutions Are Not.” by Michael Wines and Eliza Fawcett (New York Times) for Yahoo News

National: “The Supreme Court Has Chipped Away at the Voting Rights Act for 9 Years. This Case Could Be the Next Blow.” by Zach Montellaro (Politico) for Yahoo News

National: “Ron Johnson Now Says He Helped Coordinate Effort to Pass False Elector Slates to Pence, but His New Explanation Drew a Quick Rebuke” by Molly Beck and Lawrence Andrea (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) for Yahoo Finance

Ethics

Florida: “‘Unsettling,’ ‘Un-American’: FPL consultant obtained personal information, surveillance photo of journalist Nate Monroe” by David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) for Yahoo News

Illinois: “GOP Lawmaker Calls Roe Ruling ‘Victory for White Life’ as Trump Rally Cheers” by Jennifer Hassan (Washington Post) for MSN

New Mexico: “NM Department Heads, Others Didn’t Disclose Financial Info” by Dan McKay (Albuquerque Journal) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

Idaho: “Lobbying or Campaigning? Idaho Political Organizations Did Both Before Primary Election” by Kelcie Moseley-Morris for Idaho Capital Sun