National/Federal

Campaigns Say They’ll Match Political Contributions. It’s Not Clear How They Would Do That
Center for Responsive Politics – Jessica Piper | Published: 8/2/2019

Matching – when campaigns tell donors that their contributions will be equaled or multiplied by an unknown source – has emerged as a relatively common fundraising tool among groups across the political spectrum in recent years. Limited-time matching gives ideological supporters extra incentive to contribute to a campaign they care about. But legal experts say it is hard to see how donation matching could happen given campaign contribution limits. And there are no accountability mechanisms to determine whether campaigns actually follow through with their promises.

Cesar Sayoc Gets 20 Years for Mail-Bomb Spree
Courthouse News Service – Adam Klasfeld | Published: 8/5/2019

Last October, a fanatical devotee of President Donald Trump mailed out bombs to perceived critics, and, prosecutors say, reveled in the national headlines as those attacks terrorized a nation. Defense attorneys attributed Cesar Sayoc’s mail-bomb activity in part to fervor for Trump’s rhetoric. Prosecutors characterized his spree as a “two-week terrorist attack.” In sentencing Cesar Sayoc to 20 years in prison, a federal judge emphasized the need to look closely at both the crimes and their perpetrator. “It is perhaps then not surprising that someone of Mr. Sayoc’s emotionally fragile nature not only became infatuated with a public figure, in this case Donald Trump, but also came to view Mr. Trump’s political opponents as demons who were out to destroy not just Mr. Trump but Mr. Sayoc as well,” said U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff.

De Blasio Pulled in a Cash Cushion from Unusual Campaign Finance Setup
Politico – Joe Anuta and Sally Goldenberg | Published: 8/7/2019

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s struggling presidential campaign benefited from a six-figure boost unavailable to candidates who set up routine exploratory committees and the move has already resulted in formal complaints to the FEC. An analysis found the mayor accepted roughly $234,000 in additional contributions from 37 donors who had already given the maximum permissible amount to his campaign account – $2,800 for a primary race. Those donors went above the federally established limit by giving to two PACs that assisted in the presidential effort but were not governed by the same rules. The extra money helped him explore a run for president without setting up a formal exploratory committee.

DNC Rules Could Expand, Not Shrink, Future Debate Stage
Politico – Zach Montellaro | Published: 8/5/2019

Democratic presidential hopefuls at risk of being elbowed out by the debate rules may have gotten a last-minute reprieve. To reach the stage, candidates have to get two percent in four Democratic National Committee (DNC) -approved polls and have 130,000 unique donors. That is a bar the majority of field has not hit and is not on track to do so. But a DNC memo sent to all the campaigns essentially gives those candidates who miss the September debate more time to qualify for the October debate, which could very well feature more candidates, not fewer.

El Paso Shooting Suspect’s Manifesto Echoes Trump’s Language
MSN – Peter Baker and Michael Shear (New York Times) | Published: 8/4/2019

At campaign rallies before last year’s midterm elections, President Trump repeatedly warned that America was under attack by immigrants heading for the border. “You look at what is marching up, that is an invasion!” he declared at one rally. Nine months later, a 21-year-old white man is accused of opening fire in a Walmart in El Paso, killing 22 people and injuring dozens more after writing a manifesto railing against immigration and announcing that “this attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.” The suspect wrote that his views “predate Trump,” as if anticipating the political debate that would follow the carnage. But if Trump did not originally inspire the gunman, he has brought into the mainstream polarizing ideas and people once consigned to the fringes of American society.

House Democrats File Lawsuit to Enforce Subpoena Against McGahn
The Hill – Olivia Beavers, Jacqueline Thomsen, and Morgan Chalfant | Published: 8/7/2019

House Judiciary Committee Chairperson Jerrold Nadler filed a civil lawsuit to enforce a subpoena for testimony from Don McGahn, the former White House counsel who at the Trump administration’s direction defied lawmakers’ request to appear before the committee. Lawyers for Judiciary Committee Democrats described McGahn as both “critical” and the “most important fact witness” before the lawsuit was filed, noting he witnessed key obstruction episodes examined by special counsel Robert Mueller. Those incidents include President Trump ordering McGahn to remove the special counsel in the middle of his investigation, which McGahn refused to do, and Trump directing McGahn to create a false record surrounding the incident.

How Gun Control Groups Are Catching Up to the N.R.A.
MSN – Reid Epstein, Maggie Astor, and Danny Hakim (New York Times) | Published: 8/4/2019

The political momentum in the gun control debate has shifted in the year leading up to the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, with gun control advocates taking a more empowered stance and the National Rifle Association (NRA) consumed by internal power struggles. The major gun control organizations, propelled by funding from wealthy supporters and grassroots networks across the country, have helped enact new laws, and, for the first time in 25 years, passed a significant gun control bill in the House. But the NRA’s structural advantages, built over decades and defended by President Trump and congressional Republicans, remain in place. The net effect is a playing field on gun issues that is far more level than it has been since NRA-backed Republicans took over Congress in 1994.

Joaquin Castro Tweeted the Names of Top Trump Donors. Republicans Say It Will Encourage Violence.
Philadelphia Inquirer – Michael Brice-Saddler (Washington Post) | Published: 8/6/2019

The 44 names that U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Tex.) tweeted have at least two things in common: they are all constituents in his district, and moreover, they all donated the maximum amount to President Trump’s campaign this year. The congressman and brother of presidential hopeful Julián Castro said the people listed – including retirees, business owners, and other individuals whose names are public record – were “fueling a campaign of hate.” Republican lawmakers and others contended Castro was “targeting” the listed donors by tweeting their names to his thousands of followers; a serious accusation in the aftermath of two mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton that left 31 people dead and many more wounded.

Judge Dismisses 1 of 2 Charges Against Greg Craig
Politico – Josh Gerstein and Theodoric Meyer | Published: 8/6/2019

Greg Craig, a who served as the first White House counsel in the Obama administration, scored a pretrial win as a judge threw out one of two charges in a false-statement case against him stemming from former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson concluded that a 2013 letter he sent to the Justice Department’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) office was not part of any formal FARA filing, so could not be the basis for a charge under a law barring false FARA submissions. Despite the defense’s victory on that point, Craig is still set to face a jury trial on another false-statement charge relating to what prosecutors say was an attempt to deceive investigators about his role in promoting a report he prepared on behalf of the Ukrainian government in 2012 about its corruption prosecution of former President Yulia Tymoshenko.

McConnell’s Campaign Locked Out by Twitter for Posting Critic’s Profanity-Laced Video
Louisville Courier-Journal – Ben Tobin and Phillip Bailey | Published: 8/7/2019

After sharing a video of a profanity-laced protest, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s campaign Twitter account, Team Mitch, has been locked out. Twitter’s policy states that users “may not threaten violence against an individual or a group of people” and the social network prohibits “the glorification of violence.” The video shows a group of protesters gathered outside McConnell’s Louisville home. Black Lives Matter Louisville leader Chanelle Helm is heard on the video mocking McConnell’s recent shoulder injury and saying he “should have broken his little, raggedy, wrinkled-ass neck.” She then yells, “Just stab the m—– f—– in the heart, please.” Someone also yells, “Die!”

Proposed FEC Rule Would Further Constrain Foreign Election Contributions
National Public Radio – Philip Ewing | Published: 8/1/2019

The FEC proposed new rules to outlaw exchanges like the one that took place when a Russian delegation visited Trump Tower in 2016 to offer Donald Trump’s campaign “dirt” on Democrats. Although U.S. law already forbids contributions from foreigners to American political campaigns, President Trump has said the meeting taken by his son, Donald Trump Jr., and others was business as usual and that everybody in politics accepts “opposition research.” There is a difference, though, between material obtained by specialists working for a campaign and information provided by a foreign government, FEC Chairperson Ellen Weintraub says. She restated that distinction earlier this year and the new rule would refine it even more precisely with a written description of what is forbidden.

Puerto Rico Supreme Court Ousts New Governor, and Another Is Sworn In
New York Times – Alejandra Rosa, Patricia Mazzei, and Frances Robles | Published: 8/7/2019

The uneasy calm that had settled over Puerto Rico after huge protests brought down one governor and a second one was installed in his place ended when its Supreme Court ruled the only way to maintain the constitutional order was to swear in the island’s third governor in a week. After the ruling, Pedro Pierluisi, who had filled the position since August 2, stepped down. Wanda Vázquez, the former secretary of justice, took the oath as governor, just the second woman to hold the office. And Puerto Rico was thrust into a new period of political tumult over how long the unpopular Vázquez might remain on the job, and what machinations might be underway to prepare for her possible succession.

The Darkest Money in Washington: Business groups spend more on advocacy and consulting than lobbying
MapLight.org – Andrew Perez, Abigail Luke, and Tim Zelina | Published: 8/6/2019

The IRS has approved thousands of applications for nonprofit status for groups known as 501(c)(6) organizations, which range from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which spends more on lobbying than any other trade organization, to the Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists. Their influence has grown since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision allowed them to spend directly on politics. The groups spent $535 million on lobbying in 2017 and as much as another $675 million on unregulated efforts to influence public policy. The figures highlight how business interests can exploit loopholes in lobbying rules, which do not cover many staples of modern influence campaigns, such as strategic consulting, media relations, and social media posts, or even the financing of so-called astroturf campaigns.

Trump Judges Face Scrutiny Over President’s Cases
The Hill – Naomi Jagoda and Jacqueline Thomsen | Published: 8/4/2019

Federal judges nominated by President Trump are facing a major public test as they handle cases that involve Trump personally or some of his most controversial policies. New judges are already under pressure to carefully issue rulings as they learn the ropes of the federal judiciary. But three recently appointed District Court judges in the District of Columbia have found themselves and their rulings under a magnifying glass as they deal with cases involving Trump. All three of the Trump-tapped judges have acted as their colleagues on the bench typically do, proceeding cautiously in the recent cases. And while legal experts disagreed over whether the judges are facing additional pressure over their rulings, they agreed there is more attention on the cases, at least in the media.

Canada

Canada – No Criminal Charges in Allegations of Illegal Lobbying by Ford Advisers but OPP Refer Case to Ethics Watchdog
The Globe and Mail – Jim Mahoney | Published: 8/2/2019

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) completed its review of allegations of illegal lobbying by advisers to Premier Doug Ford and referred the matter to the province’s ethics watchdog. Investigators launched the review after an independent member of Provincial Parliament, Randy Hillier, alleged he was expelled from the Progressive Conservative caucus in part for raising concerns “of possible illegal and unregistered lobbying by close friends and advisers employed by Premier Ford.” Hillier said Ontario’s ethics laws are lacking and noted the Integrity Commissioner, rather than the OPP, has jurisdiction to investigate alleged misconduct under the Lobbyists Registration Act, which has a maximum penalty of a two-year lobbying ban.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – ‘Dark Money’ Expansion Remains on Hold While Court Decides Future of Law
Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) | Published: 8/5/2019

A judge will not let Arizona enforce a law opening the door for more “dark money” in campaigns while it appeals his ruling that the statute is unconstitutional. In a new ruling, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David Palmer rejected claims by an attorney for the state that it would be too confusing for organizations the Legislature exempted from campaign finance laws in 2017 to now have to obey those laws for the 2020 election. The judge instead sided with attorney Jim Barton, representing the Arizona Advocacy Network that challenged the 2017 law. He told Palmer it would be wrong to run the 2020 election under a law that, at least according to the judge, is unconstitutional.

California – Insurance Commissioner Accepted, Returned More Cash from Insurers Than Previously Known
San Diego Union-Tribune – Jeff McDonald | Published: 7/31/2019

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara accepted tens of thousands of dollars in additional political contributions from insurers than was previously known, according to a state-mandated campaign filing. The Ricardo Lara for Insurance Commissioner 2022 committee reported that it refunded $83,000 in donations during the six months ending on June 30. Lara was elected state insurance commissioner in November after pledging not to accept campaign funds from insurance companies. Recently he decided to return some $54,000 from insurance executives or their spouses after The San Diego Union-Tribune reported those contributions in early July. Lara also said in the wake of that report he would no longer serve as his own campaign treasurer.

California – Trump Wants to Keep His Tax Returns Private, Asks Courts to Stop California Law
Los Angeles Times – John Myers | Published: 8/6/2019

California’s first-in-the-nation law requiring presidential primary candidates to release their tax returns or be kept off the ballot was challenged in federal court by President Trump, the man who inspired its passage and whose attorneys argued state Democratic leaders had overstepped their constitutional authority. The lawsuit insists California cannot impose limits on ballot access for presidential hopefuls. Legal scholars have offered mixed opinions as to the constitutionality of Senate Bill 27. Some suggested because state Legislatures are given wide berth by the U.S. Constitution in choosing presidential electors, the law could be seen as a logical extension of that power. Others said the law could be thrown out on the same grounds as previous efforts in other states to link a congressional incumbent’s ballot access to how many terms the person had already served in the House.

Colorado – Aurora Lawmakers Unanimously Pass Wide-Reaching City Ethics Law
Sentinel Colorado – Madison Lauterbach | Published: 8/6/2019

Aurora lawmakers unanimously passed an ordinance creating an ethics commission and rules for local elected and select city officials. Prior to the vote, the ordinance would have prohibited city council members and the mayor from accepting gifts valued at more than $75. But Councilperson Charlie Richardson proposed that number be changed to $300 to keep “on the same page with Denver.” The ordinance will create an independent panel of retired judges tasked with investigating ethics complaints. The measure also sets out a variety of rules and standards intended to prevent council members from engaging in conflicts-of-interest.

Colorado – Colorado Approved a National Popular Vote Law. Now It Might Be Repealed.
Beaumont Enterprise – Emily Davies (Washington Post) | Published: 8/2/2019

Just a few months ago, Colorado agreed to radically rethink the way the president is chosen in the United States. The state joined a compact to award its electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. The plan would become law if states representing 270 electors join, ensuring the popular vote winner the presidency. (So far, 16 states, representing 196 electors, have joined.) That decision, approved by the state’s Democratic governor in March, prompted a serious backlash that culminated, when activists submitted a petition to repeal the law by referendum in 2020.

Colorado – New State Ethics Commissioner Debra Johnson Previously Investigated for Workplace Misconduct
Colorado Public Radio – Bente Berkeland | Published: 8/5/2019

A recently confirmed member of the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission was investigated in 2016 for workplace harassment, ultimately agreeing to undergo counseling and spend six months away from an office she oversaw to avoid contact with employees who complained about her conduct. The investigation of former Denver Clerk and Recorder Debra Johnson, and the resulting agreement, have not previously been known to the public. The city said there were no records of settlement payments made to Clerk’s office employees who may have complained about Johnson and Johnson now denies she harassed staff, though she apologized to a staff member soon after a complaint was made. “Allegations are allegations until they’re proven otherwise, and they were never proven otherwise,” Johnson said.

Florida – Curbelo’s Campaign and Office Paid $390K to a Friend Who Is Now His Business Partner
Miami Herald – Alex Daugherty | Published: 8/2/2019

During his final two years in office and for several months afterward, former U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo paid a Miami dentist and childhood friend with no political experience nearly $400,000 for political consulting, according to recent campaign records. And since losing his seat last November, he has spent thousands of dollars from his leadership PAC – called “What a Country!” – on wine and high-end restaurants. Now, Curbelo’s friend, JP Chavez, is his business partner in a communications and public affairs startup venture called Vocero LLC.

Florida – Former Jacksonville Public Defender Gave Away Guns, Money after Failed Re-election
Florida Times Union – Andew Pantazi | Published: 8/1/2019

After former Jacksonville Public Defender Matt Shirk was ousted from office in 2016, he spent or gave away tens of thousands of dollars on himself and his friends, including handing nine state-owned firearms to a motorcycle club without documentation. A new audit details the repeated ways that Shirk violated state law or policy before and after his failed re-election bid. Public records went missing during his final months in office. In one case, he gave away 10 computers just two days before leaving office. When the computers were recovered, the hard drives had been removed and wiped clean.

Florida – Scott Maddox, Florida’s Former Democratic Chair, Pleads Guilty in Probe
Tampa Bay Times – Dara Kam (News Service of Florida) | Published: 8/6/2019

After reaching a plea deal with federal prosecutors, suspended Tallahassee City Commissioner Scott Maddox admitted guilt to three fraud charges in a “pay-to-play” probe. Under the guilty plea, prosecutors dropped 39 of 42 charges against Maddox, a former Florida Democratic Party chairperson nabbed in a multi-year investigation into city government. Maddox’s longtime aide and former business partner, Paige Carter-Smith, also pleaded guilty to the same three charges as Maddox. Carter-Smith and Maddox admitted to soliciting payments from a ride-sharing company in exchange for favorable actions from the city commission. The court documents show “Company B” paid a Carter-Smith business a total of $30,000 and her businesses paid Maddox approximately $40,000 during the same time period.

Georgia – How a Criminal Investigation in Georgia Set an Ominous Tone for African American Voters
Yahoo News – John Ward | Published: 8/5/2019

Under the direction of Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, Nancy Dennard and 11 of her political allies were arrested and charged with for voter fraud in 2010. To Dennard and her allies, who became known as the Quitman 10+2, the reasons for their arrests were simple. They were black candidates who won an election in the Deep South, upsetting a white-dominated power structure. “They thought they could make an example out of me, and that would kill the spirit of this movement,” said Dennard. Yet the mug shots taken at the jail that first day of African Americans wearing orange jumpsuits would be an enduring image. That perceived threat of organized voter fraud has been used for the past decade by Republicans to enact a series of measures in many states that have made it harder to vote. Kemp had been one of the most aggressive politicians involved in purging voters from the rolls.

Illinois – Illinois Pushes Millions Toward Securing Its Election Systems
Government Technology – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 8/5/2019

Three years after Illinois’ voter registration database was infiltrated by Russian hackers, state and local officials are spending millions to upgrade the defenses protecting voters and their ballots leading up to the 2020 election. Efforts to prevent foreign hacking range from hiring Internet security specialists to, in the case of Chicago and Cook County, making plans to buy new polling machines. The breach of the state’s voter database remains the warning sign for election system vulnerability, with national security experts now saying all 50 states had been targeted for Russian intrusion. At least 21 states reported being contacted by addresses associated with Russia, largely by scanning public websites, but Illinois’ data breach was the most significant.

Iowa – The Iowa State Fair Can Make – or Break – a Presidential Candidate
Beaumont Enterprise – Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 8/6/2019

The Iowa State Fair is a rite of passage for anyone with White House aspirations, a photo op that often serves up funny and weird moments – and sometimes political catastrophe. The 11-day event is a political obstacle course that has been damaging to a number of candidates, establishing a narrative that when set is often hard to shake. It will be especially challenging this year, as candidates struggle to strike the right tone while the nation contends with the aftermath of the shootings in El Paso and Dayton.

Massachusetts – Two City Hall Officials Convicted of Conspiring to Extort Boston Calling Founders
Boston Globe – Maria Cramer | Published: 8/7/2019

Two top aides to Boston Mayor Martin Walsh were convicted of conspiring to extort organizers of the Boston Calling music festival. Kenneth Brissette, the city’s director of tourism, and Timothy Sullivan, chief of intergovernmental affairs, resigned shortly after they were found guilty of strong-arming the festival into hiring union workers in 2014. Federal prosecutors said they leaned on concert organizers to promote Walsh’s political agenda and exploited the organizers’ fear that city officials might shut down the popular event if they failed to comply. Lawyers for Brissette and Sullivan argued the aides had no control over the concert’s permits and prosecutors were criminalizing the ordinary give-and-take of city politics. Legal specialists considered the prosecution novel, pushing against the limits of the Hobbs Act, the federal law that defines extortion.

Michigan – GOP Group Sues to Block Michigan Redistricting Commission
The Hill – Reid Wilson | Published: 7/30/2019

A national Republican group helmed by former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker filed a federal lawsuit aimed at blocking a redistricting commission that Michigan voters approved by a wide margin last year. The lawsuit seeks to knock down Proposition 2, which shifted responsibility for redrawing district boundaries from the state Legislature to a citizen commission. The proposition bars anyone who ran for office or worked on political campaigns or as a lobbyist within the last six years from serving on the commission, as well as parents, spouses, and children of those who worked in politics. The suit alleges the exclusionary rules violate First Amendment rights of free speech and 14th Amendment rights to equal protection.

Minnesota – Veterans Charity Under Scrutiny after DOC Official Suspected of Lobbying for Her Husband
St. Paul Pioneer Press – Dave Orrick | Published: 8/3/2019

A Minneapolis nonprofit that aims to help military veterans accused of crimes has come under scrutiny for how it uses taxpayer funds and ties to an embattled former state official. The Veterans Defense Project, which has received nearly $450,000 in state taxpayer funds since 2017, will be the subject of a “special review” by the state legislative auditor. The probe will officially tackle questions that were simmering quietly among some quarters of the Capitol but were thrust into the spotlight when Sarah Walker resigned from her position as deputy commissioner of the Department of Corrections amid an internal probe into whether she was improperly lobbying for the charity. Walker, a longtime lobbyist before she was appointed to the state position in January, is married to Brock Hunter, who co-founded the nonprofit.

Missouri – Stenger Scandal Prompts St. Louis County Council to Block Pensions for Those Convicted of Corruption
St. Louis Public Radio – Chad Davis | Published: 8/6/2019

St. Louis County elected officials and employees who are found guilty of corruption will not be able to collect their pensions. The county council voted unanimously to revoke the pension benefits of those convicted of public corruption such as bribery. Councilperson Tim Fitch said the bill would apply to former County Executive Steve Stenger. The proposal was introduced several weeks after Stenger resigned and pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges.

New York – Assemblyman: ‘Great displeasure’ with ethics probe of alleged rape victim
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 8/7/2019

The former chairperson of the New York Assembly Ethics Committee wrote to state ethics regulators expressing “great displeasure” over their inquiry into Kat Sullivan, an alleged rape victim who lobbied for legislation aiding other child sex abuse victims. The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) has repeatedly contacted Sullivan to get her to register as a lobbyist. With Sullivan refusing, she is now facing a vote by commissioners that would initiate a formal investigation into whether she spent more the more than $5,000 on lobbying in 2018. The investigation could result in Sullivan facing penalties up to $25,000 for each violation. “… This is not the kind of investigative action I intended to be pursued when I voted for the bill that was enacted into law establishing JCOPE,” Assemblyperson Charles Lavine wrote.

New York – When de Blasio’s Daughter Moved, His Security Detail Carried the Futon
New York Times – Jeffrey Mayes and J. David Goodman | Published: 8/7/2019

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has spoken extensively about New York being a “tale of two cities,” a place where the privileged had all the advantages, and the working class and poor had none. But for all of his focus on income inequality, his mayoralty has been dogged by questions of whether his personal behavior contradicts his political message. The latest example came as city officials acknowledged that last year the New York Police Department executive protection unit assigned to guard de Blasio and his family helped his daughter move her belongings from an apartment in Brooklyn to Gracie Mansion. Using city resources for personal use is typically a violation of the Conflicts of Interest Law and having police detectives assist in a relative’s move would seem to cross ethical lines, according to Citizens Union Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum.

North Carolina – Former Rep. Rodney Moore Pleads Guilty in Campaign Finance Case, Gets Probation
Charlotte Observer – Jim Morrill | Published: 8/1/2019

Former North Carolina Rep. Rodney Moore, who was indicted on nine felony counts involving false campaign reports, was handed a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a single count. Moore pleaded guilty to one felony count of making felony false statements under oath. Superior Court Judge Lisa Bell sentenced him to up to five months in prison but suspended the sentence pending his completion of 12 months of unsupervised probation. Moore was indicted on counts involving filing false campaign reports after investigators found he failed to report more than $141,000 in campaign contributions and expenditures. Authorities said he failed to disclose tens of thousands of dollars in political contributions and campaign expenses, including money for movie tickets, dry cleaning, and car washes.

North Carolina – UNC System Head Didn’t List Corporate Board Seats That Paid Millions on Ethics Forms
Charlotte Observer – Nick Ochsner | Published: 8/7/2019

William Roper, the interim president of the University of North Carolina system and former longtime chief executive officer of the UNC Health Care System, failed to disclose his seats on the boards of major corporations between 2011 and 2019, at the same time as those corporations did business with the state, records show. In January, Roper took the helm of the UNC System as interim president. In that same time, Roper has served on the board of directors of DaVita, a company that provides dialysis services. Roper has also been a member of the board of directors of three successor companies in the pharmacy benefits administration industry. None of his corporate board service was disclosed on state ethics forms until recently, when Roper filed amended forms in response to an inquiry from reporters.

Oregon – Paid Ballots and More Disclosure Are Coming to Oregon Elections
Oregon Public Broadcasting – Dirk VanderHart | Published: 8/2/2019

Gov. Kate Brown ensured that Oregonians will be able to mail their ballots for free in elections beginning next year, and that voters could have more information about who is funding political ads. The governor also signed a bill requiring “dark money” groups to disclose large donors, but that provision will not become operative until December 2020. House Bill 2716, which takes effect immediately, requires advertisements supporting or opposing a candidate to disclose who funded them. In the case of ads funded by non-candidate PACs, the bill also requires the disclosure of the top five donors who have contributed at least $10,000 to those groups.

Texas – Anti-Discrimination Official Removed by Council One Month After Racist Posts Surface
Fort Worth Star-Telegram – Luke Ranker | Published: 8/6/2019

The Fort Worth City Council voted to remove Mike Steele from the city’s Human Relations Commission, which he had been a member of since 2015. In July, members of the commission voted to recommend the council remove him after Facebook posts attacking transgender people, Muslims, and immigrants surfaced. The commission is designed to manage issues surrounding racial, religious, or ethnic discrimination in Fort Worth and advise the council on possible changes to city policy. The city’s guidelines for board and commission positions are relaxed, lacking even a social media policy. Beyond avoiding conflicts-of-interest, the expectation is that “those who serve in these positions conduct themselves in a civil manner,” the city said in a statement.

Texas – Ex-Dallas Superintendent Gets 7 Years in Bribery Scheme
Courthouse News Service – David Lee | Published: 8/7/2019

The disgraced former superintendent of the Dallas County Schools bus agency was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for accepting over $3 million in bribes in exchange for awarding $70 million in school bus stop-arm camera contracts that ultimately bankrupted the agency. Rick Sorrells pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Prosecutors accused Sorrells of spending the money on expensive jewelry, Porsche and Maserati sports cars, trips, and an apartment in New Orleans.

Texas – Texas Faces Turbulent Political Moment
The Hill – Reid Wilson | Published: 8/6/2019

For a quarter century, Texas Republicans have run a ruby-red state, building a conservative bastion where government is limited. Now, the mounting tensions of racially motivated rhetoric, a polarizing president, and Republican infighting have rocked the state’s political leadership. And it may soon face a tipping point brought on by shifting coalitions of voters who want change, in Austin and Washington., D.C. The tumult is creating turnover that has startled even the closest observers of Texas politics.

Washington DC – Metro Reverses Its Decision to Ban Advertisements for Art Exhibition on the Migrant Crisis
Washington Post – Peggy McGlone | Published: 8/6/2019

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) reversed its decision to reject the advertising campaign for the Phillips Collection’s exhibition, “The Warmth of Other Suns: Stories of Global Displacement.” The WMATA this spring rejected the ad campaign for the 11-week exhibition, which examines global migration. It cited guidelines that prohibit advertisements “intended to influence members of the public regarding an issue on which there are varying opinions” and those “intended to influence public policy.” In 2015, the transit agency adopted guidelines that banned issue-oriented advertisements, as well as those related to religion and politics. The ban has been subject of several lawsuits.

Wyoming – Tribal Leaders Knew of Anti-Regulatory Lobbying Effort, Documents and 2 Council Members Say
Casper Star-Tribune – Chris Aadland and Nick Reynolds | Published: 8/4/2019

Northern Arapaho tribal leaders knew of, and approved, a secretive lobbying effort to defeat legislative attempts to regulate gambling in the state, despite claims that a rogue lobbyist undertook the project without their knowledge. Documents and interviews with those aware of the effort indicate the Northern Arapaho Business Council agreed to fund the creation of a group, the Wyoming Public Policy Center. The lobbying effort aggressively opposed proposals to legalize gambling in Wyoming during the 2019 legislative session to protect its three casinos, the tribe’s most important economic assets. Those proposals were defeated, but lawmakers have since resurrected an attempt at regulating gambling.

Campaign Finance

National: “Joaquin Castro Tweeted the Names of Top Trump Donors. Republicans Say It Will Encourage Violence.” by Michael Brice-Saddler (Washington Post) for Philadelphia Inquirer

Elections

California: “Trump Wants to Keep His Tax Returns Private, Asks Courts to Stop California Law” by John Myers for Los Angeles Times

Iowa: “The Iowa State Fair Can Make – or Break – a Presidential Candidate” by Holly Bailey (Washington Post) for Beaumont Enterprise

Ethics

Florida: “Scott Maddox, Florida’s Former Democratic Chair, Pleads Guilty in Probe” by Dara Kam (News Service of Florida) for Tampa Bay Times

Missouri: “Stenger Scandal Prompts St. Louis County Council to Block Pensions for Those Convicted of Corruption” by Chad Davis for St. Louis Public Radio

New York: “When de Blasio’s Daughter Moved, His Security Detail Carried the Futon” by Jeffrey Mayes and J. David Goodman for New York Times

North Carolina: “UNC System Head Didn’t List Corporate Board Seats That Paid Millions on Ethics Forms” by Nick Ochsner for Charlotte Observer

Texas: “Anti-Discrimination Official Removed by Council One Month After Racist Posts Surface” by Luke Ranker for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lobbying

National: “Judge Dismisses 1 of 2 Charges Against Greg Craig” by Josh Gerstein and Theodoric Meyer for Politico

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “‘Dark Money’ Expansion Remains on Hold While Court Decides Future of Law” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Elections

National: “DNC Rules Could Expand, Not Shrink, Future Debate Stage” by Zach Montellaro for Politico

Georgia: “How a Criminal Investigation in Georgia Set an Ominous Tone for African American Voters” by John Ward for Yahoo News

Texas: “Texas Faces Turbulent Political Moment” by Reid Wilson for The Hill

Ethics

National: “Cesar Sayoc, Who Mailed Pipe Bombs to Trump Critics, Is Sentenced to 20 Years” by Benjamin Weiser and Ali Watkins for New York Times

Colorado: “Aurora Lawmakers Unanimously Pass Wide-Reaching City Ethics Law” by Madison Lauterbach for Sentinel Colorado

Lobbying

National: “The Darkest Money in Washington: Business groups spend more on advocacy and consulting than lobbying” by Andrew Perez, Abigail Luke, and Tim Zelina for MapLight.org

Washington DC: “Metro Reverses Its Decision to Ban Advertisements for Art Exhibition on the Migrant Crisis” by Peggy McGlone for Washington Post

The state budget bill signed by Gov. DeWine includes a provision removing a tax exemption for attorneys and lobbyists beginning in 2020.

Since 2013, the state business income deduction (BID) has allowed those deriving income from any pass-through entity (e.g., LLCs, LLPs) to pay no tax on the first $250,000 of income and a flat 3% on any income above the threshold.

House Bill 166 excludes otherwise eligible income from legal services provided by an attorney or income from legislative, executive agency, or retirement system lobbying activity.

A professional coalition including the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) is beginning a grassroots campaign to reverse the exclusion.

Campaign Finance

National: “Campaigns Say They’ll Match Political Contributions. It’s Not Clear How They Would Do That” by Jessica Piper for Center for Responsive Politics

Florida: “Curbelo’s Campaign and Office Paid $390K to a Friend Who Is Now His Business Partner” by Alex Daugherty for Miami Herald

Elections

Colorado: “Colorado Approved a National Popular Vote law. Now It Might Be Repealed.” by Emily Davies (Washington Post) for Beaumont Enterprise

Illinois: “Illinois Pushes Millions Toward Securing Its Election Systems” by Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) for Government Technology

Ethics

National: “Trump Judges Face Scrutiny Over President’s Cases” by Naomi Jagoda and Jacqueline Thomsen for The Hill

National: “El Paso Shooting Suspect’s Manifesto Echoes Trump’s Language” by Peter Baker and Michael Shear (New York Times) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “How Gun Control Groups Are Catching Up to the N.R.A.” by Reid Epstein, Maggie Astor, and Danny Hakim (New York Times) for MSN

Canada: “No Criminal Charges in Allegations of Illegal Lobbying by Ford Advisers but OPP Refer Case to Ethics Watchdog” by Jim Mahoney for The Globe and Mail

Campaign Finance

National: “Proposed FEC Rule Would Further Constrain Foreign Election Contributions” by Philip Ewing for National Public Radio

California: “Insurance Commissioner Accepted, Returned More Cash from Insurers Than Previously Known” by Jeff McDonald for San Diego Union-Tribune

North Carolina: “Former Rep. Rodney Moore Pleads Guilty in Campaign Finance Case, Gets Probation” by Jim Morrill for Charlotte Observer

Oregon: “Paid Ballots and More Disclosure Are Coming to Oregon Elections” by Dirk VanderHart for Oregon Public Broadcasting

Ethics

Colorado: “New State Ethics Commissioner Debra Johnson Previously Investigated for Workplace Misconduct” by Bente Berkeland for Colorado Public Radio

Florida: “Former Jacksonville Public Defender Gave Away Guns, Money after Failed Re-election” by Andew Pantazi for Florida Times Union

Lobbying

Minnesota: “Veterans Charity Under Scrutiny after DOC Official Suspected of Lobbying for Her Husband” by Dave Orrick for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Wyoming: “Tribal Leaders Knew of Anti-Regulatory Lobbying Effort, Documents and 2 Council Members Say” by Chris Aadland and Nick Reynolds for Casper Star-Tribune

National/Federal

Ex-McConnell Staffers Lobbied on Russian-Backed Kentucky Project
Politico – Natasha Bertrand and Theodoric Meyer | Published: 7/31/2019

Two former top staffers to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have lobbied Congress and the Treasury Department on the development of a new Kentucky aluminum mill backed by the Russian aluminum giant Rusal, according to a new lobbying disclosure. The filing comes as Democrats are pushing the Trump administration to review Rusal’s $200 million investment in the Kentucky project – concerned that the mill will supply the Defense Department – and as McConnell weathers criticism for helping block a congressional effort to stop the investment. The Russian firm was only able to make the investment after it won sanctions relief from penalties the Treasury Department initially imposed in April 2018.

Federal Inquiry of Trump Friend Focused on Foreign Lobbying
MSN – Sharon LaFraniere, Maggie Haberman, William Rashbaum, Ben Protess, and David Kirkpatrick (New York Times) | Published: 7/28/2019

Federal prosecutors are investigating the role of Thomas Barrack, a top campaign fundraiser and close friend of President Trump, and his connections to the foreign lobby. Barrack has been investigated for potentially violating the law requiring people who try to influence American policy or opinion at the direction of foreign governments or entities to disclose their activities to the Justice Department. Questions about Barrack complying with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) arose during former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election before being referred to the U.S, attorney’s office in Brooklyn. Three former Trump campaign aides charged by Mueller acknowledged violating FARA in their guilty pleas: Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, and Michael Flynn.

Federal Judge Rules IRS Donor Guidance Is Unlawful
The Hill – Naomi Jagoda | Published: 7/30/2019

A federal judge blocked an IRS policy change that stopped nonprofit groups from identifying their big donors on federal disclosure forms. U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris ruled the agency did not give proper public notice before it stopped requiring social-welfare groups, labor unions, and business associations to identify donors contributing more than $5,000. Republicans argue the guidance was important to protect taxpayers’ privacy and First Amendment rights. But Democrats have strongly opposed the guidance, arguing it could make it easier for foreign governments to influence U.S. elections through donations to “dark money” groups.

How Fundraisers Convinced Conservatives to Donate $10 Million – Then Kept Almost All of It.
ProPublica – Maggie Severns (Politico) and Derek Willis | Published: 7/26/2019

The Conservative Majority Fund has raised nearly $10 million since 2012 and continues to solicit funds, primarily from thousands of steadfast contributors to conservative causes. But it has made just $48,400 in political contributions to candidates and committees. Its main beneficiaries are the operative Kelley Rogers, who has a history of disputes over allegedly unethical fundraising, and one of the largest conservative fundraising companies, InfoCision, which charged millions of dollars in fundraising fees. The saga of how politically connected fundraisers used one of the nation’s leading conservative organizations as a springboard for fundraising that mainly benefited the fundraisers themselves sheds light on the growing problem of so-called scam PACs, organizations that take advantage of loosened campaign finance laws to reap windfalls for insiders while directing only a small portion of receipts to political advocacy.

It’s Not Just the Russians Anymore as Iranians and Others Turn Up Disinformation Efforts Ahead of 2020 Vote
MSN – Craig Timberg and Tony Romm (Washingtin Post) | Published: 7/25/2019

Twitter has shut down more than 7,000 phony accounts from Iran this year alone. Iran is far from the only nation that has the capacity to wage Russian-style influence operations in the U.S. ahead of next year’s election. That means American voters are likely to be targeted in the coming campaign season by more foreign disinformation than ever before, say those studying such operations. Researchers say it is not often clear exactly who runs these operations, whether it is the governments themselves or some other actors, but they typically echo the talking points of the ruling powers and back their geopolitical goals through tweets, posts, and online videos. The operations in all these countries, meanwhile, have the means and potentially the motives to seek to influence an American election shaping up as among the most hotly contested in decades.

Low in Cash and Polls, 2020 Democrats Get Creative with Accounting
New York Times – Shane Goldmacher | Published: 7/30/2019

Staff members for a half dozen Democratic presidential candidates did not receive their final June paycheck that month. Instead, their campaigns nudged payday into July, an accounting maneuver that obscured payroll costs and temporarily made it look like candidates had more cash on hand than they did. That does not violate campaign laws, but it is a symptom of the high stakes of the 2020 money race and a crowded field with some candidates struggling to stay alive ahead of the second round of debates. In a presidential primary with many Democratic hopefuls competing for campaign money, a candidate’s viability is often judged by donors, the news media, and even rivals with a cursory look at campaign balance sheets.

Meet the Man Who Created the Fake Presidential Seal – a Former Republican Fed Up with Trump
MSN – Reis Thebault and Michael Brice-Saddler (Washington Post) | Published: 7/25/2019

Graphic designer Charles Leazott used to be a proud Republican. But he felt Donald Trump’s GOP was no longer his party. So, he created a mock presidential seal to prove his point. He substituted the arrows in the eagle’s claw for a set of golf clubs, a nod to the new president’s favorite pastime. In the other set of talons, he swapped the olive branch for a wad of cash and replaced the United States’ Latin motto with a Spanish insult. Then is inserted a two-headed imperial bird lifted straight from the Russian coat of arms. The seal was not meant for a wide audience. But then, years later, it wound up stretched across a huge screen behind an unwitting President Trump as he spoke to a conference packed with hundreds of his young supporters.

Republicans Rattled After Surge of Retirements
Politico – Melanie Zanona | Published: 7/31/2019

The House GOP caucus has been hit by a wave of retirements over the past few weeks, but some Republicans fear the worst is yet to come. With the GOP relegated to the minority for the first time in eight years, a mix of veteran and vulnerable members have decided to call it quits instead of sticking around to see whether the party wins back power in 2020. Most of the seats being vacated thus far are in solidly red districts, which Republicans will have no problems keeping. But at least two of the races have become more competitive in the wake of the retirement announcements, and more vulnerable members could jump ship if they do not want to duke it out another term, especially if they are pessimistic about the GOP’s prospects.

Should Regulators Let Jet-Setting Tom Price Use Campaign Cash for Nonprofit Travel and Expenses?
Center for Public Integrity – Laura Zornosa | Published: 7/25/2019

Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned in 2017 amid criticism of his taxpayer-funded private charter flights. Now, Price wants the FEC to allow his new nonprofit group to use $1.7 million worth of leftover campaign money from his old congressional committee, a move that would create a path for former congressional candidates to transfer surplus campaign cash to 501(c)(4) “social welfare” groups, a type of nonprofit that operates with fewer restrictions than charities, though Price’s lawyers promise the group would not pay salaries to Price or his family members or use the money for political purposes.

Socialism Goes Local: DSA candidates are winning in big cities
Governing – Alan Greenblatt | Published: 7/24/2019

Around the country this year, democratic socialists and other ultra-left candidates have met with success in city council races. Several such candidates have already won seats in Chicago and Denver, while others are running this fall in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In Seattle, Kshama Sawant, a member of Socialist Alternative, which is a democratic socialist party, is seeking reelection to the city council against concerted opposition from business groups. These candidates do not all hold the same positions, but they are at the leading edge of a trend. As in national politics, local candidates on the left, including many mainstream Democrats, are moving further left.

Texts, Sex, Lies and Corruption: Here’s what has forced governors out of office
New York Times – Adeel Hassan | Published: 7/25/2019

Gov. Ricardo Rosselló of Puerto Rico announced his resignation after an uprising and looming impeachment proceedings had derailed his administration. Though residents said they were fed up by years of corruption, the tipping point proved to be the publication of hundreds of pages of crass and often profane chat messages among Rosselló and 11 men in his inner circle. The texts confirmed what many Puerto Ricans thought, that they held disdain for the public. The vast majority of governors in the U.S. fulfill their terms, though many have resigned to take a cabinet position, or to join the Senate. Since World War II, two have left governor’s mansions to move to the White House. But a few have met ignominious ends in office.

The Job of Campaigning Is Extremely Family-Unfriendly
The Atlantic – Joe Pinsker | Published: 7/27/2019

The FEC ruled that M. J. Hegar, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Texas, can spend campaign funds on child care for her two kids while she is running for office. The ruling builds on the FEC’s determination that Liuba Grechen Shirley, who at the time was running for a House seat in New York, could do the same. Campaign finance laws prohibit candidates from drawing from their own political funds for “personal use,” and legally, it was not clear whether child-care expenses associated with campaigning fell under that category. Now, whether candidates have to take on child-care costs in order to run (as Grechen Shirley did) or keep paying for child care as they already had been (as is the case with Hegar), they can cover those expenses knowing they are not running afoul of federal regulations.

Top House Lawyer Takes Center Stage in Legal Battles Against Trump
Politico – Andrew Desiderio and Kyle Cheney | Published: 7/31/2019

U.S. Reps. Jerry Nadler and Adam Schiff are the public faces of the House Democrats’ battles with Donald Trump, appearing on television regularly to harangue the president for his resistance to their investigations. But the job of fighting the president in federal court – and, lately, winning – has been left to a lesser-known figure: House General Counsel Douglas Letter. Last year, Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked him to take on a new and unfamiliar role as the guardian of congressional power. What Letter may not have realized when he took the job was that he would find himself in the vanguard of an unprecedented constitutional power struggle between House Democrats, who are weighing whether to impeach Trump, and a litigious president blocking congressional oversight in an unprecedented way.

Trump Fundraiser Thomas Barrack Jr. Lobbied for Saudi Nuclear Deal, New Report Alleges
USA Today – Deirdre Shesgreen | Published: 7/29/2019

The Trump administration’s move to sell sensitive nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia took shape even before the president took office and was championed by Trump’s longtime personal friend and fundraiser, Thomas Barrack Jr., according to a new report by congressional Democrats. The report details how Barrack used his personal connections to the president and other Trump administration officials to win support for the controversial Saudi nuclear deal, at the same time he was seeking funding from the Saudis and the United Arab Emirates for a bid to purchase Westinghouse Electric Company, the only U.S. manufacturer of large-scale nuclear reactors.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Arizona State Senator Criticized for Remarks on Immigrants, Birthrates of Hispanic Women
Arizona Republic – Kyra Haas | Published: 7/26/2019

Arizona Sen. Sylvia Allen is facing criticism following recent comments she made about immigration, white birth rates, and the “browning” of America. During a speech to Republicans, Allen said America would “look like South American countries very quickly” and warned immigrants were “flooding” the United States at a rate that did not allow for them to “learn the principles of our country.” In her comments, Allen noted declining white birth rates compared to Hispanic birth rates, saying it was an issue “because of immigration.” She referred to a “browning of America,” a term she attributed to a well-known demographer, though he is not critical of immigration in his research.

California – California Insurance Commissioner Met with CEO Who Has Cases Pending Before His Department
Sacramento Bee – Hannah Wylie | Published: 7/29/2019

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, under fire for accepting campaign contributions from insurance executives and their spouses, has yet to release his office calendars in response to public requests. But Lara acknowledged he did meet with an executive whose company has multiple complaints against it in cases before his department. Lara said he met with Steven Menzies, who heads Applied Underwriters, a workers’ compensation agency that the department formerly settled with for “bait and switch” marketing tactics in 2017. Berkshire Hathaway is in the process of selling the company, a sale Lara must approve. Lara, who was serving as his own campaign treasurer, accepted $46,500 in donations to his 2022 reelection campaign in April from out-of-state executives with ties to the company.

California – Sitting Judge Who Promoted His Candidacy for Calif. Attorney General Barred from Bench
San Francisco Chronicle – Bob Egelko | Published: 7/31/2019

The California Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Steven Bailey, the former judge who ran for state attorney general last year and then was permanently barred from returning to the bench by a state commission because he used his judicial position to promote his political campaign. Bailey, a former Superior Court judge, argued the Commission on Judicial Performance violated his freedom of speech by enforcing rules that prohibit judges from using their positions to run for non-judicial office. The commission disagreed, and the state’s high court, which has the last word on judicial discipline in California, denied review of his appeal without comment.

California – Trump’s Tax Returns Required Under New California Election Law
Los Angeles Times – John Myers | Published: 7/30/2019

President Trump will be ineligible for California’s primary ballot next year unless he discloses his tax returns under a state law that immediately took effect, an unprecedented mandate that is almost certain to spark a court fight and might encourage other states to adopt their own unconventional rules for presidential candidates. The law requires all presidential candidates to submit five years of income tax filings. State elections officials will post the financial documents online, although certain private information must first be redacted.

Florida – Ethics Complaint Filed Against CFO Jimmy Patronis for Releasing Harassment Allegation
Tampa Bay Times – Lawrence Mower | Published: 7/26/2019

An activist is asking for an investigation into Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis for releasing an ethics complaint in a possible violation of state law. Emma Collum, an attorney and president of Women’s March Florida, filed the complaint with the state Commission on Ethics. Patronis sent to the media a redacted copy of a woman’s sexual harassment complaint against former Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Ronald Rubin, along with a request for Rubin to resign. The complaint form was marked “confidential and exempt” under state law, citing a statute that requires employee complaints to remain secret until they’re investigated. Breaking it is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail.

Florida – Modified Sentences and ‘Rocket Dockets’ Aim to Ensure Felons Can Still Register to Vote
Washington Post – Lori Rozsa | Published: 7/30/2019

Florida judges and prosecutors are working with felons and public defenders to find ways to register former inmates to vote, a process approved by voters last year that Republican legislators have made more difficult. To work around a law passed in the spring, which requires individuals to pay all fines, fees, and restitution before they can register, court officials in cities such as Miami and Tampa are modifying sentences and making plans to allow some debts to be converted to community service. In smaller towns, volunteers are holding fundraisers to pay off penalties for residents. Voting rights activists applaud these efforts are worried a patchwork of changes may confound hundreds of thousands of potential voters in the months leading up to the state’s March 17 presidential primary.

Florida – Suspended Commissioner Scott Maddox to Plead Guilty to Some Charges in Public Corruption Case
Tallahassee Democrat – Jeff Burlew | Published: 7/31/2019

Scott Maddox, whose long political career in Tallahassee came crashing down after his indictment on public corruption charges, is expected to plead guilty to some of the counts against him. Attorneys for the suspended city commissioner and former mayor filed a notice that both he and his close friend Paige Carter-Smith will change their pleas. It is a major development in the federal government’s long-running investigation into public corruption in Tallahassee and a possible signal that Maddox and Carter-Smith are cooperating with authorities to try to get their sentences reduced. If they are cooperating, it is possible the FBI and prosecutors are using their help to build cases against other prominent politicians and businesspeople.

Hawaii – The Kealoha Corruption Case Cost These Two Investigators More Than Their Jobs
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nick Grube | Published: 7/30/2019

Honolulu Ethics Commission Executive Director Chuck Totto and Letha DeCaires, a former police officer who was working for the commission, expected a backlash from their investigation of then-Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, who was a city prosecutor. They were a politically connected power couple that had access to every level of Honolulu law enforcement. There was outside pressure from Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration, and Totto and DeCairs were ousted from their jobs after their commission, which was supposed to support their review of the Kealohas, turned on them. They also faced a lawsuit that targeted them both professionally and personally.

Illinois – How Will Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Ethics Rules Affect Aldermen Like Edward Burke? It’s Not Entirely Clear.
Chicago Tribune – Gregory Pratt, John Byrne, and Juan Perez, Jr. | Published: 7/26/2019

The ethics ordinance passed by the city council recently that further restricts the outside work aldermen can do was seen as a signature win for Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s reform agenda. But it is not yet clear how the ordinance will play out or how the new limits on private employment will affect aldermen like Edward Burke, who has long had a lucrative sideline as a property tax attorney. One question that might need to be addressed is whether council members like Burke, whose involvement with a law firm largely prompted the provision, need to fully divest themselves of their ownership stake in their firm, or whether they could comply with the law by not working on cases that create conflicts with the city and also refrain from taking money from the firm’s work on those cases.

Illinois – Politically Connected Ex-Teamsters Boss Pleads Guilty to Extorting Chicago Film Studio, Agrees to Cooperate
Chicago Tribune – Jason Meisner | Published: 7/30/2019

Longtime Chicago union boss John Coli Sr. does not seem like the type to cooperate with authorities. A politically connected fixture in the Teamsters, has dodged controversy for years, from suspicious appointments to state boards to allegations of organized crime ties, often accusing his accusers of using overzealous investigative tactics. But In pleading guilty to corruption charges stemming from an extortion scheme, Coli agreed to cooperate with federal authorities in any ongoing investigations, including “complete and truthful testimony’ in any criminal or civil proceeding. Coli for years used his national position with the Teamsters to hold sway with some of the city and state’s most powerful elected officials.

Iowa – Iowa Restrictions on Lawmaker-to-Lobbyist Revolving Door Praised
The Gazette – James Lynch | Published: 7/25/2019

Iowa is being praised for its restrictions to prevent former state lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving office. Overall, Iowa has the best “revolving-door” policy, with a two-year cooling off period that applies to both legislative and executive officials and staff, and broadly prohibits both “lobbying activity” as well as “lobbying contacts” during the waiting period, according to an analysis of state ethics laws by Public Integrity. The restriction on the lawmaker-to-lobbyist transformation was among ethics changes the state Legislature enacted following a 1990s scandal involving the deposit of local government property tax receipts in an investment scheme known as Iowa Trust.

Minnesota – Complaint: Corrections official lobbied for husband’s group on state time
Minnesota Public Radio – Briana Bierschbach, Brian Bakst, and Nina Moini | Published: 7/25/2019

A top Minnesota prison official who resigned recently had been under investigation for weeks for allegedly lobbying on behalf of her husband’s nonprofit and for leaking private, internal data, according to newly released records. The redacted investigative documents were released by the Department of Corrections after former Deputy Commissioner Sarah Walker suddenly departed from her post to seek “unique opportunities” at the local and national level. Allegations against Walker include leaking of information about a co-worker’s sexual assault by a corrections employee. Investigators were also looking into concerns that Walker lobbied privately for legislation related to her husband’s nonprofit while on state time.

Missouri – Former Missouri Public Safety Director Abused State Contracting Process, Audit Says
Kansas City Star – Crystal Thomas | Published: 7/31/2019

The director of Missouri’s Department of Public Safety under former Gov. Eric Greitens abused the state’s contracting process to award an organization that he was previously affiliated with, according to a state audit. It also found Charles Juden, who served as director from the beginning of 2017 to August of last year, did not claim leave when taking personal trips to Florida to watch the Daytona 500. Before Juden became director, the Missouri Highway Patrol managed fingerprinting technology for local law enforcement agencies at no cost to the state. After he took over, the Missouri Police Chiefs Charitable Foundation was selected to manage the $1.25 million technology contract, at a cost of $58,000. Prior to his appointment, Juden was the foundation’s chairperson, which the audit said posed a “conflict-o- interest.”

Missouri – Northwest Plaza Owners Ask Court to Quash Subpoenas in St. Louis County Council Inquiry
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Jeremy Kohler | Published: 7/31/2019

The owners of the former Northwest Plaza shopping center in St. Louis filed a lawsuit seeking to block subpoenas issued to them in an inquiry into the county’s lease for office space at their complex. Robert and P. David Glarner, who own the complex, claimed they should not be forced to defend themselves to the county council at a time when federal prosecutors are investigating whether crimes were committed in their dealings with former County Executive Steve Stenger that resulted in a 20-year lease. If the court does not quash the county subpoena outright, the Glarners claimed, it should wait until the conclusion of the federal investigation. The Glarners’ lawsuit also claims the council’s ethics committee lacked authority to compel their cooperation.

Nebraska – Nebraska Lets Legislators Shift from Lawmaking to Lobbying
AP News – Grant Schulte | Published: 7/28/2019

State officials in Nebraska who want to profit off their government experience and connections after leaving office face virtually no obstacles in becoming lobbyists, unlike most other states that bar their leaders from immediately switching role. Nebraska is among seven states with no restrictions on former lawmakers, governors, or other elected officials working to influence their former colleagues, according to the analysis by Public Citizen. The result is clear during the legislative session, when on most days a dozen or so senators-turned-lobbyists gather outside the chamber, ready to talk with lawmakers about bills that could help or hurt their clients.

New Mexico – Legislative Leaders Take Command of Campaign Resources
AP News – Morgan Lee | Published: 7/29/2019

New rules for funneling resources toward political races in New Mexico may provide legislative leaders and political parties with a stronger hand in influencing the outcomes of elections, as Democrats assert their control over the Legislature and key statewide elected offices. The Democratic House speaker and Republican minority leader registered specialized political committees that can command vast resources and make unlimited non-cash contributions to campaigns. The so-called “legislative caucus committees” can collect five times as much cash per donor as other New Mexico political committees.

New York – A Luxury Box at Citi Field, an M.T.A. Contract and $188,000 for Cuomo
New York Times – Emma Fitzsimmons, J. David Goodman, and Augustin Armendarez | Published: 7/28/2019

Since New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo took office in 2011, his campaigns have received more than $3 million from Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) contractors and industry groups that represent them. New York does not limit contributions from contractors that do business with state entities. Donors with ties to the MTA, including board members, their employers, and transit unions, have given another $1.5 million. There is no evidence the MTA awarded contracts as a reward to Cuomo’s donors, but people in the industry see political contributions as important for their business.

New York – Abuse Victim’s 3 Billboards Called for Stronger Laws. Then the State Showed Up.
New York Times – Vivian Wang | Published: 7/31/2019

The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is investigating Kat Sullivan, a sexual abuse survivor, for allegedly lobbying while she was not registered. She took out a billboard ad near the Capitol urging lawmakers to pass the Child Victims Act and set up a website on the issue. Sullivan believed she was using her own time and money to make her voice as an abuse survivor heard. She was shocked when JCOPE afterward told her she faced a fine of more than $40,000 if she did not register. Sullivan’s case is unusual; few unpaid advocates spend more than $5,000 on an issue, the annual threshold for registering in the state. It also illuminates a larger dilemma facing lawmakers across the country: who counts as a lobbyist in the age of social media and renewed grassroots involvement, when it is easier than ever for people to make themselves heard?

New York – Potential Conflicts of Interest the Real Reason Lhota Left the MTA
Politico – Dana Rubenstein | Published: 7/30/2019

When Joe Lhota, the embattled chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, resigned last fall, he and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo omitted the real reason for the departure. While Cuomo and Lhota painted the resignation as a natural development in what was always intended to be a limited engagement, Lhota actually quit because the Joint Commission on Public Ethics had deemed him too burdened by potential conflicts-of-interest to continue serving as the head of the country’s biggest transit network. The cause of Lhota’s departure emerged in his resignation letter, which the governor’s office initially declined to provide under the state’s public information law.

North Carolina – Bladen County Political Operative Faces New Perjury, Obstruction of Justice Charges
Raleigh News and Observer – Carli Brosseau, Josh Shaffer, Dan Kane, and Will Doran | Published: 7/30/2019

Leslie McCrae Dowless, a Republican political operative who worked for former congressional candidate Mark Harris, faces felony charges in connection with the 2018 general election in North Carolina. Dowless was previously indicted on charges related to an absentee ballot harvesting operation he allegedly ran in 2016 and during the 2018 primary. North Carolina law allows volunteers and campaign workers to collect absentee ballot request forms, but not the ballots themselves. According to the most recent indictment, Dowless directed his workers to pick up ballots and sometimes to indicate falsely with a signature that they had watched the person cast their vote.

North Carolina – NC Elections Board Chairman Resigns, Apologizes Following Sexist Joke at Convention
Raleigh News and Observer – Will Doran | Published: 7/30/2019

State Board of Elections Chairperson Bob Cordle resigned following reports about a joke he made at a conference with hundreds of elections officials from across North Carolina. Cordle told a lengthy joke about women, sex, and cows that many in the audience found inappropriate. His current tenure on the board has been short but eventful, as it faced issues involving election fraud and voting machines. The board also dismissed the elections director and replaced her.

Oklahoma – Lawmaker’s Firm Reaps Payment to Help Throw Speaker’s Ball
Oklahoma Watch – Trevor Brown | Published: 7/26/2019

A company headed by a Republican House member was paid tens of thousands of dollars to help throw a lavish party in honor of Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, raising conflict-of-interest questions. An Oklahoma Ethics Commission filing shows Poligram, an event planning and management firm founded and run by state Rep. Mike Osburn, was paid $40,000 in operating expenses related to planning the 2019 Oklahoma Speaker’s Ball. The event traditionally attracts lawmakers, lobbyists, business leaders and advocates as they prepare to kick off the legislative session each year. Minority Floor Leader David Perryman said privately funded events that benefit politicians are “rife with the potential for political favor and influence.”

Pennsylvania – Longest-Serving Philly Sheriff Is Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for $675K Bribery Scheme
Philadelphia Inquirer – Craig McCoy | Published: 8/1/2019

Former Philadelphia Sheriff John Green was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to selling his office for more than $675,000 in benefits, ranging from a secret job for his wife to a renovated and price-reduced home to hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions. Prosecutors, who brought a sweeping indictment against Green in 2015, said he essentially had sold the office to secret benefactor James Davis, who Green rewarded with $35 million in contracts to advertise and run the office’s foreclosed property sales, often with nothing in writing. In return, Davis plied the sheriff with bribes and illegal campaign contributions.

Rhode Island – Aponte Pleads No Contest to Embezzlement, Must Resign from City Council
Providence Journal – Katie Mulvaney | Published: 7/29/2019

Providence City Councilperson Luis Aponte admitted to embezzling $13,942 from his campaign account and, in doing so, agreed to resign. He must also file outstanding campaign finance reports within 60 days. Prosecutors said Aponte used the money to pay for personal expenses such as Netflix and XBox Live, iTunes, and cable bills. Councilperson David Salvatore called on his colleagues to pass an ordinance tightening ethics requirements and prohibiting indicted people from holding leadership positions. He noted that Aponte ran for reelection in 2018 while under indictment.

Texas – ‘They Will Have to Resign’: Texas lawmakers allege House Speaker said he’d pull credentials from media outlet
Dallas News – Lauren McGaughy and James Barragan | Published: 8/1/2019

State lawmakers who listened to a conversation that a conservative activist secretly recorded with top GOP leadership said Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen suggested he would take floor access away from a credentialed media outlet. Reps. Jonathan Stickland, Steve Toth, and Travis Clardy said they listened to the audio of the meeting between Bonnen, House Republican Caucus Chairperson Dustin Burrows, and Michael Quinn Sullivan of Empower Texans, a group that targets GOP lawmakers it deems not conservative enough. Bonnen said he could strip media credentials from Scott Braddock, editor of the Quorum Report, and give media access to Empower Texans’ writers at its website, the lawmakers said. Sullivan had previously alleged the credentials were offered if Empower Texans agreed to target a list of 10 Republicans the speaker wanted ousted.

Wisconsin – A Wisconsin Lawmaker Who’s Paralyzed Isn’t Allowed to Call into Meetings; He Says That Keeps Him from Doing His Job
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley | Published: 7/29/2019

Republicans who control the Wisconsin Assembly will not allow a paralyzed Democratic lawmaker who is in a wheelchair to phone into committee meetings. Rep. Jimmy Anderson said enforcing the rule keeps him from performing his job as well as he should. He said the rule discriminates against him because he has difficulty getting to some meetings because of health reasons. “I think it’s disrespectful for someone to be asking questions over a microphone or a speakerphone when individuals are actually taking the time out of their day to come and testify in person,” Speaker Robin Vos said. Anderson said he is considering suing if Assembly leaders do not change their stance. He is researching whether he would qualify as an employee under the Americans with Disabilities Act since he is a lawmaker, not an employee.

Campaign Finance

National: “Low in Cash and Polls, 2020 Democrats Get Creative with Accounting” by Shane Goldmacher for New York Times

New Mexico: “Legislative Leaders Take Command of Campaign Resources” by Morgan Lee for AP News

Rhode Island: “Aponte Pleads No Contest to Embezzlement, Must Resign from City Council” by Katie Mulvaney for Providence Journal

Elections

California: “Trump’s Tax Returns Required Under New California Election Law” by John Myers for Los Angeles Times

Florida: “Modified Sentences and ‘Rocket Dockets’ Aim to Ensure Felons Can Still Register to Vote” by Lori Rozsa for Washington Post

Ethics

Hawaii: “The Kealoha Corruption Case Cost These Two Investigators More Than Their Jobs” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

Legislative Issues

Wisconsin: “A Wisconsin Lawmaker Who’s Paralyzed Isn’t Allowed to Call into Meetings; He Says That Keeps Him from Doing His Job” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Lobbying

National: “Trump Fundraiser Thomas Barrack Jr. Lobbied for Saudi Nuclear Deal, New Report Alleges” by Deirdre Shesgreen for USA Today

Campaign Finance

California: “California Insurance Commissioner Met with CEO Who Has Cases Pending Before His Department” by Hannah Wylie for Sacramento Bee

New York: “A Luxury Box at Citi Field, an M.T.A. Contract and $188,000 for Cuomo” by Emma Fitzsimmons, J. David Goodman, and Augustin Armendarez for New York Times

Ethics

Arizona: “Arizona State Senator Criticized for Remarks on Immigrants, Birthrates of Hispanic Women” by Kyra Haas for Arizona Republic

Illinois: “How Will Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Ethics Rules Affect Aldermen Like Edward Burke? It’s Not Entirely Clear.” by Gregory Pratt, John Byrne, and Juan Perez, Jr. for Chicago Tribune

Oklahoma: “Lawmaker’s Firm Reaps Payment to Help Throw Speaker’s Ball” by Trevor Brown for Oklahoma Watch

Lobbying

National: “Federal Inquiry of Trump Friend Focused on Foreign Lobbying” by Sharon LaFraniere, Maggie Haberman, William Rashbaum, Ben Protess, and David Kirkpatrick (New York Times) for MSN

Nebraska: “Nebraska Lets Legislators Shift from Lawmaking to Lobbying” by Grant Schulte for AP News

New York: “JCOPE Pursues Lobbying Case Against Alleged Rape Victim” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

The San Diego City Council passed an ordinance amending lobbying rules based on recommendations from the city Ethics Commission.

Ordinance 2019-148 modifies the definition of “activity expense” to include any payment made by a lobbyist to a city official if during the previous 12 months the lobbyist engaged in lobbying the city official’s department, agency, or city board.

The ordinance also changes the disclosure of employment-related activity expenses from specific dollar amounts to one of seven disclosure categories.

If signed by the mayor, the ordinance takes effect in 2020 when the first quarter filing is due.

Campaign Finance

National: “How Fundraisers Convinced Conservatives to Donate $10 Million – Then Kept Almost All of It.” by Maggie Severns (Politico) and Derek Willis for ProPublica

National: “Should Regulators Let Jet-Setting Tom Price Use Campaign Cash for Nonprofit Travel and Expenses?” by Laura Zornosa for Center for Public Integrity

Elections

National: “It’s Not Just the Russians Anymore as Iranians and Others Turn Up Disinformation Efforts Ahead of 2020 Vote” by Craig Timberg and Tony Romm (Washingtin Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Texts, Sex, Lies and Corruption: Here’s What Has Forced Governors Out of Office” by Adeel Hassan for New York Times

National: “Meet the Man Who Created the Fake Presidential Seal – a Former Republican Fed Up with Trump” by Reis Thebault and Michael Brice-Saddler (Washington Post) for MSN

Florida: “Ethics Complaint Filed Against CFO Jimmy Patronis for Releasing Harassment Allegation” by Lawrence Mower for Tampa Bay Times

Lobbying

Iowa: “Iowa Restrictions on Lawmaker-to-Lobbyist Revolving Door Praised” by James Lynch for The Gazette

Minnesota: “Complaint: Corrections official lobbied for husband’s group on state time” by Briana Bierschbach, Brian Bakst, and Nina Moini for Minnesota Public Radio

This month, a group of member associations, non-profits, and businesses working within the City of Boston submitted a memorandum of legal analysis regarding the city’s Lobbyist Registration and Regulation Ordinance expressing their key concerns with the legislation.

The ordinance, passed in October of 2018, took effect on April 16, 2019 and implemented broad lobbyist registration requirements and quarterly reporting.

The submitted memorandum asserts the ordinance is overbroad and does not include lobbyist registration exceptions present in state and federal law, including the de minimis threshold for incidental lobbying activity.

The memorandum also suggests language for proposed amendments to provide clarity while continuing to promote transparency and accountability.

National/Federal

Appeals Court Judges Send Emoluments Suit Against Trump Back to a Lower Court
New York Times – Sharon LaFraniere | Published: 7/19/2019

A federal appeals court delivered a setback to a lawsuit by congressional Democrats accusing President Trump of illegally benefiting from his business interests while in office, saying a lower court judge hearing the suit had not adequately considered questions about the separation of powers between the president and Congress. The order by a three-judge panel is a new sign that Trump will not be forced to produce evidence in lawsuits claiming he has violated the anticorruption clauses of the Constitution until the novel legal questions raised in those cases are resolved. The clauses restrict the ability of federal official to accept benefits, or “emoluments,” from foreign or state governments.

As Vice President, Biden Said Ukraine Should Increase Gas Production. Then His Son Got a Job with a Ukrainian Gas Company.
San Francisco Chronicle – Michael Kranish and David Stern (Washington Post) | Published: 7/22/2019

As Joe Biden announced he was seeking the presidency, his son Hunter quietly left his position with Ukraine’s largest private gas company after serving for five years. From the moment Hunter Biden took the job in 2014, Republicans have said it presented a conflict-of-interest for the Bidens. Joe Biden, then the vice president, was the point person on Ukraine policy in the Obama administration. He offered U.S. aid to Ukraine to increase gas production, which could benefit the Ukrainian energy industry. Now Hunter Biden’s service on the board of Burisma Holdings has emerged as an issue facing his father’s campaign. Just as Trump has faced repeated questions about whether his family has sought to benefit financially from his presidency, a similar focus is being given to Hunter Biden’s dealings.

Associate of Michael Flynn Is Found Guilty of Secretly Lobbying for Turkey
MSN – Adam Goldman (New York Times) | Published: 7/23/2019

A business associate of the former national security adviser Michael Flynn was convicted of secretly lobbying for Turkey, a victory for the government after the judge considered dismissing the case because prosecutors lacked evidence. Judge Anthony Trenga had described the evidence against Flynn’s associate, Bijan Kian, as speculative and very circumstantial but let the case go to the jury. Trenga could still toss the verdict and scheduled a September hearing on the matter. Kian was charged with conspiracy to violate lobbying laws and failure to register as a foreign agent. Flynn’s association with the case was front and center during the trial. He pleaded guilty in a separate case to lying the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador and lying on foreign lobbying disclosure forms related to his own work for Turkey.

Big Donor Steyer’s Presidential Run Could Deny Millions to Other Democratic Races
Reuters – Sharon Bernstein | Published: 7/18/2019

Billionaire Tom Steyer, a longtime friend and key donor to liberal candidates and causes, says he decided to run for the Democratic presidential nomination next year because no other candidate was offering a “mandate for change.” But by deciding to fund his longshot bid with $100 million of his own money, some Democratic activists believe all he will end up doing is denying his money to grassroots organizations and candidates in Senate and House races that Democrats are desperate to win. “Every dollar he spends on himself is a dollar that’s not going into something that can make a difference,” said consultant Steven Maviglio, who worked with Steyer in 2010 to defeat a ballot measure aimed at weakening California’s greenhouse gas emissions law.

Dem Frontrunners Cash in on Slippery Definition of Lobbying
Politico – Theodoric Meyer | Published: 7/19/2019

While a few Democratic presidential candidates have said they will not accept contributions from K Street lobbyists, the Lobbyist Disclosure Act makes that pledge difficult to enforce. Some on K Street were able to donate because they are not registered to lobby, a legal requirement for people who meet criteria such as devoting at least 20 percent of the total time they spend working for each client to lobbying. People who oversee teams of lobbyists or work on corporate advocacy campaigns often do not meet that definition. Others have found it is easy to stay below the 20 percent threshold since they can quickly text or email the lawmakers they hope to influence.

Democratic Presidential Candidates Divided Over Returning Donations from Foreign Government Lobbyists
San Jose Mercury News – Casey Tolan | Published: 7/25/2019

From K Street lobbyists representing Saudi Arabia and Qatar to a radio operator broadcasting a Russian state-run news channel, Americans working on behalf of foreign governments have sent the Democratic presidential candidates tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. As the donations flow in, there is a growing divide among the campaigns about whether to pocket the money or send it back. American citizens who work for a foreign government, political party, or organization in a political capacity are required to register as “foreign agents” with the Department of Justice. There is nothing illegal about them giving money to candidates. But at a time when many Democrats are increasingly worried about foreign influence in the U.S. political system, rejecting the donations is a way for the candidates to shore up their good government bona fides.

Democrats Look to Capitalize on Turmoil Inside NRA
The Hill – Alex Gangitano | Published: 7/23/2019

Democrats and allies are looking to capitalize on turmoil at the National Rifle Association (NRA) ahead of the 2020 presidential election. The NRA has been hit by high-profile departures and a power struggle among its leaders, leading to questions about its role in the upcoming election. The NRA has long dominated the gun control debate in the country and showered its favored candidates with coveted endorsements and funding. But with the organization in transition, Democrats see it is a prime opportunity to push back on the issue of gun violence. Groups pushing for tougher gun rules say they will ramp up their own spending in 2020, building on the midterms, which saw a number of gun control candidates elected.

Emails Show DeVos Aides Pulled Strings for Failing For-Profit Colleges
New York Times – Erica Green and Stacy Cowley | Published: 7/23/2019

Dream Center Education Holdings had no experience in higher education when it petitioned the U.S. Department of Education to let it take over a troubled chain of for-profit trade schools. The purchase was approved despite Dream Center’s lack of experience and questionable finances by an administration favorable to for-profit education. But barely a year later, the company tumbled into insolvency and dozens of its colleges closed abruptly. The college is accused of enrolling new students and taking their taxpayer-supported financial aid dollars even after some of its campuses had lost their accreditation. Company records show part of why Dream Center kept going is that it thought the Education Department would try to keep it from failing. Emails said the department’s head of higher education policy had pulled strings to help the company’s schools in their effort to regain a seal of approval from an accreditor.

EPA’s Watchdog Is Scrutinizing Ethics Practices of Agency’s Former Air Policy Chief
Anchorage Daily News – Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post) | Published: 7/22/2019

A key architect of the Trump administration’s efforts to weaken federal climate rules is under scrutiny by a watchdog for his dealings with industry players who lobbied the government to ease carbon pollution limits. It is the third inquiry into whether Bill Wehrum, who headed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air policy division from November 2017 until last month, violated federal ethics rules. The EPA’s inspector general is looking at Wehrum’s interactions with his former law firm as well as several of its clients, who rank among the nation’s major emitters of greenhouse gases linked to climate change, according to two individuals who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Internal Email: Microsoft suspends PAC donations temporarily following employee uproar
GeekWire – Nat Levy | Published: 7/24/2019

Microsoft is temporarily halting donations through its PAC after facing a backlash from employees protesting lack of influence over which candidates and campaigns the organization supported. The employees argued MSPAC used their money to support candidates that conflicted with important company values like diversity and inclusion. In addition to shutting down contributions until the fall, MSPAC will form new employee advisory councils to increase transparency and give employees more of a voice in how the PAC contributions are spent.

Mueller Answers Trump Taunts in Testimony Unlikely to Change the Political Dynamic
MSN – Ashley Parker, Racael Bade, Josh Dawsey, and Mike DeBonis (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2019

Testifying before Congress, former special counsel Robert Mueller, over the course of six hours, two hearings, and in his own understated – and at times juddering – way, pushed back on the months-long public relations offensive that President Trump and his team waged to undermine Mueller and his investigators. Mueller clarified his investigation and 448-page report did not, in fact, “totally exonerate” the president – contrary to Trump’s repeated claims – nor did it say there was no obstruction. He dismissed Trump’s frequent claims that Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election was a “hoax,” while also rejecting the president’s charge that his investigation was a “witch hunt.” But Mueller’s turn as a reluctant and at times uncomfortable witness seemed unlikely to change the political dynamic.

Puerto Rico Governor Says He Will Resign Amid Intense Political Pressure, Sweeping Protests
MSN – Arelis Hernandez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2019

The governor of Puerto Rico announced he will resign effective August 2, amid intense pressure from inside and outside his government, after a series of leaked chat messages denigrating his opponents and Hurricane Maria victims triggered outrage from frustrated citizens who had taken to the streets for 13 consecutive days of protests. Ricardo Rosselló had defied calls for his resignation as the island descended into upheaval. He lost support from nearly everyone in his ruling statehood party, and more than a dozen members of his administration had stepped down in recent days. Profanity-laced text messages, written on  an encrypted messaging app, showed Rosselló and 11 of his closest aides using sexist and homophobic language to demean female politicians, as well as journalists and Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, and make light of Hurricane Maria’s victims.

Trump Sues Lawmakers, NY Officials to Thwart Potential Release of State Tax Returns
The Hill – Jacqueline Thomsen and Naomi Jagoda | Published: 7/23/2019

President Trump sued the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, the New York state attorney general, and a New York state tax official to try to block any potential efforts by lawmakers to obtain his state tax returns. This lawsuit comes on the heels of a separate complaint filed by the Ways and Means Committee seeking Trump’s federal tax returns. Trump is asking a federal judge to issue permanent injunctions blocking House Democrats from requesting his tax returns under the law, stopping the New York attorney general from enforcing the law, and preventing the New York tax and finance commissioner from providing lawmakers with the tax documents.

Watchdog Group Wants D.C. to See What the States Know About Revolving Doors
The Fulcrom – David Hawkins | Published: 7/23/2019

Public Citizen’s national study of the “revolving door” rules in all 50 states finds most are tougher or better enforced than what is on the books at the federal level. The watchdog group is among those hoping to change that, in part by shining new light on the places where it sees ethical governance promoted above special interests’ influence. The limited way that Washington restricts the flow of people from Capitol Hill and the executive agencies down to K Street (and oftentimes back again) is maddening to advocates for a more open and cleaner government and was raised to new national consciousness by Donald Trump and his “drain the swamp” campaign mantra of 2016.

Zinke Taking Clients from Industries He Oversaw at Interior Department
San Francisco Chronicle – Ari Natter and Jennifer Dlouhy (Bloomberg) | Published: 7/23/2019

Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is lining up consulting clients in industries regulated by his former department at the same time he decries the ethics investigations that drove him from the Trump administration. Zinke dismissed the 15 ethics probes of his dealings atop the department as “BS.” He said his work does not run afoul of prohibitions on post-government employment. Under federal law, a waiting period blocks administration officials from lobbying their former agencies in the 12 months after they depart. Zinke’s business dealings illustrate the “revolving door” between government jobs and corporate interests, said Virginia Canter, chief ethics counsel for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Canada

Canada – Ontario’s Influencers: How the heads of lobbying firms have become part of Doug Ford’s inner circle
The Globe and Mail – Jim Mahoney and Karen Howlett | Published: 7/22/2019

Ontario Premier Doug Ford relies on the heads of two lobbying firms for advice, giving them access to his inner circle and influence over provincial politics through strategic direction, crisis management, and input on the recent cabinet shuffle. The close relationships have been fostered in an ethics environment that critics say allows a blurring of lines between lobbying, campaigning, and advising on government operations. Chris Froggatt and Kory Teneycke, who started government-relations firms weeks after helping the Progressive Conservative Party win the election last year, have become powerful backroom advisers to Ford at the same time as their employees lobby his administration.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Public Corruption Tough to Prove Without Smoking Gun
Arizona Capitol Times – Ben Chiles | Published: 7/19/2019

A record of investigations by the Arizona attorney general’s office under Mark Brnovich’s tenure reveals that prosecuting public corruption cases are far from simple. While Brnovich has had some success seeking charges or court rulings against elected officials at the highest levels of state government, recent probes show how nuanced filing charges can be, and how decisions about when to prosecute, or not, can hinge on quirks in statute. Without clear cut evidence – for example, videotapes in the 1991 AzScam case of Republican and Democratic lawmakers accepting payments and bribes from undercover investigators – even high-profile cases of corruption can be challenging to prove before a jury.

California – FBI Raids at DWP, L.A. City Hall Related to Fallout from Billing Debacle
Los Angeles Times – Dakota Smith, David Zahniser, Alene Tchekmediyan, and Laura Nelson | Published: 7/22/2019

FBI agents fanned across the Los Angeles area recently, serving search warrants at multiple government offices, including the Department of Water and Power (DWP), as part of an investigation into how the city responded to the disastrous rollout of a new customer billing system. The FBI raid was the second to occur at City Hall in less than a year. In November, agents hauled out boxes and bags of materials from two of Councilperson Jose Huizar’s offices as well as his home. Since then, a search warrant indicated federal investigators are looking into the activities of several other city officials. An excerpt of a federal search warrant shows investigators are seeking information about DWP contracts, awarded or proposed, with companies affiliated with attorney Paul Paradis, who was retained by the city attorney’s office.

Connecticut – Jon Lender: New state ethics director chosen for shrinking watchdog agency
Hartford Courant – Jon Lender | Published: 7/25/2019

Peter Lewandowski was offered the position of executive director of Connecticut’s Office of State Ethics (OSE), replacing Carol Carson, who is retiring on August 1. His appointment is not yet official pending final arrangements, including his new salary. Lewandowski, the deputy general counsel at the ethics agency, will take the helm of an office that has experienced a 33% cut in staff over the past 12 years. Lewandowski worked a few years with private law firms but has spent most of his legal career working for the OSE on projects attracting little public notice. These included overhauling the agency’s regulations and serving as counsel to Carson on legislative matters. He talked often with members of the General Assembly, testified at committee hearings on bills, and sought to develop bipartisan support for the OSE’s positions.

Florida – Former State Fair Authority Director Agrees to Pay $7,500 Fine to Settle Ethics Complaint
Tampa Bay Times – Tony Marrero | Published: 7/25/2019

Charles Pesano resigned as executive director of the Florida State Fair Authority in 2016 after an investigation found he funneled fair business to his family’s company and accepted Tampa Bay Rays tickets and a hot tub from fair vendors and business partners. Three years later, the episode is hitting him in the wallet. Pesano agreed to pay a $7,500 fine to the Florida Commission on Ethics to settle a complaint against him. A review by the commission found probable cause to support six of the 11 alleged violations of state law that prohibit public officials from accepting gifts and conducting business with their own agency. Pesano will also receive a public censure and reprimand if the commission approves the agreement.

Florida – In Fla., a Push for a Citizen-Only Voting Law
Laredo Morning Times – Amy Gardner and Alice Crites (Washington Post) | Published: 7/22/2019

A network of out-of-state political consultants, secret donors, and activists with ties to President Trump is behind an effort to change the Florida Constitution to explicitly state only citizens may vote in elections, a measure that would amplify the issue of immigration in the 2020 battleground state. Organizers said they have collected nearly twice the signatures needed to qualify for the ballot next year. While federal law explicitly bars noncitizen voting, the language in the Florida Constitution, like that of many states, says “every” citizen who is 18 may vote. The proposed amendment would change the language to say “only” a citizen may vote. Supporters of the amendment said the current phrasing is vague and leaves the door open to laws allowing noncitizens to cast ballots in local elections, now permitted in about a dozen jurisdictions around the country.

Florida – Kraft Infiniti TV Commercial Starring John Dailey Pulled from the Air at Mayor’s Request
Tallahassee Democrat – Jeff Burlew | Published: 7/19/2019

A television commercial for a Tallahassee car dealership that was recently yanked from the airwaves featured a most unusual pitchman, Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey. But Dailey says he was an unwitting participant in the ad, which was shot during a June groundbreaking of the Kraft Brothers’ Infiniti dealership. Dailey said as soon as he found out about the commercial, he asked the dealership to take it down. One viewer who happened to catch it called the city’s Independent Ethics Board’s hotline to complain. That prompted a review by the ethics officer, Julie Meadows-Keefe, who never saw the commercial but recommended the matter be closed without action after speaking with Dailey about it.

Illinois – Chicago City Council Approves Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Ethics Package; An Empowered Inspector General, Larger Fines Among Reforms
Chicago Tribune – John Byrne and Gregory Pratt | Published: 7/24/2019

The Chicago City Council unanimously approved Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s ethics reform package. Lightfoot has argued her overwhelming win in the April mayoral election gives her a mandate to tighten the rules on aldermanic behavior that is the focus of an ongoing federal investigation at City Hall. In addition to giving Inspector General Joseph Ferguson the ability to audit the city council’s committees, the mayor’s plan also increases fines for ethics violations from the current range of $500 to $2,000 up to $1,000 to $5,000. It broadens the definition of lobbyists to include nonprofits but waives their registration fees. Only those “paid or otherwise compensated” would be required to register.

Illinois – Has Your Alderman Been Indicted? New Website Highlights the History of Corruption in City Hall – And Hopes You’ll Hold New Leaders Accountable
Block Club Chicago – Alex Hernandez | Published: 7/25/2019

Before this spring’s election, four Chicago aldermen were out of jail on bond. Currently, there is one sitting alderman that under federal indictment. Now, a new website is making it easier for residents to know if their elected official is in trouble with the law. The website, hasmyaldermanbeenindicted.com, includes information on the aldermen for all 50 of the city’s wards, as well as the history of political corruption in each ward. Thirty Chicago aldermen have pleaded guilty or been convicted of crimes related to their official duties since 1972, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Iowa – Oops! Secretary of State’s Clerical Error Sets Back Iowa Ballot Measures
Governing – Alan Greenblatt | Published: 7/25/2019

Running elections is the highest-profile part of a secretary of state’s job. But in most states, there are myriad other responsibilities, such as handling business licenses, overseeing notaries, and performing a wide variety of disparate clerical functions. This year, a clerical error by the Iowa secretary of state’s office set back adoption of two constitutional amendments by at least two years. The state constitution requires that when an amendment has been passed the first time, voters must be informed at least three months ahead of the election in which they will elect a new Legislature. To make it official, the secretary of state is in charge of publishing notices in newspapers. This time, the publishing requirement fell through the cracks.

Maryland – In Wake of Healthy Holly Scandal, Baltimore City Council Gives Preliminary Approval to Stronger Ethics Law
Baltimore Sun – Ian Duncan | Published: 7/22/2019

The Baltimore City Council voted unanimously to strengthen the city’s financial disclosure laws, the first reform measure to win approval from a package of bills proposed this spring amid the scandal over former Mayor Catherine Pugh’s sales of her self-published children’s books. The ethics bill, which will be up for final approval at the council’s next meeting in August, would require disclosures of board memberships and clarify which city employees must file an annual disclosure of their financial interests. It also would stiffen the penalties for failing to file the forms. Pugh resigned after The Baltimore Sun disclosed hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales of her “Healthy Holly” books, some to organizations that do business with the city, and a raid of her home and office by federal authorities.

Massachusetts – Are Boston’s New Lobbying Rules Too Broad?
Boston Globe – Danny McDonald and Matt Stout | Published: 7/18/2019

A coalition that included the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, and Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association, said in a letter to city officials they were concerned new lobbying regulations in Boston, which went into effect in April, would mean “hundreds of individuals will face registration and reporting burdens for activities that are not traditionally considered lobbying as they go about their normal course of business.” The group provided city officials with a legal analysis prepared by the law firm Foley Hoag that highlighted their concerns and provided “examples of how certain sections could create barriers and burdens to participation in government.” The analysis also proposed new language for amendments to the law.

Minnesota – Former Corrections Official Says She’s Unfairly Accused of Lobbying on State Time
Minneapolis Star Tribune – Stephen Montemayor | Published: 7/23/2019

A top Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) official who quit her post recently said she has been accused of lobbying on state time for a veterans’ nonprofit organization run by her husband, an allegation she denied. Sarah Walker, who left her job as a deputy commissioner, indicated she is being unfairly investigated in connection with her ties to the Veterans Defense Project, a Minneapolis nonprofit that does legal work for military veterans. Although DOC officials have said little about the investigation, Walker acknowledged officials had received a complaint alleging she conducted lobbying activities on state time. She denied she had met with lawmakers or with officials in the administration of Gov. Tim Walz on behalf of her husband’s group.

Mississippi – It’s Legal: Candidates could lose election, but pocket campaign cash through loophole
Jackson Clarion-Ledger – Luke Ramseth | Published: 7/23/2019

A loophole in state law allows Mississippi politicians to personally profit from their campaign funds, as long as they use money raised before 2018. Many candidates running in upcoming statewide elections still have significant campaign money saved up from that time, a review of filings found. While lawmakers drew praise for campaign finance reform they passed in 2017, Mississippi’s current law, including the lack of spending rules for old money, remains among the most relaxed in the country.

Montana – Montana’s Top Political Cop Wants 3 Years of State GOP Records
The Missoulian – Holly Michels | Published: 7/23/2019

The commissioner of political practices is demanding the Montana Republican Party turn over campaign finance and other party records it subpoenaed as part of a 2018 campaign finance investigation. But the state GOP is refusing, saying the commissioner does not have the authority and the original complaint is unfounded. The Montana Democratic Party filed a complaint claiming the GOP did not properly report “personal services” in financial disclosures in the 2016 election cycle. Those services are time spent by party staffers assisting state-level candidates with any tasks or services. Democrats had previously been the subject of a complaint filed by a conservative blogger over its use of party employees to help candidates.

Nevada – Ex-Nevada Senate Democrat Sentenced for Campaign Fund Fraud
AP News – Ken Ritter | Published: 7/18/2019

Former Nevada Senate Majority Leader Kelvin Atkinson was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison and fined almost $250,000 for misusing campaign funds to pay personal bills and open a Las Vegas nightclub where he hosted political fundraisers. U.S. Attorney Nicholas Trutanich said poor record keeping kept the FBI from determining how the more than $1.1 million Atkinson reported receiving in campaign contributions from 2010 to 2017 was spent. But he said investigators found a discrepancy of more than $450,000.

New Hampshire – As Lobbying in N.H. Grows More Complex, It’s Nearly Impossible to Follow the Money
New Hampshire Public Radio – Casey McDermott | Published: 7/18/2019

Lobbyists have long been part of the fabric of the New Hampshire Capitol, helping shape policy on a wide range of issues. But their influence is often hard to measure. A New Hampshire Public Radio investigation found the state’s lobbying corps represents all kinds of interests – including, increasingly, nonprofit organizations and out-of-state corporations. But there is little consistency in what information is reported about how much money any client is spending on its lobbying efforts and where that money is going. There is little to no oversight of the lobbyists’ financial disclosure forms. No one is enforcing penalties to ensure the reports are filed, let alone filled out completely and correctly.

New York – Charter Review Commission Gives Final Approval to 19 Proposals in 5 Questions to Appear on November Ballot
Gotham Gazette – Samar Khurshid | Published: 7/25/2019

The New York City Charter Revision Commission officially approved the language of 19 ballot proposals that will be put before voters for the November 5 general election. The ballot proposals are as varied as they are numerous and are grouped into five overarching questions on the ballot. The first of the three elections-related proposals would establish ranked-choice voting in primary and special elections for all city government seats beginning in January 2021. Former city officials and employees currently face a one-year ban from appearing as a lobbyist before the agency or branch of government they served. The commission proposed expanding that to two years for anyone leaving their post after January 2022.

New York – For 105 Clients, Manhattan’s Democratic Leader Now Registered Lobbyist
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 7/18/2019

Between January and July, former New York Assemblyperson Keith Wright, now the leader of the Manhattan Democratic Party, registered as a lobbyist for 72 clients with business before state government. Around the same time Wright was asked about the lobbying, his firm registered him for 33 additional clients. Though Wright says he has never lobbied state lawmakers from Manhattan, he has lobbied their staff members. State law appears to require Wright to file annual financial disclosure forms, but for the past two years he has not. The law also places certain restrictions on the business activities of political party leaders. A faction of the Manhattan Democratic Party has pushed for a rule change to ban paid lobbyists from being the party’s leader; the matter was tabled last year by Wright allies.

Pennsylvania – After a Bombshell Corruption Scandal, Lower Southampton Grapples with Restoring Faith in Government
Philadelphia Inquirer – Vinny Vella | Published: 7/19/2019

John Waltman was a judge, but he acted like a king in his hometown of Lower Southampton, a working-class suburb of Philadelphia. It was an arrogance born of years of political dominance, steeled by backroom deals and barroom meetings. It was shattered in 2016, when Waltman and two of his lieutenants, township Public Safety Director Robert Hoopes and Constable Bernard Rafferty, were indicted on federal corruption charges. They were accused of shaking down business owners seeking township contracts and laundering money they believed was from illegal drug sales. The feds also nabbed Lower Southampton’s former solicitor, Michael Savona, for lying to the FBI about the way the men ran the township. Current township officials insist Lower Southampton is moving beyond the scandal, that the old regime is felled. But they recognize that there is rebuilding to do.

Tennessee – Analysis: 4 areas officials could eye in campaign finance probe of Glen Casada
The Tennessean – Joel Ebert | Published: 7/23/2019

With state officials expected to open an investigation into Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada’s campaign finances, the embattled lawmaker could face significant scrutiny for how he has spent donors’ money in recent years. Casada, who controls a PAC as well as his personal campaign committee, has more than $560,000 at his disposal. In the last two years, he has raised more than $600,000 and spent $445,000 out of the two committees. Casada used campaign money to cover items ranging from travel to a membership at a private club with a restaurant. While lawmakers are prohibited from using money in their personal campaign accounts for personal expenditures, PACs face no such limits. But a probe into his PAC could further highlight the loophole in state law that allows personal expenses.

Texas – As Austin Ethics Cases Make Headlines, What’s the Penalty?
Austin American-Statesman – Elizabeth Findell | Published: 7/19/2019

The powers of the Austin Ethics Commission are relatively toothless compared with those in some cities on the East and West coasts, which can issue fines or other sanctions in cases of violations. Austin’s council-appointed commission hears complaints against elected and appointed officials and their staffs. If it finds a violation, it can issue one of three types of letters or, in extreme cases, offer a recommendation the person be removed from his or her job. The board can also refer cases for criminal prosecution by city attorneys, but it has not done so in recent decades. As Austin grows, its policies and processes surrounding city ethics have seen more scrutiny as prominent cases have tested them.

Texas – Second Person Pleads Guilty in Federal Bribery Case Involving Dallas City Hall and Housing Developer
Dallas News – Kevin Krause and Sara Coello | Published: 7/23/2019

A second person named in a public corruption case involving former Dallas City Councilperson Carolyn Davis has pleaded guilty. Jeremy Scroggins admitted to using his nonprofit company, Hip Hop Government, to funnel bribes from developer Ruel Hamilton to Davis, who was at the time chair of the council’s housing committee. In exchange, Davis lobbied for and voted for Hamilton’s housing project. Scroggins is the third person to be charged in the case. He acknowledged not reporting the bribes to authorities, records show. The addition of Scroggins could bolster the government’s case against Hamilton, which took a hit with the unexpected death of Davis, a key witness who had pleaded guilty to her involvement.

Washington – Interest Groups Are Pouring Money into Seattle’s City Council Elections Using No-Limit PACs
Seattle Times – Daniel Beekman | Published: 7/19/2019

Businesses, unions, and other interest groups have started pouring money into Seattle City Council races ahead of the August 6 primary election, using PACs that can collect and spend unlimited amounts of money. The special independent committees can accept huge cash contributions and spend as much as they want to support or oppose candidates, as long as they do not coordinate with the candidates. Some have already spent more than the candidates have spent themselves, buying the interest groups major clout. Seattle voters in 2015 approved a groundbreaking democracy vouchers program, which allows residents to assign taxpayer-funded vouchers to qualifying candidates. Meanwhile, outside money appears to be on the rise.

Washington DC – D.C. Council Member’s Cousin Is Listed in $215 Million No-Bid Gambling Contract
San Francisco Chronicle – Fenit Nirappil (Washington Post) | Published: 7/18/2019

The cousin of a District of Columbia Council member who cast a deciding vote for a no-bid sports gambling contract is listed as the chief executive officer of a business that would receive $3 million under the deal. City officials awarded a five-year, $215 million contract to the Greek gambling company Intralot to manage the city lottery and an upcoming online sports betting program. Plans that Intralot submitted list Keith McDuffie, cousin of Councilperson Kenyan McDuffie, as the CEO and point of contact for Potomac Supply, a subcontractor that would receive $3 million over five years to supply commercial paper products. The plans are required to demonstrate that Intralot is meeting city targets for including local and minority-owned businesses.

Campaign Finance

Tennessee: “Analysis: 4 areas officials could eye in campaign finance probe of Glen Casada” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

Elections

Iowa: “Oops! Secretary of State’s Clerical Error Sets Back Iowa Ballot Measures” by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

Ethics

National: “Emails Show DeVos Aides Pulled Strings for Failing For-Profit Colleges” by Erica Green and Stacy Cowley for New York Times

National: “Trump Sues Lawmakers, NY Officials to Thwart Potential Release of State Tax Returns” by Jacqueline Thomsen and Naomi Jagoda for The Hill

National: “Major Moments of Robert Mueller’s Testimony to Congress” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Mark Mazzetti for New York Times

Illinois: “New Ethics Rules Put Burke on Hot Seat: To avoid hefty fines, choose law firm or city council seat” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

Texas: “Second Person Pleads Guilty in Federal Bribery Case Involving Dallas City Hall and Housing Developer” by Kevin Krause and Sara Coello for Dallas News

Lobbying

National: “Zinke Taking Clients from Industries He Oversaw at Interior Department” by Ari Natter and Jennifer Dlouhy (Bloomberg) for San Francisco Chronicle