Ethics Archives - Page 4 of 317 - State and Federal Communications

February 25, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance National: “Kyrsten Sinema Accused of Illegally Spending $700,000 in Campaign Funds on Personal Expenses” by Jim Small (Arizona Mirror) for Yahoo News Hawaii: “‘I Want You to Hear the Facts’: Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke releases video clarifying campaign […]

February 24, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Georgia: “Ga. Gubernatorial Hopeful Burt Jones Suffers Setback in Funding Battle” by Tim Darnell (WRDW) for MSN Michigan: “Michigan Lawmakers Use Political Funds for Rent, Car Expenses, Netflix” by Craig Mauger (Detroit News) for Blue Water Healthy Living […]

February 20, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – February 20, 2026

National/Federal Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Restore Slavery Exhibits to the President’s House MSN – Abraham Gutman and Fallon Roth (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 2/16/2026 A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore the slavery exhibits the National […]

National/Federal

Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Restore Slavery Exhibits to the President’s House

MSN – Abraham Gutman and Fallon Roth (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 2/16/2026

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore the slavery exhibits the National Park Service removed from the President’s House. The order does not give the government a deadline for the restoration of the site. It does require that the National Park Service take steps to maintain the site and ensure the safety of the exhibits, which memorialize the enslaved people who lived in George Washington’s Philadelphia home during his presidency and were abruptly removed in January.

Stephen Colbert Says CBS Blocked Interview with Texas Democrat Over FCC Concerns

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 2/17/2026

CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert rebuked his own network, claiming lawyers for parent company Paramount Skydance prohibited him from airing an interview with Texas Rep. James Talarico, a U.S. Senate candidate, over concerns it would violate the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) equal time rule. The rule requires broadcasters to provide equal opportunity to candidates. News and talk show interviews have traditionally been exempt from the mandate. But in January, the FCC issued a public notice saying daytime and nighttime talk shows would have to apply for exemptions to the equal time rule for each of their programs.

Supreme Court to Use Software to Identify Justices’ Conflict of Interests

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 2/17/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court will begin using software to scan litigants’ filings to identify potential conflicts of interest that might require justices to step aside from cases. Parties before the court will be required to list stock-ticker symbols and make other disclosures to support the automated reviews. The software will compare information about parties and attorneys in a case with a list created by each justice’s chambers. The new rules will take effect in mid-March.

Democratic Lawmakers Ask Watchdogs to Probe Whether Former Lobbyists Serving in Trump Administration Violated Ethics Rules

MSN – Sara Lynch (CBS News) | Published: 2/18/2026

Four Democratic lawmakers are asking the top internal watchdogs at 16 different federal agencies to investigate whether former lobbyists appointed by the Trump administration may have violated ethics rules to benefit their own former clients. Federal ethics rules generally bar government employees for one year from working on matters involving their former employers or clients. During Trump’s first term in office, he extended the recusal period to two years, though he has not issued any sort of ethics pledge during his second term in office.

How the US Supreme Court Set the Stage for Partisan Gerrymandering Arms Race

MSN – John Kruzel (Reuters) | Published: 2/14/2026

Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings allowing starkly partisan voting maps to be used in the November midterm elections crucial to Donald Trump’s presidency highlight how a 2019 decision by the justices helped supercharge a political practice that polling shows most Americans oppose. The ruling by the justices in a 2019 case called Rucho v. Common Cause stripped federal courts of their power to police a practice known as partisan gerrymandering. It involves states redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts based on the partisan leanings of voters to boost a political party’s candidates.

Democratic-Led Cities Move to Block ICE, Setting Up Clash with Trump

MSN – Tim Craig (Washington Post) | Published: 2/18/2026

Elected Democrats in major U.S. cities have banded together to try to block the Trump administration from aggressive immigration operations such as the one now winding down in Minneapolis, issuing a slate of policy changes and vowing to prosecute agents who violate local laws. The policies broadly seek to restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from city property and parks and, in some cases, direct local police to monitor the activities of federal agents.

Federal Court Blocks Hegseth Effort to Punish Democratic Senator

MSN – Connor O’Brien and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 2/12/2026

A federal judge sided with U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly to stop Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from punishing the former Navy captain for advising troops not to follow illegal orders. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Pentagon’s effort to demote Kelly’s rank and reduce his retirement pay. The decision is the second legal setback for the Trump administration’s campaign to punish Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers, who released a video last fall telling military personnel they do not have to adhere to illegal orders.

Trump Nominates Two Republicans to FEC, Paving Path to End Monthslong ‘Shutdown’

NOTUS – Taylor Giorno and Dave Levinthal | Published: 2/11/2026

President Trump nominated two Republicans to seats on the FEC, the first step toward reopening the idled federal campaign finance regulator as the 2026 midterms get underway. Trump nominated Andrew Woodson, a lawyer at Wiley Rein who previously worked for former FEC Chairperson Lee Goodman, and Ashley Stow, who previously worked with former FEC Commissioner Trey Trainor, to fill two of the four vacancies on the commission.

Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance AI Agenda

Seattle Times – Theodore Schleifer and Matt Zdun (New York Times) | Published: 2/18/2026

Meta is preparing to spend $65 million this year to boost state politicians who are friendly to the artificial intelligence industry. The sum is the biggest election investment by Meta. The company was previously cautious about campaign engagements, making small donations out of a corporate PAC and contributing to presidential inaugurations. It also let executives like Sheryl Sandberg, who was chief operating officer, support candidates in their personal capacities.

House Speaker Condemns Trump Justice Department Monitoring of Lawmakers’ Epstein Document Review

Yahoo News – Holmes Lybrand, Annie Grayer, and Manu Raju (CNN) | Published: 2/12/2026

Attorney General Pam Bondi obtained U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s search history of the unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Justice Department’s tracking of lawmakers’ search history was inappropriate, a rare rebuke from the Republican who is usually in lockstep with the Trump administration. Jayapal said she did not know the Justice Department had surveilled her search until CNN contacted her for a comment on the matter.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – In Call, Alabama Power Lobbyist Sought Nonprofit’s Support for Bill Ending PSC Elections

Yahoo News – Ralph Chapoco (Alabama Reflector) | Published: 2/17/2026

A lobbyist for Alabama’s largest electric utility approached a nonprofit to persuade the organization to support legislation that would end popular elections to the state’s utility regulation board. R.B. Walker, director of state and federal governmental affairs for Alabama Power, told John Dodd, policy manager for Energy Alabama, the utility would not take an official position on the proposed legislation but said cited possible advantages for appointing members of the Alabama Public Service Commission. Dodd said in an interview he believed Alabama Power wanted the nonprofit to work for the bill without bringing the utility into the matter.

Arizona – Hobbs Releases Proposal to Reform Arizona’s Campaign Finance, Procurement and Lobbying Laws

KJZZ – Wayne Schutsky | Published: 2/17/2026

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs released long-awaited proposals to reform the state’s campaign finance and procurement laws in response to “pay-to-play” allegations lobbed against her administration by critics. But the governor is pairing those reforms with a ban on lobbyists entertaining state officials, including the lawmakers in the Republican-led Legislature that would have to vote to approve her proposal.

California – County Funds for Stopping Overdoses Instead Went to Personal Vacations, Prosecutors Say

MSN – Blake Nelson (San Diego Union-Tribune) | Published: 2/18/2026

At least $132,000 in San Diego County funds were illegally spent on plastic surgery, streaming subscriptions, and trips to Disneyland and Hawaii, among other personal expenses, prosecutors alleged. That money was supposed to go toward preventing and reversing drug overdoses amid an ongoing opioid epidemic. Officials announced six felony charges against Amy Knox, the former chief operating officer of the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego. If convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison.

California – Ex-San Leandro City Council Member Pleads Guilty in East Bay Bribery Case, Agrees to Work with Feds

MSN – Megan Cassidy (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 2/11/2026

Two days after announcing his retirement, San Leandro City Councilperson Bryan Azevedo pleaded guilty to two felony charges connected to a far-reaching corruption case intended to help a powerful East Bay family win contracts in Oakland in exchange for kickbacks. Azevedo was the last defendant to be charged and the first to have their case adjudicated in what prosecutors described as a bribery scheme tied to former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and leaders of a Bay Area recycling company.

California – Southern California Air Board Rejected Pollution Rules After AI-Generated Flood of Comments

MSN – Hayley Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 2/17/2026

The opposition appeared overwhelming as thousands of emails poured into Southern California’s top air pollution authority as its board weighed proposal to phase out gas-powered appliances. But many of the messages that may have swayed the regulatory agency to scrap the plan were generated by a platform that is powered by artificial intelligence (AI). More than 20,000 public comments submitted in opposition to last year’s proposal were generated by a company called CiviClick, which bills itself as “the first and best AI-powered grassroots advocacy platform.”

Colorado – Colorado Capitol Caucuses Would Have to Disclose Their Donors, Spending Under Democratic Unity Bill

Colorado Sun – Taylor Dolven | Published: 2/13/2026

Colorado lawmakers would have to report who is donating to their caucuses and how they are spending that money under a bill brought in the wake of a dark money-funded retreat attended by a group of Democrats. Senate Bill 108 would require caucuses, committees, clubs. and other groups of lawmakers to file monthly reports with legislative staff detailing all money they received, accepted, or spent. The reports would then be posted online.

Georgia – Rick Jackson Sues Burt Jones Over Campaign Finance in Governor’s Race

MSN – Irene Wright (USA Today) | Published: 2/12/2026

Healthcare executive and political outsider Rick Jackson has been in the race for Georgia governor for just 10 days, but he Is already charging forward in the polls and taking on his opponents in court. Jackson’s campaign filed a lawsuit against Lt. Gov. Jones, and Attorney General Chris Carr (both running for governor), and other state officials alleging Jones’ campaign financing is unconstitutional.

Hawaii – Gov. Green Cancels Out-of-State Work Trip ‘to Ensure Steady Leadership’

Hawai’i Public Radio – Ashley Mizuo | Published: 2/12/2026

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green canceled his annual trip to the National Governors Association meeting. When a Hawaii governor physically leaves the state, the lieutenant governor becomes acting governor in their absence. This schedule change comes after Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke became the center of a story involving allegations an “influential lawmaker” accepted $35,000 in a paper bag during a January 2022 meeting. The claim came to light during the federal bribery investigation into former Rep. Ty Cullen and Sen. Kalani English.

Illinois – AIPAC Accused of Covert Campaigning as Democratic Support Falters

MSN – Matthew Choi (Washington Post) | Published: 2/18/2026

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a powerful pro-Israel organization, is masking its involvement in competitive Democratic primaries in Illinois, according to candidates in those races, who accuse the interest group of trying to quietly maintain its influence as Democrats reexamine their stance on Israel. AIPAC describes itself as a bipartisan organization; through its political arm, it has long supported Democrats and Republicans aligned with its mission.

Maine – Maine Legislature Asks Courts to Weigh in on Potential Ranked-Choice Voting Expansion

Yahoo News – Lauren McCauley (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 2/10/2026

Amid a pivotal election year, Maine lawmakers are asking the state’s highest court whether it would be legal to expand ranked-choice voting. The House and Senate passed Legislative Document 1666, which would expand the voting method to special and general elections for governor, state senator, and state representative. The governor had intended to veto the bill but was open to a solemn occasion, a rarely used action in which lawmakers can ask the Supreme Judicial Court to produce a nonbinding decision on the legality of pending legislation.

Massachusetts – Former State Police Union Head, Lobbyist Get More Prison Time for Fraud, Racketeering

MSN – Darin Zullo (Boston.com) | Published: 2/18/2026

Dana Pullman, a former Massachusetts State Police union president, and the union’s former lobbyist, Anne Lynch, were sentenced for racketeering, fraud, obstruction of justice, and tax crimes. Pullman was sentenced to two years in prison and Lynch was sentenced to 15 months in prison. After the defendants initial sentencing in 2023, The U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed some of the convictions while letting the others stand.

Michigan – Lobbyists Spent Record Amount on Free Meals for Michigan Lawmakers in 2025

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 2/13/2026

Lobbyists spent a record amount of money providing free food and drink for Michigan lawmakers in 2025. Advocates for special interests in Lansing reported spending more than $485,000 entertaining legislators and members of the executive branch. More than $180,000 was spent toward meals with individual legislators, a record amount and nearly $40,000 more than was spent in 2024, the next-highest year.

Nevada – Nevada Ethics Panel Advances Complaints Against AG Aaron Ford

Las Vegas Sun – Kyle Chouinard | Published: 2/17/2026

A review panel from the Nevada Commission on Ethics advanced a complaint against Attorney General Aaron Ford to the rest of the commission. The complaint accuses Ford of using his position to “benefit his private interests,” including by accepting more than $35,000 in “luxury” trips from the Attorney General Alliance (AGA). Ross Armstrong, executive director of the commission, wrote in the complaint that the AGA was “largely funded by corporations, some of which are subject to regulation or litigation before his office.”

Nevada – Nevada Staffer Faces Ethics Complaints for Federal Official’s Visit

MSN – McKenna Ross (Las Vegas Review-Journal) | Published: 2/16/2026

Two complaints filed with the Nevada Commission on Ethics allege the lieutenant governor’s chief of staff used his position in state government to promote a charter school network and its software platform to a Trump administration cabinet member. The complaint says Rudy Pamintuan used his government role to benefit his private position with the charter school by inviting Education Secretary Linda McMahon to a local event where his business partner demonstrated their artificial-intelligence software.

New Jersey – Bombshell Corruption Case Is Over. N.J. Fails to Prove Dem Power Broker Did Anything Wrong.

Yahoo News – Ted Sherman (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 2/17/2026

The state attorney general’s office said it will not appeal the dismissal of a sweeping corruption indictment against political powerbroker George Norcross III before the New Jersey Supreme Court. Nearly three weeks after an appellate panel upheld the tossing criminal charges, officials said the state was turning the page on the long-fought and controversial investigation, bringing an end to the politically charged case involving the powerful Democratic boss.

New Mexico – Lobbying Transparency Bill Awaits House Floor Hearing

New Mexico In Depth – Marjorie Childress | Published: 2/13/2026

A bill that would require lobbyists in New Mexico to publicly disclose which legislation they are working to influence and whether they support or oppose passed its final House committee, but has since lingered, waiting for a floor vote before it can move to the Senate. Meanwhile, the legislative clock is ticking.

New York – White House Fires U.S. Attorney in N.Y. Hours After Judges Appointed Him

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 2/12/2026

Federal judges in Albany, New York, appointed a new U.S. attorney recently, exercising a rarely invoked legal authority to appoint top prosecutors in regions without a Senate-confirmed nominee. Their choice lasted less than five hours on the job. Donald Kinsella, a former prosecutor, was summarily fired via an email from the White House later that evening. Kinsella’s termination sent a signal to judges in several other federal court districts who have announced plans to make similar replacements of Trump-installed prosecutors whose appointments have been deemed invalid by the courts.

Ohio – Ex-Ethics Chief: FirstEnergy CEO blessed payment at heart of bribery trial

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/12/2026

Former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones signed off on a $4.3 million payment that prosecutors say was a bribe to a man who was about to become the state’s top utility regulator, a former company official testified. Ebony Yeboah-Amankwah, who was the company’s chief ethics officer until she was fired in 2020, also said the company’s then-top lobbyist, Mike Dowling, pushed other officials to speed up the payment. Jones and Dowling face corruption charges centered around accusations they bribed former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo in 2018 and 2019.

Ohio – Misconduct Accusations, Conflicting Testimony Roil FirstEnergy Trial

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/17/2026

The trial of two former FirstEnergy executives accused of bribery turned messy. Two major snags and an Ohio Supreme Court ruling against the presiding judge overshadowed testimony and slowed the trial of former Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and top lobbyist Michael Dowling, who are accused of bribing a former state utility regulator. The day unfolded outside the jury’s view and included defense attorneys asking a judge to toss out the case and a rare request from prosecutors to allow defense attorneys to view a key witness’ grand jury testimony.

Ohio – Witness Details How Ohio Regulator’s Decisions Enriched FirstEnergy in Bribery Trial

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/18/2026

A former FirstEnergy executive testified that decisions by former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo helped the utility avoid an estimated $150 million “haircut” to its annual revenue and reap roughly $79 million in additional profits over two years. Eileen Mikkelsen, FirstEnergy’s former vice president of rates and regulatory affairs, gave her testimony on the 10th day of the bribery trial of former Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and former company lobbyist Michael Dowling.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Commission Seeking Fix as Local Candidates Can’t File Finance Reports

MSN – Alex Gladden (Oklahoman) | Published: 2/13/2026

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is combating a new hurdle with its troubled campaign finance website, as it cannot accept reports from local candidates, though officials hoped a solution would have been in place months ago. This comes after months of problems with the state’s website that logs campaign donations. The site was down for three months in 2025 as the commission waited on RFD & Associates to build a new website. The site, Guardian 2.0, never materialized.

Oregon – Can Oregon Officials Text Each Other About City Business? State Lawmakers Want to Clarify

MSN – Austin De Dios (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 2/17/2026

Oregon legislators are considering making changes to a law that bars city councils and other government bodies from secretly hashing out decisions via private text messages, chats, or other means, after elected officials complained the law was too confusing and a city lobbying group bashed state trainings on the rules. At issue is a section of state law that prohibits local officials from effectively bypassing Oregon’s open government mandate through “serial communications” by texting, calling, or otherwise talking to each other outside of public meetings.

Pennsylvania – Treasury Officials Question Whether Taxpayers Can Legally Pay for Security Upgrades at Shapiro’s Family Home

Yahoo News – Angela Couloumbis (Spotlight PA) | Published: 2/18/2026

Last year, Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement agency revealed taxpayers would pick up the tab for more than $1 million in security upgrades to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s privately owned family home in Montgomery County. But the plan to use public dollars for the entirety of the work there has hit a roadblock. The state Treasury Department is questioning whether procurement rules permit public money to be used for construction work on a non-state-owned property like Shapiro’s house.

Texas – Voting Controversy: Pastor on ballot raises concerns for conflict of interest at Dallas polling site

Yahoo News – Brittani Moncrease (WFAA) | Published: 2/16/2026

Friendship-West Baptist Church is a voting location in Dallas. The polling site has come into question with some calling it a conflict-of-interest. Mallory Caraway, a candidate in Texas’s 30th Congressional District race, said voting at the church raises concern because its senior pastor, Frederick Haynes III, is on the ballot.

Virginia – Va. Supreme Court Paves Way for Democrats to Add Four Seats in Congress

MSN – Gregory Schneider (Washington Post) | Published: 2/13/2026

The Virginia Supreme Court paved the way for state Democrats to move forward with a plan that would enable them to add four Democratic-leaning congressional districts, but the effort’s fate will still be under court review. The ruling means the Virginia General Assembly can hold an April 21 statewide referendum on redrawing the state’s congressional map. A circuit court judge in Tazewell County had blocked the referendum, which seeks to amend the state constitution to temporarily allow mid-decade redistricting in time for this fall’s congressional midterm elections.

Virginia – ‘Us Versus Them’: The battle that’s tearing a small Virginia town apart

MSN – Paul Schwartzman (Washington Post) | Published: 2/16/2026

Small towns often are known for their quirky, insular intrigue, but the drama unfolding in Purcellville, a Virginia exurb that is a 50-mile drive west of the District of Columbia, is a brass-knuckled version of quaint. The battle is rooted in tensions that often divide communities across the country – change versus status quo, growth versus no growth – only in Purcellville the weapons are lawsuits, an attempted citizen revolt, and the kind of ferocious rhetoric that defines much of public life in contemporary America.

West Virginia – WV Senate Passes Bill to Keep Employer Info for Political Donors Off Public Campaign Finance Reports

Yahoo News – Caity Coyne (West Virginia Watch) | Published: 2/16/2026

The West Virginia Senate approved a bill that will stop the public from accessing certain information about people who donate to candidates and campaigns. Senate Bill 640 would stop the secretary of state’s office or any other government agency from publicly posting information that some lawmakers say could be used by advocates to target political donors.

Wyoming – ‘Strapped at the Cap’: Lawmakers and lobbyists take advantage of the Wyoming Capitol’s repealed gun-free zone

MSN – Maya Shimizu Harris (WyoFile) | Published: 2/16/2026

The 2026 budget session is the first time that lawmakers and others are allowed to bring concealed firearms into the Capitol while the Wyoming Legislature conducts its business. Rep. Jeremy Haroldson sponsored the bill that allows this. Haroldson had run bills to repeal gun-free zones in Wyoming every year since becoming a lawmaker in 2021.

Wyoming – Wyoming Lawmakers Will Investigate Checks Activist Gave to Legislators on House Floor

MSN – Maggie Mullen (WyoFile) | Published: 2/12/2026

The Wyoming House voted to launch an investigation after a conservative activist handed out campaign contributions to lawmakers on the chamber floor. The unanimous vote in a legislative body that is normally heavily divided illustrates how much, and how quickly, the incident reverberated through the state Capitol and beyond. Rebecca Bextel, who unsuccessfully sought the top leadership spot of the state Republican Party last year, admitted to handing out checks on the House floor. Bextel said there was no wrongdoing in “delivering lawful campaign checks from Teton County donors when I am in Cheyenne.”

Wyoming – Gov. Mark Gordon Bans Campaign Contributions in State Buildings in Response to Wyoming Check Controversy

MSN – Jasmine Hall (Jackson Hole News&Guide) | Published: 2/17/2026

Gov. Mark Gordon signed an executive order banning campaign contributions in state buildings, bringing the executive branch into an expanding controversy centered on checks handed to lawmakers in the Wyoming Capitol. The ban applies to state facilities and commercial buildings where the state leases space, including the Capitol. It does not apply to areas controlled by the Wyoming Legislature, including the Senate and House floor, which is where the controversy started after a conservative activist was photographed handing checks to lawmakers.

February 19, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Wyoming: “Gov. Mark Gordon Bans Campaign Contributions in State Buildings in Response to Wyoming Check Controversy” by Jasmine Hall (Jackson Hole News&Guide) for MSN Elections Illinois: “AIPAC Accused of Covert Campaigning as Democratic Support Falters” by Matthew Choi […]

February 18, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance West Virginia: “WV Senate Passes Bill to Keep Employer Info for Political Donors Off Public Campaign Finance Reports” by Caity Coyne (West Virginia Watch) for Yahoo News Elections Texas: “Voting Controversy: Pastor on ballot raises concerns for conflict […]

February 17, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Colorado: “Colorado Capitol Caucuses Would Have to Disclose Their Donors, Spending Under Democratic Unity Bill” by Taylor Dolven for Colorado Sun Georgia: “Rick Jackson Sues Burt Jones Over Campaign Finance in Governor’s Race” by Irene Wright (USA Today) […]

February 16, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Commission Seeking Fix as Local Candidates Can’t File Finance Reports” by Alex Gladden (Oklahoman) for MSN Wyoming: “Wyoming Lawmakers Will Investigate Checks Activist Gave to Legislators on House Floor” by Maggie Mullen (WyoFile) for MSN Ethics […]

February 13, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – February 13, 2026

National/Federal This Supreme Court Decision Could Upend Millions in Political Spending Ahead of the Midterms. Here’s How the Parties Are Preparing. MSN – Elena Schneider and Andrew Howard (Politico) | Published: 2/5/2026 Democratic consultants expected to submit bids to their […]

National/Federal

This Supreme Court Decision Could Upend Millions in Political Spending Ahead of the Midterms. Here’s How the Parties Are Preparing.

MSN – Elena Schneider and Andrew Howard (Politico) | Published: 2/5/2026

Democratic consultants expected to submit bids to their House campaign committee for contracts to cut up to $100 million worth of television ads by late summer last year. But as the 2026 midterms drew closer, no invitation ever came, a concrete sign of how the political parties are preparing for a potential earthquake in how the battle for Congress is waged. A Supreme Court case could drastically upend how hundreds of millions of dollars are raised and spent every cycle in the fight for control of Congress.

D.C. Grand Jury Declines to Indict Six Democratic Lawmakers

MSN – Perry Stein and Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) | Published: 2/10/2026

A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia refused the Justice Department’s attempts to indict six Democratic lawmakers over their comments to military service members, the latest rebuke of the Trump administration’s push to prosecute the president’s foes. Federal prosecutors last year launched an investigation into the lawmakers, all of whom served in the military or with intelligence agencies, after they released a short video advising current military members to reject “illegal orders.”

Survey Says Democracies’ Anti-Corruption Efforts Are Slipping and Raises Concern About the U.S.

MSN – Geir Moulson (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 2/10/2026

Established democracies’ efforts against public-sector corruption appear to be flagging, according to a survey released that serves as a barometer of perceived corruption worldwide. It raised concern about developments in the United States. The U.S. was down one point from 2024 for its worst showing yet under the methodology Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index started using for its global ranking in 2012, putting it in 29th place in the first year of President Trump’s second term.

‘Another Reminder’: Capitol Hill braces for Trump ethics standoff over crypto bill

MSN – Declan Harty and Jasper Goodman (Politico) | Published: 2/5/2026

A new controversy over President Trump’s ties to the cryptocurrency industry is sharpening Democratic demands that a sweeping digital assets bill include a provision reining in the first family’s crypto empire. Even as the White House presses Congress to pass the industry-friendly legislation, the Trump family’s growing crypto businesses are emerging as an unavoidable obstacle after news that an Abu Dhabi royal backed a $500-million investment in a Trump-linked venture called World Liberty Financial.

Legality of Trump’s $400M in Private Funding for White House Ballroom at Issue

MSN – Dan Diamond, Aaron Schaffer, and Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) | Published: 2/10/2026

A federal judge is expected to soon rule on whether President Trump’s planned $400 million White House ballroom project can proceed, zeroing in on whether the administration’s plan to rely on private donations allows it to bypass congressional approval. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon, congressional Democrats, and watchdog groups have questioned an arrangement that relies on donations from corporations with business before the federal government, funneled through a nonprofit intermediary that stands to collect millions of dollars in fees, to fund the most significant alteration to the White House in decades.

Embattled Labor Secretary Has History of Questionable Spending That Eluded Congress

MSN – Robert Schmad (Washington Examiner) | Published: 2/10/2026

Public records spanning more than a decade suggest Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has long used funds derived from donors and taxpayers to cover luxury expenses, a now-relevant detail that did not come up during her confirmation hearing. Chavez-DeRemer is facing allegations of improperly using the Labor Department to commit “travel fraud” by ordering her top staffers to “make up” official trips to select destinations so that she could spend time with friends and family on the public’s dime, according to a complaint.

National Guard Troops Were Quietly Withdrawn from Some U.S. Cities

MSN – Tara Copp and Alex Horton (Washington Post) | Published: 2/11/2026

The Trump administration has withdrawn all federalized National Guard troops from U.S. cities, after its repeated attempts to surge forces into Democratic-run states encountered judicial roadblocks. It is a remarkable turnabout after Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had insisted the mobilizations were necessary to combat what they claimed was unchecked violence and to support enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws.

Lutnick Distances Himself from Epstein, Says He Had Lunch on His Island

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 2/10/2026

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told members of Congress he and his family had lunch with Jeffrey Epstein on his Caribbean island, but he denied any suggestion he had a meaningful relationship with the convicted sex offender. Lutnick said last year that he and his wife decided to distance themselves from Epstein around 2005. But exchanges recently released by the Justice Department related to Epstein show Lutnick and Epstein continued to remain in contact after that.

Republicans Rarely Criticize Trump in His Second Term. A Racist Post Briefly Changed That

MSN – Matt Brown (Associated Press) | Published: 2/7/2026

President Trump received rare blowback from Republican lawmakers over a video posted to social media that included a racist image of former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, depicted as primates. Since Trump’s return to the White House, Republican lawmakers have tread carefully when disagreeing with the president, often communicating their concerns in private for fear of suffering his wrath.

DOJ Seeks to Undo Bannon’s Conviction for Defying Jan. 6 Subpoena

MSN – Salvador Rizzo and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 2/9/2026

The Justice Department is taking steps to throw out Stephen Bannon’s conviction for defying a congressional subpoena about the Capitol riot, its latest shift in a legal position to benefit a close ally of President Trump. The department asked the Supreme Court to send Bannon’s case back to the district court, where the U.S. attorney filed a separate motion seeking to dismiss the charges against him.

For $1 Million, Donors to U.S.A. Birthday Group Offered Access to Trump

Seattle Times – Kenneth Vogel, Lisa Friedman, and David Fahrenthold (New York Times) | Published: 2/8/2026

President Trump’s allies are offering access to him and other perks to donors who give at least $1 million to a new group supporting initiatives he is planning around the nation’s 250th birthday. The group, Freedom 250, has emerged as another vehicle, akin to the White House ballroom project, through which people and companies with interests before the Trump administration can make tax-deductible donations to gain access to, and seek favor with, a president who has maintained a keen interest in fundraising, and a willingness to use the levers of government power to reward financial supporters.

Man Who Tried to Shoot Trump at a Florida Golf Course Gets Life in Prison

Yahoo News – David Fischer (Associated Press) | Published: 2/4/2026

A man convicted of trying to assassinate President Trump on a Florida golf course in 2024 was sentenced to life in prison. Ryan Routh was convicted of trying to assassinate a major presidential candidate, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm as a felon, and using a gun with a defaced serial number.

State Election Officials Brace for Possible Trump Interference in Midterm Results

Yahoo News – Erin Doherty and Andrew Howard (Politico) | Published: 2/6/2026

Top bipartisan election officials from around the country are growing increasingly alarmed by what they see as President Trump’s unprecedented push to interfere in the midterm elections. A series of recent moves – from his administration’s requests for access to state voter rolls to a surprise FBI raid at a Fulton County election office – have solidified those concerns, with more than a dozen election officials from both parties saying they fear Trump is laying the groundwork to undermine results still months away.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Orr: Bill would close nonprofit ‘loophole’ in campaign finance law

Alabama Daily News – Mary Sell | Published: 2/10/2026

Nonprofit organizations making campaign contributions in Alabama would have to report their donors under recently filed legislation. Senate Bill 220 would require nonprofits that make contributions to register as “political donor organizations” and report their activities on a schedule determined by the secretary of state.

California – Anaheim’s City Manager Resigns

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 2/3/2026

Anaheim City Manager Jim Vanderpool, whose tenure was plagued by a City Hall corruption scandal, resigned amid renewed scrutiny and questions over his close ties to resort interests investigated by FBI agents. Recently, Vanderpool started facing questions on why he did not disclose he went on an Anaheim Chamber of Commerce paid trip to Lake Havasu with city officials about to vote to finalize the chamber-backed Angel Stadium deal in 2020.

Georgia – Georgia Senate Passes Bill to Police Out-of-State Campaign Money

Capitol Beat News Service – Mark Niesse | Published: 2/5/2026

Millions of dollars of out-of-state campaign money flowing into Georgia could soon be more strongly policed in the wake of mysterious political ads and big spending on recent elections. A bipartisan state Senate passed a bill that allows the state’s ethics commission to seek subpoenas against groups or individuals located in other states who are suspected of breaking Georgia campaign finance laws, such as contribution limits or transparency requirements.

Georgia – FBI Cited Debunked Claims to Obtain Warrant for Fulton County Vote Records, Documents Show

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 2/10/2026

The FBI relied heavily on previously debunked claims of widespread election irregularities in Georgia as it persuaded a federal judge to sign off on plans to seize 2020 voting records from the state’s most populous county, court documents show. In a pair of search warrant affidavits, authorities said they were seeking evidence that would determine whether “deficiencies” in the vote tabulation in Fulton County, home to Atlanta, were the result of intentional wrongdoing that could constitute a crime.

Georgia – Fulton County Goes to Court to Demand Return of Ballots Seized by FBI

MSN – Mark Berman and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 2/4/2026

Officials in Georgia filed a court challenge seeking the return of scores of election records seized by federal agents from a warehouse in Fulton County, which has been central to right-wing conspiracy theories about President Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election. Robb Pitts, chairperson of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, vowed that county officials would use “every resource” to secure ballots and other material and cast the court fight as part of a broader effort to ensure the future of independent elections.

Hawaii – $35K Case: New development sparks calls for independent probe

Honolulu Civil Beat – Christina Jedra | Published: 2/10/2026

A coalition of government accountability advocates is calling on the Hawaii attorney general to recuse herself from the investigation into a lawmaker who took $35,000 in a paper bag and instead appoint an independent prosecutor. The demand comes after Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke told multiple media organizations that she might be the “influential” state lawmaker the Department of Justice identified during a federal bribery investigation. Luke said she did not take that much, and it came in the form of two campaign contribution checks over dinner.

Indiana – Jennifer-Ruth Green Broke State Ethics Law. Her Donors Helped Pay Her Legal Expenses

MSN – Hayleigh Colombo and Ryan Murphy (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 2/11/2026

Former congressional candidate Jennifer-Ruth Green launched her short-lived campaign amid a state ethics investigation into her conduct as part of Indiana Gov. Mike Braun’s cabinet before dropping out of the race about three months later. But she used her federal campaign account to pay for legal expenses associated with the probe, a move that is raising red flags with campaign finance and ethics experts.

Maryland – Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Said He’s Working with Judges on Redistricting, Prompting Ethics Concerns

MSN – Tinashe Chingarande (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 2/9/2026

When asked recently if Maryland Courts might strike down his efforts to redraw congressional districts to stamp out the state’s only Republican seat, Gov. Wes Moore told “MS NOW” his team has been “working with judges” to prepare for legal challenges. The statement raised ethical red flags among some law professors and Republicans.

Michigan – Departing Head of Major State Government Agency Registers as Lobbyist

MSN – Paul Egan (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 2/4/2026

A former member of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s cabinet has registered as a Lansing lobbyist, days after resigning as director of a major state government agency, prompting renewed “revolving door” concerns in Michigan. Michelle Lange, who stepped down as director of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget on January 31, registered as a lobbyist with the law firm Dykema on February 3, state records show.

Missouri – Missouri House Backs Bill to Ban Candidates from Using Automatic Recurring Donations

Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 2/4/2026

A bill aimed at curbing the use of automatically recurring campaign donations, a fundraising tactic employed by a prominent Republican candidate, won first-round approval without opposition in the Missouri House. The bill would prohibit candidates from setting up recurring contributions without explicit authorization from donors. It also would require campaigns to shut off recurring donations once an election is over.

Nebraska – Pillen Team Offers New Explanation for Timing of $2.5 Million No-Bid Emergency Contract

MSN – Aaron Sanderford (Nebraska Examiner) | Published: 2/5/2026

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s administration, facing scrutiny for a no-bid emergency contract with a lobbyist to whom he steered more than $2 million in state money, again changed its story about how and why the contract was awarded. A gubernatorial spokesperson said Global Sustainability LLC executive Julie Bushell had already been helping the state, free of charge, boost a federal grant application during the Biden administration, so it made sense to award the formal contract to her once lawmakers approved the funding for it. But that is at least the third different story the Pillen administration has told about the contract.

Nevada – Lombardo’s 2025 Campaign Fundraising Heavily Reliant on Donors Using Legal Loophole to Give More

MSN – Eric Neugeboren (Nevada Independent) | Published: 2/8/2026

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s 2025 campaign fundraising haul of $4.3 million relied heavily on so-called bundling arrangements, where donors are easily and legally able to skirt contribution limits by sending donations through different names. About $1.9 million of Lombardo’s fundraising total came from these kinds of arrangements, which The Nevada Independent defined as donations from entities with known connections or with the same listed address that totaled more than the single-cycle contribution limit. This made up about 44 percent of his campaign’s haul.

New York – Conflicts Board Slaps Adams for Cuomo Whistle Low Blow

MSN – Katie Honan (The City) | Published: 2/9/2026

Former Mayor Eric Adams was fined $4,000 for an August 2025 press conference where he ordered City Hall staff to buy whistles to make a political opponent look bad. Adams had his staffers put whistles on reporters’ chairs as dig at Andrew Cuomo who was running for New York City mayor and faced sexual harassment allegations as governor.

Ohio – Jury Can Hear How HB 6 Hiked Electric Bills in FirstEnergy Bribery Trial

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/9/2026

Prosecutors can tell a jury in the FirstEnergy bribery trial that customers’ electricity rates spiked because of the House Bill 6 scandal that erupted in 2019, a judge ruled. Assistant Ohio Attorney General Matthew Meyer had argued in a prior hearing the evidence was crucial to prosecutors’ case that former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and onetime top lobbyist Michael Dowling paid a $4.3 million bribe to former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo.

Ohio – Former FirstEnergy Lawyer Says He Was Troubled by Randazzo Agreement

MSN – Patrick Williams (Akron Beacon Journal) | Published: 2/10/2026

A former lawyer for FirstEnergy said he was not sure why the company agreed to pay Sam Randazzo hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for five years. Mark Hayden formerly worked as an attorney at FirstEnergy Services Co., a subsidiary of the Akron-based electric utility. Hayden testified he held “a number of concerns” about an agreement that FirstEnergy Services Company had with Sam Randazzo, who at the time was a prominent attorney in the energy space. Later, in 2019, Randazzo became chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, a state regulatory agency.

Oregon – Oregon House Republicans Test Rule Barring Political Donations During Session

KLCC – Dirk VanderHart (OPB) | Published: 2/6/2026

The rules of Oregon’s House of Representatives are clear: representatives cannot accept campaign donations during a legislative session. As he runs for governor, state Rep. Ed Diehl is doing it anyway. The contributions buck decades of practice in the House, but they also might be perfectly legitimate.

Oregon – Key Pieces of Oregon’s Campaign Finance Overhaul Could Be Delayed Under Democrats’ Proposal

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 2/10/2026

Two years after Oregon lawmakers approved new limits on and oversight of political contributions, a top Democrat has proposed delaying major pieces of the campaign finance law, leaving the limits intact but pushing back some other provisions by several years. An amended version of House Bill 4018 represents the first substantial step that lawmakers have taken to refine the 2024 law since they rushed to craft and approve the policy. Key aspects of the law, including the limits on campaign contributions, are set to go into effect next January.

Texas – Austin Officials Correct Campaign Donation Cap After Providing Incorrect Information

MSN – Chaya Tong (Austin American-Statesman) | Published: 2/6/2026

Individual donors to Austin City Council candidates may contribute up to $500 per election, not $450 as previously stated by city officials. The clarification follows recent reporting that raised questions about whether Councilperson Paige Ellis had accepted campaign contributions exceeding the city’s individual contribution limit. At the time, both Ellis and the city told the media the limit was $450.

Virginia – Virginia Democrats Quickly Approve Proposed Redistricting Map

MSN – Gregory Schneider (Washington Post) | Published: 2/10/2026

Virginia Democrats approved legislation setting out proposed political maps that could give them a 10-to-one advantage in the state’s congressional districts during elections this fall, setting the stage to send the matter to Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The maps are part of a multistep process that still faces a legal challenge and would have to be approved by state voters before going into effect.

February 12, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Alabama: “Orr: Bill would close nonprofit ‘loophole’ in campaign finance law” by Mary Sell for Alabama Daily News Indiana: “Jennifer-Ruth Green Broke State Ethics Law. Her Donors Helped Pay Her Legal Expenses” by Hayleigh Colombo and Ryan Murphy […]

February 11, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Georgia: “Georgia Senate Passes Bill to Police Out-of-State Campaign Money” by Mark Niesse for Capitol Beat News Service National: “This Supreme Court Decision Could Upend Millions in Political Spending Ahead of the Midterms. Here’s How the Parties Are […]

February 10, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Missouri: “Missouri House Backs Bill to Ban Candidates from Using Automatic Recurring Donations” by Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) for Yahoo News Oregon: “Oregon House Republicans Test Rule Barring Political Donations During Session” by Dirk VanderHart (OPB) for KLCC […]

February 6, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – February 6, 2026

National/Federal Don Lemon Arrested by Federal Officials in Connection with Church Protest MSN – Perry Stein, Molly Hennessy-Fiske, and Maeve Reston (Washington Post) | Published: 1/30/2026 Federal authorities arrested independent journalist Don Lemon, accusing him of violating congregants’ constitutional right […]

National/Federal

Don Lemon Arrested by Federal Officials in Connection with Church Protest

MSN – Perry Stein, Molly Hennessy-Fiske, and Maeve Reston (Washington Post) | Published: 1/30/2026

Federal authorities arrested independent journalist Don Lemon, accusing him of violating congregants’ constitutional right to worship when he entered a church in Minnesota with protesters who were demonstrating against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. A magistrate judge had rejected an earlier attempt by the Justice Department to bring charges against Lemon and other protesters. But Justice Department officials, who had vowed to bring charges against Lemon, went to a federal grand jury and obtained an indictment.

Justice Department Releases Large Cache of Additional Epstein Files

MSN – Perry Stein and Amy Wang Reston (Washington Post) | Published: 1/30/2026

The Justice Department released what it said were 3 million more pages from the investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the latest drop in the agency’s troubled scramble to comply with a federal law that requires the public release of files from the high-profile case. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said this tranche of files, which include 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, is expected to be the last major release of Epstein materials.

Judge Ordered 5-Year-Old Released, but Data Shows ICE Is Detaining More Kids

MSN – Arelis Hernández and María Luisa Paúl (Washington Post) | Published: 2/1/2026

The five-year-old boy, in a blue knit bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack, was returning from preschool when immigration officers detained him in late January in Minneapolis. A few days later, officers there took custody of a two-year-old girl after breaking her family’s car window. They are among an escalating number of children swept up in the Trump administration’s enforcement dragnet, which has drawn mounting public outrage over its aggressive tactics and increasingly indiscriminate ramifications.

DOJ Misconduct Complaint Against D.C. Federal Judge Dismissed

MSN – Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) | Published: 1/31/2026

A judicial misconduct complaint against Chief U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg was dismissed because the Justice Department failed to show he exhibited bias against the Trump administration. The misconduct complaint was filed last year by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s then-chief of staff, Chad Mizelle, in an unusual move that showed how President Trump and his allies have ramped up attacks against federal judges across the country for stopping, slowing, or criticizing the administration’s signature initiatives.

Bill and Hillary Clinton Agree to Testify in House Epstein Investigation, Ahead of Contempt Vote

MSN – Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 2/2/2026

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said agreed to speak with members of the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Their announcement came days before the House planned to vote on whether to find the pair in contempt of Congress for refusing to sit for closed-door, transcribed depositions with the committee regarding Epstein.

Defense Dept. Effort to Punish Mark Kelly Draws Skepticism from Judge

MSN – Salvador Rizzo, Tara Copp, and Jasmine Golden (Washington Post) | Published: 2/3/2026

A federal judge sharply questioned the legality of the Defense Department’s efforts to censure and possibly demote Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, over his public criticism of the Trump administration. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to be expanding restrictions on free speech that have applied only to active-duty service members, not military retirees.

Election Officials Grapple with a Brain Drain as Threats Rise

MSN – Andrew Howard (Politico) | Published: 2/3/2026

Increasingly violent threats toward and harassment of public officials are driving more and more of those figures out of their jobs, a particular concern among local election officials, who have struggled with attrition for years. In the years since the 2020 election, roughly 50 percent of top local election officials across 11 western states have left their jobs since November 2020. The election administration world has been grappling with a significant brain drain since the 2020 pandemic and threats arising from conspiracy theories surrounding that year’s election.

Standoff Over ICE Tactics Could Trigger Another Partial Government Shutdown

MSN – Theodoric Meyer and Arelis Hernández (Washington Post) | Published: 2/4/2026

Congress is staring down another partial government shutdown unless Democrats strike a deal with President Trump and Republicans over new restrictions on federal immigration authorities, and some key lawmakers in both parties are not optimistic. Democratic lawmakers are seeking, among other things, tighter rules governing the use of warrants, independent investigations of alleged misconduct, and a ban on masks for federal immigration agents. Senate Democrats threatened to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security once it expires at the end of the day on February 13 if Republicans do not embrace the restrictions.

Trump Officials Awarded Venezuela Oil-Sale Contracts to Firms Tied to Bribery

MSN – Anthony Faiola and Evan Halper (Washington Post) | Published: 1/29/2026

Two global trading houses that brokered an opaque deal with the Trump administration to sell Venezuelan oil were previously prosecuted for bribery schemes involving oil sales elsewhere, underscoring concerns by anti-corruption experts and lawmakers that the arrangement is vulnerable to abuse. The administration granted confidential licenses to Vitol and Trafigura to sell Venezuelan oil with little independent oversight. The licenses come a year after the Trump administration gutted the foreign corrupt practices unit of the Justice Department, which brought charges against the two companies and their traders in 2020 and 2024.

The Washington Post, Owned by Jeff Bezos, Makes Dramatic Cuts

Yahoo News – Finya Swai (Politico) | Published: 2/4/2026

The Washington Post told employees it will begin sweeping layoffs, the latest blow to the storied newspaper under owner Jeff Bezos, confirming weeks of speculation about drastic newsroom cuts. The size and scope of the layoffs are not immediately clear. But hundreds of Post employees could lose their jobs, with sections including sports, metro, books, and international coverage hit particularly hard.

House Probe Finds ‘Substantial Evidence’ of Criminal Misconduct, Ethics Violations by Cherfilus-McCormick

Yahoo News – Anthony Man (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) | Published: 1/29/2026

An investigative subcommittee that spent months examining U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick found “substantial evidence of conduct” described in a criminal indictment against her last year and is bringing multiple charges against her. In November, Cherfilus-McCormick and other alleged co-conspirators were indicted on charges described by the Justice Department as “stealing federal disaster funds, laundering the proceeds, and using the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign.?”

Judge Says Trump Administration Must Let Lawmakers Make Unannounced Visits to ICE Detention Facilities

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 2/2/2026

A federal judge ruled the Department of Homeland Security likely broke the law when it barred members of Congress from visiting immigrant detention facilities without a week’s notice. U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb found that in crafting and enforcing the one-week-notice policy, the department relied on funds Congress specifically forbade from being used to deny lawmakers access to those facilities.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Homer Rep. Vance Faces Ethics Probe Over Official Letter Pressuring Newspaper

Alaska Public Media – Eric Stone | Published: 1/29/2026

The Alaska House ethics committee launched an investigation into whether Rep. Sarah Vance illegally used state resources when she successfully pushed the local newspaper to remove and revise a story. The newspaper’s owner, Alabama-based Carpenter Media Group, removed, revised, and reposted the story without the reporter’s byline. Carpenter told the Columbia Journalism Review the article did not meet its standards.

California – All Lobbying Contracts Will Be Posted on City of Fresno’s Website Under New Law

MSN – Thaddeus Miller (Fresno Bee) | Published: 1/29/2026

The Fresno City Council adopted a plan to post lobbying contracts on the city’s website to increase transparency. The city has historically not required public reporting of contracts that fall below the $100,000-a-year threshold, which left room for a lobbyist or consultant to exceed the payout if they were paid in multiple contracts that were individually less than $100,000.

California – Corruption Case Against L.A. Councilmember Curren Price Can Move to Trial, Judge Rules

MSN – James Queally (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 1/29/2026

A judge ruled a corruption case against Los Angeles City Councilperson Curren Price can move forward to trial, ensuring the misconduct scandal will hang over the veteran politician’s final year in office. The judge determined prosecutors provided enough evidence to move forward on four counts of voting on matters in which Price had a conflict-of-interest, four counts of embezzlement, and four counts of perjury.

California – Supreme Court Clears Way for California Voting Map That Bolsters Democrats

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 2/4/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed for now a new California voting map that could help Democrats gain up to five seats in Congress, the latest twist in a national fight seeking advantage in this year’s midterm elections. The ruling will remain in effect while a lawsuit challenging California’s map works its way through the courts. The Supreme Court ruled in December that the Texas map was constitutional, so many legal experts expected the justices to approve the California map as well.

California – Oakland Councilmember Asked City Contractor to Fund Her Nonprofit

Oaklandside – Eli Wolfe | Published: 2/3/2026

Partygoers gathered to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in a Jack London Square event hall in October, watching dance performances, listening to music, and eating heaps of catered food. The free bash was put on by Tiger Arts, a nonprofit created by Oakland City Councilperson Janani Ramachandran. But government ethics experts say the way the event was paid for raises questions about elected officials’ fundraising activities, specifically around behested payments in which public officials are allowed to act as the middlemen soliciting unlimited amounts of money from companies and foundations for other organizations.

Georgia – DNI Gabbard Put Trump on the Phone with FBI Agents Who Searched Fulton County Elections Office, Sources Say

MSN – Kristen Holmes (CNN) | Published: 2/2/2026

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard put President Trump on the phone with some of the FBI agents who conducted a controversial search of an elections office in Fulton County, Georgia, sources said. The unusual call underscores Trump’s involvement and interest in the probe of alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election. One source said Trump directed Gabbard to go to Atlanta for the search, and Gabbard herself confirmed that in a letter to top Democrats on the House and Senate Intelligence committees.

Illinois – Veteran Lobbyist with Clients That Regularly Intersect with City Hall Weighs Run for Chicago Mayor

Chicago Sun-Times – Robert Herguth | Published: 1/29/2026

Mayor Brandon Johnson has personal and political entanglements with one of the more powerful special interests in the city, the Chicago Teachers Union. One of his likely challengers in the 2027 mayoral election, longtime lobbyist John Kelly, would have to deal with his own potential conflicts-of-interest if elected, largely because a number of his existing lobbying clients intersect with City Hall, and might also in the future.

Indiana – Hogsett Promised a ‘One-Stop Shop’ Ethics Portal. Ten Years Later, It Doesn’t Exist

MSN – Tony Cook (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 1/29/2026

Ethics filings, city contracts, and campaign finance reports can help citizens keep a watchful eye on their government, but right now they are spread across the city website. They are difficult to search, and in some cases, they are not online at all. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett recognized this problem and campaigned on fixing it. Once in office, he signed into law an ordinance requiring the city’s legal office to create “an online citizen information portal.” But 10 years later, no such portal exists.

Kentucky – KY Legislature Considers Ethics Commission Changes Amid Grossberg Case

MSN – Lucas Aulbach (Louisville Courier-Journal) | Published: 1/29/2026

A bill is pending in the House that would significantly alter operations within the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission by putting the House speaker and Senate president in charge of employing its leader and staff and allowing the commission to fine or require attorney fees to be paid by a person who files a complaint that is found to be frivolous, improper or containing “factual allegations which lack any evidentiary support.” The sponsors of House Bill 272 both said the bill will likely undergo changes before moving forward.

Kentucky – Embattled KY Rep. Grossberg Settles with Public Reprimand, Waives Ethics Hearing

Yahoo News – Austin Horn and Alex Acquisto (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 2/2/2026

The long saga between Rep. Daniel Grossberg and the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission came to a quiet end when Grossberg agreed to a settlement and reprimand just before a public hearing into his conduct was set to take place. As part of the agreement, Grossberg accepted two $1,000 fines for two of the three instances where the commission found probable cause and brought charges.

Maine – Maine Democratic Party Faces Ethics Probe Tied to Voter ID Referendum

Portland Press Herald – Billy Kobin | Published: 1/29/2026

Maine’s ethics commission will open an investigation into the state Democratic Party’s disclosed spending against last year’s unsuccessful referendum to enact voter ID requirements and new limits on absentee voting. The commission voted unanimously to investigate the party in response to a complaint from conservative activist Alex Titcomb, who spearheaded the referendum, Question 1. Maine voters resoundingly defeated the ballot initiative in November.

Maryland – Moore Campaign Accepted, Then Returned, Donations from Executive Tied to Firm Seeking State Contract

Yahoo News – Jeff Barker (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 1/29/2026

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s campaign accepted, then returned, contributions from a donor and political ally who co-hosted a fundraiser for Moore while linked to a bidder seeking a large state contract. The donor, Terry Speigner, is a former chair of the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee and president of NGEN, an IT services company that works with state and federal agencies. His firm was a subcontractor on a bid by Intralot, a Greek gaming company vying for a contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars to oversee Maryland’s lottery operations.

Minnesota – In Minneapolis, All-Encompassing Immigration Story Tests a Newsroom in Midst of Digital Transition

MSN – David Bauder (Associated Press) | Published: 2/1/2026

With the eyes of a nation fixed on the unrest in Minneapolis, the events have not left local journalists overmatched. The Minnesota Star Tribune has broken stories, including the identity of the immigration enforcement officer who shot Renee Good, and produced a variety of informative and instructive pieces. At a time when many regional newspapers have become hollowed-out shells due to the decline in journalism as a business, the Star Tribune has kept staffing relatively steady. It rebranded itself from the Minneapolis Star Tribune and committed itself to a digital transformation.

Mississippi – Senate Moves Campaign-Finance Reform. House Panel Promptly Kills

Mississippi Today – Taylor Vance | Published: 2/2/2026

A Senate committee approved legislation to reform Mississippi’s notoriously lax campaign finance laws, while a House committee made clear it has no intentions of even considering it. The Senate Elections Committee approved a bill that would require local and state candidates to file reports online, cap cash contributions from any donor to candidates at $1,000 and corporate donations, cash or otherwise, to $1,000 a year. But the House Elections Committee, on the same day defeated a similar measure with no discussion.

New Jersey – Why This Powerful NJ Political Boss Keeps Beating Corruption Charges

MSN – Ted Sherman (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 1/30/2026

In another rebuke to the state attorney general’s office, an appeals court upheld the dismissal of a sweeping corruption indictment against Democratic power broker George Norcross III. The three‑judge panel found prosecutors failed to show the South Jersey political boss had committed any crime, and some of the charges were also barred by the statute of limitations.

New Jersey – Big Donors Had Access to Mikie Sherrill at Inaugural Ball. But the Public Won’t Have Access to the Donor List

Yahoo News – Matt Friedman and Daniel Han (Politico) | Published: 2/1/2026

At an Italian restaurant at American Dream mall, incoming Mikie Sherrill moved table to table to speak with business executives, lobbyists, and union leaders. The minimum price to attend was $100,000. The big-dollar donations to dine with the then-incoming New Jersey went toward her inaugural festivities. The six-figure contributions came despite a $500 limit in state law on inaugural donations. But through a loophole, donors were asked to give over $250,000, and a comprehensive list of their identities and donations may never be public.

Ohio – Ohio Newspapers Sue Judge Overseeing FirstEnergy Trial. Here’s Why

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/29/2026

Three Ohio newspapers are asking the Ohio Supreme Court to immediately block enforcement of media restrictions imposed by a Summit County judge overseeing the high-profile trial of ex-FirstEnergy executives. The papers argue the orders amount to unlawful prior restraints on the press as they seek to follow the trial of Chuck Jones and Mike Dowling.

Ohio – Trial of Ex-FirstEnergy Executives Charged in $60M Ohio Bribery Scheme Begins

MSN – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 2/3/2026

The $4.3 million payment FirstEnergy made to Sam Randazzo in 2019, shortly before he was appointed as Ohio’s top utility regulator, is at the center of the latest criminal trial in a $60 million bribery scandal. Prosecutors allege then-FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and then-FirstEnergy Services Senior Vice President Michael Dowling played roles in orchestrating the payout to Randazzo in exchange for regulatory and legislative favors he would later deliver to the company. Both men argue the money was a lump sum settling Randazzo’s consulting agreement with the company.

Pennsylvania – Lawmaker Whose Second Job Running Trade Group Raised Ethics Concerns Says He’s Stepping Down

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 1/28/2026

A Pennsylvania lawmaker who simultaneously lead a trade group that pays a lobbyist to influence state government resigned. State Rep. Seth Grove said last May that he would retire at the end of his current term. That same month, the Pennsylvania Concrete and Aggregates Association announced it had appointed Grove to a leadership position he would assume in 2026, a trade industry publication reported. He began serving as chief executive officer on January 1 of this year. While allowed under the state’s lax ethics laws, the arrangement raised concerns among some Democratic colleagues and at least one ethics expert.

Texas – In Texas, Democrats Narrow GOP’s U.S. House Majority, Win Upset in State Senate

MSN – Brianna Tucker (Washington Post) | Published: 2/1/2026

Democrats narrowed Republicans’ U.S. House majority and flipped a state Senate seat on conservative terrain in a pair of special election runoffs in Texas with national implications. In special elections and other local races over the past year, Democrats have largely outperformed Republicans. National Democratic leaders have pointed to the results, along with sweeping victories in last fall’s elections, as reasons for optimism heading into this fall’s midterms.

February 5, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections National: “Election Officials Grapple with a Brain Drain as Threats Rise” by Andrew Howard (Politico) for MSN Ethics California: “Oakland Councilmember Asked City Contractor to Fund Her Nonprofit” by Eli Wolfe for Oaklandside National: “Defense Dept. Effort to Punish […]

February 4, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections Georgia: “DNI Gabbard Put Trump on the Phone with FBI Agents Who Searched Fulton County Elections Office, Sources Say” by Kristen Holmes (CNN) for MSN Ethics National: “DOJ Misconduct Complaint Against D.C. Federal Judge Dismissed” by Salvador Rizzo (Washington […]

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