National/Federal

As President, Trump Demanded Investigations of Foes. He Often Got Them.

DNyuz – Michael Schmidt (New York Times) | Published: 9/21/2024

Donald Trump deployed his power as president against his perceived enemies despite warnings not to do so by top aides. A look back at the cases of 10 individuals brings the pattern into clearer focus. After Trump made repeated public or private demands for them to be targeted by the government, they faced federal pressure of one kind or another. Even without his direct order, Trump’s indirect influence could serve his ends and leave those in his sights facing expensive, time-consuming legal proceedings or other high-stress inquiries.

FEC Forgoes New AI Rulemaking Ahead of Election

MSN – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 9/19/2024

A bipartisan cohort of commissioners on the FEC voted to forgo new rulemaking on Artificial Intelligence (AI), citing a lack of authority to limit or prohibit the use of the developing technology in federal elections. Public Citizen had asked the agency to revise the existing ban on the fraudulent misrepresentation of campaign authority to make clear it prohibits deliberately deceptive campaign ads that use AI.

Smartmatic’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Newsmax Is Headed to Trial. What’s at Stake?

MSN – Stephen Battaglio (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 9/20/2024

Newsmax will go to court to defend itself against a defamation lawsuit filed by Smartmatic, a voting machine technology company. Smartmatic says its reputation was damaged by false statements made on the network regarding voter fraud allegations in the 2020 presidential election. Smartmatic’s suit says Newsmax provided a platform for its hosts, Donald Trump, and the former president’s attorneys and allies to falsely claim the company’s software was manipulated to deliver the election for President Biden.

Latest Strategy in Fighting Election Skepticism: Radical transparency

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 9/24/2024

Donald Trump’s relentless focus on how votes are cast and counted, along with false and fantastical information floated by him and his prominent supporters, has led to a dramatic increase in the number of people who are observing and scrutinizing the process across the nation. In just a few short years, the election process in many states, especially closely watched battlegrounds, has been transformed. Now, many officials around the nation are taking steps to rebuild confidence in elections.

One Judge, One Courthouse: Why judge-shopping is an issue in the U.S.

MSN – Tobi Raji (Washington Post) | Published: 9/23/2024

Leaders of the federal court system and some members of Congress are trying to limit the practice of judge shopping – when a person or group files a lawsuit in a carefully chosen court where they believe the judge will be inclined to rule in their favor. Neither the Democratic nor Republican legislation seems likely to advance in a polarized Congress, however. Guidance from the policymaking body that oversees the courts was greeted with hostility in some court chambers, with chief judges saying it is up to them to decide case-assignment procedures.

Defense Contracting Firm First to Be Sentenced in SPAWAR Bribery Scheme

MSN – Alex Riggins (San Diego Union-Tribune) | Published: 9/24/2024

A judge sentenced a defense contracting firm to pay more than $4.1 million in fines and forfeitures as part of a corruption scandal in which one of the firm’s executives bribed a civilian employee from San Diego’s Naval Information Warfare Center in exchange for millions of dollars in government contracts. Cambridge International Systems was ordered to forfeit more than $1.67 million and pay a fine of $2.5 million after pleading guilty to a bribery conspiracy. The firm admitted to committing the criminal act through a handful of employees.

Judge Allows Lengthy Brief in Trump Case, Rejecting Claim of Election Impact

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 9/24/2024

A federal judge granted prosecutors’ request to file an up-to-180-page legal brief arguing why Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election should not be immune from criminal prosecution, rejecting the former president’s claims that its timing was unfair or politically motivated with the election approaching. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan agreed with special counsel Jack Smith’s office, which argued the briefing was necessary because the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity required her as trial judge to decide what allegations and evidence against Trump could be admissible.

US Supreme Court Justices, Other Judges Can Stay at Corporate-Owned Homes Without Disclosure

MSN – Nate Raymond (Reuters) | Published: 9/24/2024

Supreme Court justices and federal judges on lower courts do not have to publicly disclose when they dine or stay at someone’s personal residence, even one owned by a business entity, under a revised ethics rule. The Judicial Conference’s Committee on Financial Disclosure said the disclosure regulations were updated to “clarify” the extent to which gifts received at personal residences owned by corporate entities could be deemed “personal hospitality” that judges did not need to list on their disclosure reports.

A New York Republican Flipped His District Red, Then Hired His Mistress and His Fiancé’s Daughter

MSN – Marin Scotten (Salon) | Published: 9/24/2024

A member of Congress could be in breach of House ethics rules after he hired a woman that he was having an affair with and his fiancée’s daughter to work in his office, the New York Times reported. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito got his break in politics thanks in part due to his connections with a group of powerful Republicans in Nassau County, who are famous for hiring their friends and family into local government.

Senate Panel Calls for Changes at the Secret Service and a Budget Evaluation

MSN – Maria Sacchetti and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 9/25/2024

A Senate committee investigating the July 13 shooting at a Donald Trump rally is urging Congress to evaluate the Secret Service’s budget and require the agency provide security to U.S. leaders and political candidates based on the threats they face, and not whether they are in office. The Secret Service has said it is seeking a significant increase to the agency’s $3 billion annual budget to hire more agents, update equipment, and increase training after the Pennsylvania shooting and a potential attack against Trump in Florida.

A New Mystery Firm Enters Trump’s Orbit, Rekindling Criticism of His Presidential Campaign Spending

Yahoo News – Richard Lardner (Associated Press) | Published: 9/26/2024

Launchpad Strategies was incorporated less than a year ago and has since received $15 million from Donald Trump’s election fundraising machine. For what is mostly a mystery. Campaign finance experts said Launchpad Strategies was built for anonymity and is the latest example of how the Trump campaign has used secretive businesses to obscure its spending from the public.

Lobbyists Exploit Massive Loophole to Wine and Dine Lawmakers, Aides at Fancy Getaways

Yahoo News – Adriana Navarro, Caley Fox Shannon, Taylor Nichols, and Heidi Przybyla (Politico) | Published: 9/22/2024

Members of Congress and their staff have taken at least 17,000 trips since 2012 that were paid for by private parties, many of them nonprofits with deep ties to lobbyists and special interests, such as the Congressional Institute. Congressional travel rules generally bar lobbyists from playing a significant role in organizing or participating in trips sponsored by corporate entities. None of these restrictions apply to nonprofits such as the Congressional Institute, which arranges multiday trips to luxury hotels and resorts. There is nothing preventing lobbyists and industry officials from participating as speakers or attendees at the events.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Campaign Funds Can Be Used for Child Care, AG Kris Mayes Says

Arizona Mirror – Caitlin Sievers | Published: 9/17/2024

Arizona candidates for public office can use their campaign funds to pay for childcare needs while they are campaigning, state Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a legal opinion. Just seven weeks out from the general election in November, the opinion is unlikely to have a great impact this election cycle. But supporters hope they can spread the word over the next two years to spur single mothers and fathers, and others who were held back by childcare costs, to run for office.

Arizona – Arizona’s Top Court Says Voters Missing Citizenship Proof Can Receive Full Ballots

MSN – Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 9/20/2024

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled nearly 100,000 voters should receive regular ballots this fall even though there is no record they had submitted documentation to state officials proving they are citizens. The battleground state’s high court issued its ruling three days after officials told the justices they had recently discovered state computer systems had identified some longtime residents as having provided citizenship documents even though they had not.

California – Critics Say Lawmakers Watered Down California’s Lemon Car Law after Secret Lobbyist Negotiations

MSN – Ryan Sabalow (CalMatters) | Published: 9/23/2024

Californians have relied on the state’s “lemon law” to fight back against car makers that sell them defective vehicles. Now, critics say the state’s ability to recoup their money after buying a clunker could become more difficult, due to a hastily passed bill that lobbyists representing U.S. auto manufacturers and powerful attorneys groups drafted in secret. How the bill came to end up on the governor’s desk is the latest example of how bills are often passed with little time for public input or legislative debate.

California – Should Oakland Allow for Bigger Political Campaign Contributions?

MSN – Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) | Published: 9/20/2024

The amount of money individuals can give to candidates running for Oakland City Council and other positions this November might increase by a couple of hundred dollars, a possibility that some ethics officials and good government advocates oppose. The proposal would essentially restore the higher contribution limits that existed in Oakland before passage of Measure W in 2022. Supporters of the change say the lower contribution amounts has created a financial crunch that has been especially hard for candidates running for the at-large council seat and for city attorney.

California – O.C. Board of Supervisors Censures Embattled Member Andrew Do

MSN – Andrew Campa (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 9/24/2024

The Orange County Board of Supervisors censured Andrew Do, marking another significant, if ceremonial, rebuke of the embattled politician. The board condemned Do “for his failure to abide by the code of ethics and commitment to public service, and for the reckless judgment and favoritism he has demonstrated.” Do, who is in the last year of his final term, has not attended a board meeting since August 13. The censure follows the board’s decision to remove Do from all committee and board appointments.

California – Oakland’s Chief Ethics Investigator Quits

MSN – Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) | Published: 9/25/2024

Simon Russell, the enforcement chief of Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission, is resigning. Russell’s primary reason for leaving is the city’s refusal to give his team more resources, despite his repeated warnings about a staffing crisis. “I can only conclude that this failure is largely deliberate, even despite (or perhaps because of) the considerable public interest in our cases that have been brought partially to light,” Russell wrote.

Georgia – Pro-Trump Georgia Election Board Votes to Require Hand Counts of Ballots

MSN – Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 9/20/2024

Georgia’s State Election Board passed a measure requiring local precincts to conduct hand counts for the November election and confirm the figures match machine counts before certifying election results. The change was led by a pro-Donald Trump majority that has enacted a series of changes to the state’s election rules. Critics accused the board of intentionally injecting chaos and uncertainty into the presidential contest. Election supervisors said hand counts would take too long, cost money, and almost certainly produce counting errors.

Hawaii – Hawaii Lawmaker to Pay $12,500 To Settle Ethics Commission Complaint

Honolulu Civil Beat – Kevin Dayton | Published: 9/19/2024

The Hawaii Ethics Commission agreed to settle a complaint against state Rep. David Alcos over allegations he failed to disclose an array of debts on disclosures that candidates and lawmakers are required to file. Those debts include more than $3.2 million in federal and state tax liens filed against Alcos to collect taxes owed by Alcos’ company, D.A. Builders LLC.

Illinois – With Jury Stuck 11-1, Judge Declares Mistrial in Case of Ex-AT&T Boss Accused of Bribing Speaker Madigan

MSN – Jason Meisner, Rebecca Johnson, and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 9/20/2024

A federal judge declared a mistrial in the bribery case of former AT&T executive Paul La Schiazza after the jury said it was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. La Schiazza was accused of secretly funneling payments to an ally of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for the speaker’s assistance passing key legislation for AT&T in Springfield, allegations that are also included in the racketeering indictment against Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain.

Indiana – Council OKs Revised Elected-Official Pay, Ethics Disclosure Ordinances

Indianapolis Business Journal – Taylor Wooten | Published: 9/24/2024

The Indianapolis City-County Council approved two ordinances at their recent meeting, one that increases long-stagnant countywide elected official pay and the other requiring councilors to fill out more in-depth, publicly available disclosure forms. The ordinance makes councilor financial disclosure, currently available only through a public records request, easily accessible online. It would also expand the amount of information councilors are required to report about their employer and finances.

Kansas – ‘A Breakdown’: Kansas missed signs dead ex-official worked both sides of $425k grant

Yahoo News – Chance Swaim and Jonathan Shorman (Kansas City Star) | Published: 9/20/2024

A former Kansas Department of Commerce official suspected of embezzling public funds handled money for a community foundation that received a $425,000 grant while he oversaw the same grant at the state agency that awarded it, an apparent conflict-of-interest now coming under scrutiny. Two top Commerce officials – Lt. Gov. David Toland, who leads the agency, and Robert North, the agency’s general counsel – signed off on the grant amid warning signs that the official was working on both sides of the grant.

Michigan – Lobbyist Sold His Condo to a Lawmaker at a Loss While Another Rents Rooms to Legislators

MSN – Alex Walters and Jack Armstrong (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 9/25/2024

A lobbyist sold his Lansing condominium to a state representative at a financial loss in the largest-ever financial transaction between a lobbyist and a Michigan legislator over the last 20 years. Nathan Piwowarski, while registered as a lobbyist, disclosed he sold his condo to then-state Rep. Phil Potvin. Piwowarski bought the condo for $106,900 in 2003 and sold it to Potvin for $79,000 in 2011. Piwowarski said he sold the condo for fair market value. Michigan law does not require an independent evaluation of that claim.

Michigan – Michigan Lawmakers Feast and Fly for Free, but the System for Tracking Freebies Is Broken

Yahoo News – Eye on Michigan | Published: 9/23/2024

Lobbyists spend millions of dollars entertaining state officials in Michigan, but it is difficult to determine what lawmakers accept because the state’s system for tracking influencers’ gifts to legislators is flawed, rife with loopholes, and relies on the honor system, according to a media investigation. Nearly two-thirds of all spending was classified as “group food & beverage,” making it impossible to determine how much each lawmaker received in free meals.

Mississippi – Late-Arriving 2024 Ballots Challenged by GOP at Appeals Court

MSN – Zoe Tillman (Bloomberg) | Published: 9/24/2024

A federal appeals court weighed a Republican challenge to Mississippi counting mail ballots that arrive within five days of an election as long as they are postmarked by that date, in a showdown that could wind up at the U.S. Supreme Court. While Mississippi is not a battleground state in the presidential race, the case could fuel other 2024 legal challenges in states with similar rules four years after the pandemic made absentee voting an election flashpoint.

Nebraska – State Sen. Mike McDonnell Deflates GOP Hopes for Nebraska Winner-Take-All in 2024

Nebraska Examiner – Aaron Sanderford | Published: 9/23/2024

The Republican push to change how Nebraska awards its Electoral College votes and boost Donald Trump ran into political reality as a key lawmaker, state Sen. Mike McDonnell, announced he would not support the change. Nebraska and Maine are the only states that award a single Electoral College vote to the winner in each congressional district, plus two votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote. McDonnell’s “no” on winner-take-all leaves Republicans in Nebraska’s Legislature with no path to overcoming a promised filibuster unless a Democrat or nonpartisan senator defects.

New Jersey – Party Boss George Norcross’ Indictment Details a Web of Corruption Across South Jersey

Gothamist – Nancy Solomon | Published: 9/22/2024

The indictment of New Jersey political boss George Norcross provides new evidence of how he wielded political power in Camden, creating a patronage pipeline that placed his allies in well-paying, influential jobs. George Norcross, his brother Philip, former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, and three others are charged with running a criminal enterprise that used political power to steal property and development rights along the Camden waterfront from the rightful owners.

New Mexico – Settlement Reached on Disclosure of Donors, Expenditures of Latino Election Group

Yahoo News – Colleen Heild (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 9/23/2024

New Mexicans will find out the identities of the individuals and organizations that contributed to a political committee aimed at combating the influence of progressive Democrats in this year’s legislative elections. The New Mexico Project, and one of its founders, Jeff Apodaca, agreed to settle a legal battle over the project’s failure to comply with state campaign reporting laws. In a settlement, The New Mexico Project registered with the state and promised to disclose its contributions and expenditures by October 2.

New York – NYC Mayor Eric Adams Indicted on 5 Federal Public Corruption Charges, Including Bribery and Wire Fraud

MSN – Evan Perez, Mark Morales, Kara Scannell, Brynn Gingras, and Gloria Pazmino (CNN) | Published: 9/26/2024

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on corruption charges following a federal investigation. Adams, the first mayor of New York City to ever be charged with a crime while in office, faces, five charges related to bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals. The indictment alleges illegal actions stretching back to 2014, from when he was Brooklyn Borough president.

North Carolina – N.C. Republican Vows to Continue Campaign for Governor Amid Fallout of CNN Story

MSN – Patrick Svitek, Amy Gardner, and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 9/19/2024

Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor in North Carolina, vowed to continue his campaign amid the fallout over a CNN story about comments he made on a pornographic website’s message board more than a decade ago. CNN reported Robinson called himself a “black NAZI!” on the forum in 2010 and voiced support for bringing back slavery the same year. Robinson, who has expressed hostility toward transgender people in his campaign, also said on the message board that he liked to watch transgender pornography.

North Dakota – Ethics Commission to Seek Legislation to Bolster Transparency, Investigative Authority

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 9/25/2024

The North Dakota Ethics Commission is planning to propose legislation during next year’s session that would overhaul how it investigates potential violations. Staff say the changes would bring the panel more in line with the original vision for the Ethics Commission approved by voters. The proposed changes would also give the commission more control over when and how it conducts investigations. The commission would also for the first time have the freedom to dismiss or informally resolve allegations before an official investigation is launched.

Ohio – Ohio’s Controversial Ban on Foreign Contributions to State Ballot-Issue Campaigns Takes Effect, at Least for Now

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/25/2024

Ohio’s ban on non-citizens contributing money to state ballot-issue campaigns is now in force, at least for the time being, as a federal appeals court panel lifted a temporary freeze on the new law. A District Court judge had ruled that authorities could not enforce the ban because it unconstitutionally restricted free-speech rights of lawful permanent residents, also known as green-card holders.

Ohio – Ohio Sheriff Barred from Working Elections After Posts about Harris Signs

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 9/24/2024

The Portage County, Ohio, elections board barred its sheriff’s office from providing security during early voting after Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski urged people to collect the addresses of residents displaying yard signs for Vice President Kamala Harris. The messages sparked concerns among local residents, civil rights groups, and regional politicians about voter intimidation during the presidential election.

Oregon – Oregon Is the Only State Where Lawmakers Can’t Impeach Statewide Office Holders. Will Voters Change That with Measure 115?

MSN – Aimee Green (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 9/24/2024

Measure 115 on the November ballot would amend the constitution to make Oregon the final state to allow lawmakers to oust statewide officials of some sort. In Oregon’s case, it would be elected officials in five statewide positions: governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and labor commissioner. Currently, the only mechanism the state has for removing elected officials from office is a recall. But the process is long, complicated, and expensive, and critics say relying on recalls to keep in check high-level state officials is not a realistic option.

Pennsylvania – Court Takes ‘Naked Ballots’ Case Over Pennsylvania Mail-in Voting

MSN – Mark Scolforo (Associated Press) | Published: 9/20/2024

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will consider whether counties must accept provisional ballots cast on election day at polling places by voters whose mail-in ballots lacked secrecy envelopes or were rejected for other flaws. It could determine the fate of thousands of votes that could otherwise be canceled in the November 5 election, when Pennsylvania is considered a critical state in the presidential contest.

Rhode Island – RI’s Part-Time Legislators Do Not Go Hungry. Here’s Where They Eat – and Who Pays the Tab

Yahoo News – Katherine Gregg (Providence Journal) | Published: 9/20/2024

Legislative leaders spent $235,739.55 in taxpayer dollars this past session making sure Rhode Island’s part-time lawmakers did not go hungry. Some of the food was provided for legislators and staff on the nights House and Senate leaders anticipated long committee meetings or floor sessions, while some of the really big spending begins when the gavels drop each night.

Tennessee – Tennessee Registry Reports Cothren Attorney to Disciplinary Board

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 9/25/2024

Tennessee’s Registry of Election Finance is reporting the attorney for a former House speaker’s chief of staff to the Board of Professional Responsibility for a potential ethics violation after an encounter between a private investigator and the state’s campaign finance chief. Registry board members voted to notify the board that a private investigator for attorney Cynthia Sherwood went to the home of Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Executive Director Bill Young on and tried to talk to him about a case. It was reported that the private investigator went to several lawmakers’ homes too.

Texas – Jury Clears All but One Defendant in Texas ‘Trump Train’ Trial

MSN – Kate McGee (Texas Tribune) | Published: 9/23/2024

A jury cleared all but one of six Donald Trump supporters who were accused of breaking federal law when they surrounded a Joe Biden campaign bus driving down a Texas highway days before the 2020 election. Jurors said just one of the defendants, Eliazar Cisneros, violated the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 when the so-called Trump Train, a monicker for caravans to show support for the former president, drove up to the bus as it traveled on Interstate 35. The group, which included dozens of vehicles on the highway that day, forced the bus to slow to a crawl.

Wisconsin – Investigation Launched into Wisconsin Mayor Who Removed Ballot Drop Box

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 9/25/2024

A fight over voting rules in Wisconsin sparked a criminal investigation after Wausau Mayor Doug Diny, wearing a hard hat and Department of Public Works jacket, carted off a ballot drop box the city clerk was about to make available to voters. Officials in the battleground are considering with whether to use drop boxes after the state Supreme Court gave them that ability. Officials in Milwaukee, Madison, and other Democratic strongholds have embraced them, while their counterparts in some of Milwaukee’s suburbs and other Republican areas have banned them.

National/Federal

In New York Case, Signs of a Familiar China Playbook

DNyuz – David Pierson (New York Times) | Published: 9/16/2024

Before Linda Sun, a former senior aide in the New York governor’s office, was charged with using her position benefit the Chinese government, suspected cases of Chinese foreign meddling had been on the rise in Western democracies. The intelligence work is focused on influencing political discourse so that it leans more favorably toward China’s positions on contentious issues like the status of Taiwan. China’s attempts to interfere with Western democracies are likely to grow more acute as relations between Beijing and the West fray, said Anne-Marie Brady, a political scientist at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

How Roberts Shaped Trump’s Supreme Court Winning Streak

DNyuz – Jodi Kantor and Adam Liptak (New York Times) | Published: 9/15/2024

In a momentous trio of January 6-related cases last term, the U.S. Supreme Court found itself more entangled in presidential politics than at any time since the 2000 election, even as it was contending with its own controversies related to that day. Chief Justice John Roberts responded by deploying his authority to steer rulings that benefited Donald Trump, according to a New York Times examination that uncovered new information about the court’s decision making.

Violent Threats and Attacks Escalate Tensions in Trump-Harris Race

MSN – Hannah Knowles and Hannah Allam (Washington Post) | Published: 9/17/2024

The 2024 election season has been repeatedly marked by extraordinary acts and threats of violence that have become a more contentious issue in the presidential race, escalating tensions in an already heated political environment and prompting heightened security measures at events with seven weeks of campaigning left to go. While the country’s history includes examples of violence upending campaigning and governance, this year’s race stands out from others in recent memory, experts said, with some long-simmering fears of violent acts breaking into the open.

The Rush to Get Close to Kamala Harris and Her Inner Circle Is On

MSN – Hailey Fuchs (Politico) | Published: 9/19/2024

Lobbyists are scrambling to figure out Kamala Harris. Lobbyists spent decades cultivating ties with President Biden’s inner circle; Harris has spent less than eight years in Washington. During her time as a U.S. senator, Harris’ office was seen as either ambivalent to or dismissive of the requests of corporate interests. During her years as vice president, she was seen as superfluous to the core policymaking process. But K Street is now setting its sights on the new Democratic ticket-leader and rushing to catch up on years of relationship-building.

Abortion Foes Use Government Power to Fight Red-State Ballot Measures

MSN – Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Lori Rozsa, and Annie Gowan (Washington Post) | Published: 9/12/2024

An unprecedented number of abortion initiatives are on state ballots this November, nearly all seeking to protect reproductive rights, but opponents are trying to defeat them even before the start of voting through legal challenges, administrative maneuvers, and critics say, outright intimidation. In part, the intensity reflects what is at stake. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, every ballot measure put before voters has been approved, including in red states like Ohio. Those seeking to restrict abortion access have failed, even in conservative Kansas.

Vance Amplifies False Claims About Haitian Migrants in Ohio

MSN – Sarah Ellison, Mariana Alfaro, and Lisa Rein (Washington Post) | Published: 9/15/2024

Soon after his unsubstantiated comments on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, sparked a national firestorm and spurred violent threats in the town, U.S. Sen. JD Vance doubled down on his baseless claims that Haitians are eating their neighbors’ pets “to draw attention to the Biden-Harris immigration policies.” In a contentious interview on CNN, Vance said if he has to “create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

How This Lawsuit Against the IRS Aims to Allow Churches a Greater Role in Politics

MSN – Angele Latham (Nashville Tennessean) | Published: 9/16/2024

A federal rule bans tax-exempt organizations organized under 501(c)(3) of the tax code from “directly or indirectly” participating in politics, specifically in endorsing or opposing candidates. A lawsuit filed by Chistian groups challenges the rule by alleging their speech has been “wrongfully silenced.” Although the IRS often sets churches to 501(c)(3) status by default, the churches in the complaint would likely receive the political benefits they are seeking if they switched registration to 501(c)(4) but the move would mean losing their tax benefits, said Jennifer Safstrom, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Affordable Housing Advocate Penalized for Not Registering as a Lobbyist with City of Hamilton

CBC – Samantha Beattie | Published: 9/18/2024

One of Hamilton’s most vocal affordable housing advocates is being penalized for not registering as a lobbyist with the city before contacting officials on dozens of occasions and in some instances requesting land or money for projects. Graham Cubitt is not allowed to lobby with any city staff or elected officials for 30 days, said lobbyist registrar David Boghosian, who is also the city’s integrity commissioner.

Arizona – Chandler Council Member, Accused of Corruption, Seeks Millions … from Chandler

Bears Wire – Sam Kmack (Arizona Republic) | Published: 9/14/2024

A sitting Chandler City Council member is suing the city she represents, seeking millions of dollars for slander because the city falsely divulged the FBI was investigating her for political corruption. Jane Poston claims former police Chief Sean Duggan and current Assistant Chief Dave Ramer defamed her, caused her emotional distress, and harmed her private public relations company.

Arizona – Court May Decide If Arizonans with Missing Citizenship Records Can Vote in State Races

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 9/17/2024

A key election official in Arizona’s Maricopa County asked the state’s highest court to prohibit nearly 100,000 longtime residents from voting in state and local races this fall after discovering the state has no record of asking them for documents proving their U.S. citizenship. Like other states, Arizona requires voters to swear they are citizens when they register to vote. But for 20 years, Arizona law has gone further and required residents to show birth certificates, naturalization papers, or other documents proving citizenship to vote in state and local elections.

California – Oakland Ethics Commission Declines Proposed Settlement with Libby Schaaf

MSN – Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) | Published: 9/17/2024

The Oakland Public Ethics Commission rejected the advice of its staff by refusing to settle a sprawling set of campaign finance cases involving violations by former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. Several commissioners said they feel the proposed settlement negotiated by commission staff and Schaaf’s attorney does not transparently show how much Schaaf and others will be fined for breaking multiple election rules. The commission met to consider five cases that involved Schaaf and others ranging from the Oakland Chamber of Commerce’s PAC, the Oakland police union, contractors, campaign consultants, and political groups.

California – California Legislature’s Unwritten Rule: Negotiate in secret with lobbyists, not in public

MSN – Ryan Sabalow (CalMatters) | Published: 9/18/2024

An analysis of every vote cast in the past five years shows Democrats who control the California Legislature vote “no” on average less than one percent of the time, suggesting the fates of most bills are decided before votes are cast. The original language in almost all bills that navigate the legislative process is usually changed through amendments added in committees. That can be a high-stakes discussion done in secret between legislators and staff and lobbyists. When there are political consequences or money is involved, the governor’s office or legislative leaders can also shape bills behind the scenes.

California – California Passes Package of Laws to Combat Election Deepfakes

MSN – Felix Ng (Cointelegraph) | Published: 9/17/2024

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law bills to crack down on politically themed Artificial Intelligence (AI) deepfakes during elections. It comes only weeks after Elon Musk re-posted a parody of a Kamala Harris campaign ad on X that garnered millions of views and used AI-powered voice manipulation to make it seem Harris called herself an incompetent presidential candidate.

California – San Jose Councilmembers Team Up to Lobby City

San Jose Spotlight – Brandon Pho | Published: 9/16/2024

San Jose City Councilperson Sergio Jimenez is jumping into the elected official to lobbyist pipeline. He has formed a new consulting firm before terming out of his council seat at the end of this year. Joining him is former Councilperson Raul Peralez, a San Jose police officer who started his own consulting business after leaving office. It is the latest instance of the city’s “revolving door” through which government officials become paid lobbyists, which has prompted concern over the years about unfair deal making advantages.

California – Silicon Valley Political Groups Fail to Meet Transparency Requirements

San Jose Spotlight – Brandon Pho | Published: 9/14/2024

Nearly 40 campaign committees in Santa Clara County failed to file transparency reports by legal deadlines since 2018, in many cases even after receiving two written warnings. Nearly 30 of those committees have been flagged to county prosecutors and state watchdogs for investigation. For candidates who are new to politics, missed deadlines are an inevitable learning curve. But experts argue more experienced elected officials and candidates who should be well acquainted with the rules are likely ignoring them.

Colorado – Utilities Have to Itemize Some Political Spending in Other States. They Want Regulators to Keep It Secret in Colorado

Colorado Public Radio – Ishan Thakore | Published: 9/17/2024

Colorado lawmakers passed the Utility Regulation Act following a spike in energy bills. The law prevents investor-owned utilities from charging customers for a broad set of political activities, including meetings with lawmakers to influence legislation, some types of advertising, and membership dues to lobbying groups. The law requires utilities to submit an annual report about their spending. But lawmakers left it to regulators to determine much of the law’s fine print, including how much detail utilities must include in the report. Consumer advocates and utilities are now fighting over the scope of the law.

Florida – Ethics Commission: Lobbyist never cashed Baxter’s reimbursement checks for trip, VIP dinner

Austin American-Statesman – Mike Diamond (Palm Beach Post) | Published: 9/18/2024

The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics cited lobbyist Ron Book for failing to cash checks totaling $600 from county Commissioner Sara Baxter for a ride on his private jet to Tallahassee to attend the inauguration of Gov. Ron DeSantis in January 2023. Sitting on the checks after 90 days of receiving them turned the trip and the dinner into gifts, which means Baxter had to report them as such, and she did not. The commission has not charged Baxter with any wrongdoing but the ethics agency is investigating her, too.

Florida – Trial Begins in Alleged Florida Election Conspiracy That Tilted a Miami Senate Race

MSN – Charles Rabin (Miami Herald) | Published: 9/15/2024

A criminal case that opened a window to a plot to help Republicans win important 2020 Florida Senate races by propping up fake progressive candidates with shadowy money is finally headed to trial, with a political operative fighting the charges. State prosecutors are expected to claim in court that former state Sen. Frank Artiles, a Republican, masterminded a scheme to tilt the results of a tight race in Miami by recruiting and paying a straw candidate to siphon votes away from the Democratic incumbent.

Georgia – Georgia Lieutenant Governor Won’t Face Charges Connected to 2020 Election

MSN – Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 9/13/2024

A special prosecutor concluded criminal charges should not be brought against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for his role in helping Donald Trump overturn his election loss in Georgia. Jones faced scrutiny because he was one of 16 state Republicans who signed a certificate falsely claiming Trump won Georgia in 2020 and declaring themselves to be the “duly elected and qualified electors from Georgia.” As a state senator, Jones also sought to convene a special session of the Legislature aimed at reversing Joe Biden’s narrow victory in the state.

Georgia – Judge in Georgia Election Case Knocks Out 2 Charges Against Trump

MSN – Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 9/12/2024

A judge overseeing the Georgia case charging Donald Trump with conspiring to interfere in the 2020 election tossed out three more of the prosecution’s charges, two of which involve the former president. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said the three counts were legally flawed because they involved claims that Trump or his allies violated state law by submitting fraudulent documents to a federal court in Atlanta.

Illinois – City Council Cracks Down on Lobbyist Campaign Donations to Mayor after Johnson Took Contributions

WBEZ – Tessa Weinberg | Published: 9/18/2024

The Chicago City Council passed an ethics ordinance aimed at sanctioning lobbyists for contributions to mayoral candidates after Mayor Brandon Johnson dropped his opposition to the plan. The penalties close an enforcement gap in a 13-year-old ethics rule put in place by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel that prohibits lobbyists from donating to a mayor’s political fund. The reform broadens the original ban by expanding the restrictions to contributions made to mayoral candidates’ political committees, not just the incumbent mayor’s.

Kentucky – Complaint Filed Against a Top Kentucky Democrat for Condo Purchase. She Says It’s Ethical.

Yahoo News – Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 9/16/2024

An ethics complaint was filed against House Minority Caucus Chairperson Cherlynn Stevenson for jointly purchasing a Frankfort condominium with a lobbyist. But Stevenson has copies of correspondence with the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission, the body that handles such complaints, clearing her to purchase the condo with Sarah Bowling earlier this year.

Nebraska – Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission Seeks New Director as Hunter Steps Back

Nebraska Examiner – Aaron Sanderford | Published: 9/16/2024

The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission needs a new executive director about a year after promoting a leader from within. David Hunter asked to return to his previous job as deputy director for personal reasons, officials said. Hunter succeeded Frank Daley, who retired after a quarter century as executive director.

New Jersey – Atlantic City Mayor and Wife Indicted for Alleged Child Abuse

MSN – Daniel Han (Politico) | Published: 9/18/2024

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, who is the city’s superintendent of schools, face criminal charges for allegedly abusing their teenage daughter. According to prosecutors, Small Sr. and La’Quetta Small physically assaulted their daughter, who was 15 to 16 years old during the time of the alleged abuse. Small Sr. is the latest Atlantic City elected official to face criminal charges.

New Mexico – Judge Orders ‘Dark Money’ Group Back to Court for Failure to Register, Disclose Donors

Yahoo News – Daniel Chacón (Santa Fe New Mexican) | Published: 9/16/2024

A judge is considering holding a “dark money” group in contempt for failing to comply with an order to register as a political committee and disclose its donors. The New Mexico Project aims to “empower the moderate Latino electorate,” according to its website, and supported a slate of legislative candidates in the Democratic primary. Judge Joshua Allison issued a preliminary injunction requiring the group to register no later than September 4 and report its expenditures and contributions no later than September 9. The group has done neither.

New York – Ex-FDNY Chiefs Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges in ‘Pay-to-Play Corruption’ Scheme

Gothamist – Matt Katz and Elizabeth Kim | Published: 9/16/2024

Two former New York Fire Department chiefs accepted at least $190,000 in bribes in exchange for fast-tracking approvals of buildings’ fire alarm systems, according to an indictment. Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco were the top two chiefs at the department’s bureau of fire prevention, which issues approvals for alarm and suppression systems in businesses and buildings. According to the indictment, from 2021 to 2023 they worked through a retired firefighter who, acting as a middleman, promised to expedite reviews and inspections in exchange for cash.

New York – Mayor Adams’ Team Asked Campaign Watchdog for More Time – Citing Federal Investigation

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 9/12/2024

Mayor Eric Adams’ team wrote in a letter to New York City’s campaign finance watchdog that the campaign needed more time to respond to questions about apparent sloppy recordkeeping because its lawyer was too busy dealing with a federal inquiry. The Campaign Finance Board granted multiple deadline extensions to respond to an audit of Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign. The audit sought additional documentation for $2.3 million in expenses.

New York – Mayor Adams’ Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg Resigned Over Rebuffed Advice to Fire Officials Amid Probe

MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) | Published: 9/16/2024

Lisa Zornberg, New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ former chief counsel, resigned after the mayor rejected her advice to fire several top administration officials ensnared in federal corruption investigations, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Zornberg presented Adams with the recommendation for firings after concluding an internal review of Ray Martin, a lower-level aide in the mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, the sources said.

New York – New York City Police Commissioner Resigns After His Phone Was Seized in Federal Investigation

Yahoo News – Jake Offenhartz and Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 9/12/2024

New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned, one week after it emerged his phone was seized as part of federal investigation that touched several members of Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle. Federal authorities are also investigating Caban’s twin brother, James Caban, a former police sergeant who runs a nightclub security business, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Ohio – SEC Sues Ex-FirstEnergy CEO Jones; Conspiracy Charge Brought Against Him, Ex-Exec Dowling

MSN – Patrick Williams (Akron Beacon Journal) | Published: 9/13/2024

Two former FirstEnergy executives were indicted \on an additional conspiracy charge for their alleged roles in a “pay-to-play” scheme. The indictment also included amended charges against former Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and former Senior Vice President of External Affairs Michael Dowling. As part of a separate lawsuit, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint against Jones, alleging he misled investors about the utility’s payments to former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder in a “pay-to-play” scheme.

Ohio – Ohio Sheriff Says to ‘Write Down’ Addresses of Homes with Harris Signs

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 9/16/2024

A sheriff in Ohio who made disparaging remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris and immigrants on social media is suggesting local residents compile a list of addresses where they see yard signs in support of the Democratic presidential nominee. Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski’s Facebook posts sparked tension across Portage County, which Donald Trump carried by 12 points in the 2020 election. Some residents accused Zuchowski of voter intimidation ahead of November’s election.

Ohio – Ohio Supreme Court Clears Ballot Language Saying Anti-Gerrymandering Measure Calls for the Opposite

MSN – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 9/16/2024

The Ohio Supreme Court let stand ballot language that will describe this fall’s Issue 1 as requiring gerrymandering, when the proposal is intended to do the opposite. The bipartisan proposal calls for replacing Ohio’s troubled political map-making system with a citizen-led commission of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. The proposal emerged after seven different versions of congressional and legislative maps created after the 2020 Census were declared unconstitutionally gerrymandered to favor Republicans.

Oklahoma – Ethics Questions Swirl as Oklahoma Lawmaker Stands to Profit from Potential Solar Farm in His District

KOSU – Lionel Ramos | Published: 9/17/2024

Oklahoma Rep. Justin Humphrey met with about a dozen landowners in his district to discuss a deal. He said a company was looking to buy 5,000 of land to build a solar farm.  Humphry also acknowledged he and his brothers were selling land they owned in the proposed deal. State ethics rules say lawmakers cannot negotiate business deals in their district that they or their family would benefit from, especially if there is legislation involved. The same state rules prohibiting Humphrey’s behavior also protect officeholders from formal complaints during an election season.

Oklahoma – Campaign Funds Can Now Be Used by Oklahoma Candidates to Pay for Caregiving Expenses

Oklahoma Voice – Emma Murphy | Published: 9/16/2024

Oklahoma joined 33 other states in allowing candidates running for office to use campaign funds for dependent care, effective immediately. The Oklahoma Ethics Commission issued an advisory opinion permitting candidates who are primary caregivers to use campaign funds to pay for care of dependents such as children, people with disabilities, or elderly relatives.

Oregon – ‘Exceedingly Close Call’ of Illegality in Gonzalez’s Wikipedia Edits, Portland Auditor Says; Calls for State Investigation

MSN – Zane Sparling (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 9/16/2024

A sitting Portland commissioner who tapped public funds to clean up his Wikipedia page walked the razor’s edge of breaking city campaign finance laws, but the evidence is insufficient to prove a violation, the city auditor’s office ruled. Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, a top candidate in the mayoral race, spent $6,400 earlier this year while seeking to remove an errant reference to an apparent Patriot Prayer member he interacted with on social media and highlight his status as a Democrat.

Oregon – Oregon Secretary of State Opens Investigation into Portland City Council Candidates Who Traded Contributions

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 9/11/2024

Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade will investigate Portland City Council and mayoral candidates who agreed to reciprocate campaign contributions to obtain matching funds from the city. At least 13 Portland candidates explicitly agreed to give money to other candidates this summer in exchange for incoming contributions, according to emails and texts. Candidates for city council were trying to gather donations from at least 250 Portland residents to qualify for up to $40,000 in matching taxpayer funds before the August 27 deadline.

Pennsylvania – Protesters Rally Against Dark Money after 35-Mile March from Lancaster to Harrisburg

Lancaster Online – Sarah Nicell | Published: 9/12/2024

After a three-day, 35-mile walk from Lancaster to Harrisburg, protesters demanding changes to Pennsylvania’s campaign finance laws held a rally at the state Capitol against dark money. Several members of the group attended a meeting with representatives for Senate President Kim Ward to discuss their current priority: an anti-dark money bill authored by Free Speech for People that has yet to move in the Republican-majority state Senate.

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Supreme Court Tosses Lower Court’s Decision on Mail-In Ballot Dating Requirement

Yahoo News – Peter Hall (Pennsylvania Capital-Star) | Published: 9/13/2024

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out a lower court’s decision finding the requirement for voters to write the date on mail-in ballots to have them counted unconstitutional. The state’s highest court said the Commonwealth Court lacked jurisdiction to hear a challenge of the dating provision by voters’ rights groups. The lower court concluded the dating requirement violates the fair and equal elections clause of the state constitution because it restricts the right to vote but does not serve a compelling governmental purpose.

Tennessee – Lee Seeks Ethics Panel Advice on Travel Payments, Will Repay Expense If Found Inappropriate

MSN – Vivian Jones (Nashville Tennessean) | Published: 9/13/2024

Following threats of an ethics complaint over his travel to Florida paid by an outside group, Gov. Bill Lee is asking the Tennessee Ethics Commission to clarify whether accepting such payments is allowed under state law. If the panel finds Lee’s travel payments were illegal or unethical, he is pledging to repay the funds. Lee traveled to Marco Island, Florida, to be a keynote speaker of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a group behind a handful of controversial new state laws. ADF, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and its partner 501(c)4 organization both employ Matthew Lorimer, a registered lobbyist in Tennessee.

Washington – Let’s Go Washington Accused of Violating Campaign Finance Law

Yahoo News – Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) | Published: 9/18/2024

A 14-month investigation has led to charges against the political committee founded by businessperson Brian Heywood for allegedly violating campaign finance laws in the course of gathering signatures for six initiatives last year. Staff of the state Public Disclosure Commission filed administrative charges alleging Let’s Go Washington did not “accurately and timely” report its spending on signature-gathering for each of the measures. Staff also assert the committee failed to obtain and disclose information from vendors on their spending on subcontractors for signature-gathering.

National/Federal

Candidates Can Use Campaign Funds for Childcare in Most States, but Few Do

Associated Press News – Isabella Volmert | Published: 9/12/2024

Two thirds of states now allow candidates of any gender running for public office to use campaign funds to pay for childcare expenses after the FEC approved the practice for federal candidates in 2018. While women with young children say its monumental to their campaigns and usage is growing, the number of candidates taking advantage of the policies remains relatively low and numerous complex barriers keeping mothers from running for office persist.

How Taylor Swift Surprised Harris, and Entered a New Political Era

DNyuz – Katie Rogers, Matt Stevens, and Emily Cochrane (New York Times) | Published: 9/11/2024

Taylor Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris after Harris’s debate against Donald Trump. In a political landscape with countless celebrity endorsements that do little to prompt would-be voters into action, Swift’s support stands out as among the most meaningful. The vice president’s advisers said they believed the contest would come down to disengaged Americans who might not know which way they will vote, or if they will vote at all. That is where someone like Swift could make a difference.

Feds Increase Security for Jan. 6 in Effort to Prevent Capitol Attack Repeat

MSN – Peter Hermann and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 9/11/2024

The federal government will dramatically increase security protections for the joint session of Congress where lawmakers count states’ electoral votes, an escalation of government-wide efforts to prevent a repeat of the attack on the Capitol. The Department of Homeland Security has designated the next electoral count, scheduled for  January 6, 2025, a National Special Security Event, giving the once-routine gathering the same level of security accorded to presidential inaugurations and political conventions.

Justice Dept. Charges Two Russian Media Operatives in Alleged Scheme

MSN – David Nakamura, Catherine Belton, and Will Sommer (Washington Post) | Published: 9/4/2024

The Justice Department charged two Russian media executives in an alleged scheme that authorities say illegally funneled millions of dollars to a Tennessee-based company to create and publish propaganda videos that racked up millions of views on U.S. social media. Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, Russian citizens who remain at large, were charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Justice Alito Reports Concert Tickets, Stocks in 2023 Financial Report

MSN – Tobi Raji (Washington Post) | Published: 9/6/2024

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito received concert tickets valued at $900 last year from a German princess known for her conservative Catholic views and sold stock in a beer company targeted by anti-LGBTQ+ activists, according to his financial disclosure form. Alito continues to own individual stock in more than two dozen companies, a practice that is permitted but that transparency advocates caution can lead to conflicts-of-interest that require recusal from key cases. Chief Justice John Roberts is the only other member of the court who owns individual stocks; most other justices invest in mutual funds.

Federal Appeals Court Rules Against U.S. Sen. JD Vance, Other Republicans Trying to Erase Federal Limits on Coordinated Political Spending

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/9/2024

A federal appeals court ruled against U.S. Sen. JD Vance and other Republicans in their attempt to overturn federal limits on political parties’ ability to coordinate spending with candidates. But a majority of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals expressed empathy with the Republican plaintiffs and only sided against them out of a belief it should be up to the U.S. Supreme Court, not them, to overturn a 2001 Supreme Court ruling upholding the limits.

Elon Musk’s Misleading Election Claims Reach Millions and Alarm Election Officials

MSN – Sarah Ellison, Amy Gardner, and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 9/10/2024

In the two years since he bought Twitter, now X, Elon Musk has transformed it into a primary source of false election rumors, both by spreading them on his own account, which has 197 million followers, and lowering some of the site’s guardrails around misinformation. Experts say Musk is uniquely dangerous as a purveyor of misinformation because his digital following stretches well beyond the political realm and into the technology and investment sectors. Musk’s 52 posts or reposts about noncitizen voting drew almost 700 million views.

Harris Crisply Attacks Trump in Debate; He Retorts with Fiery Rhetoric

MSN – Toluse Olorunnipa and Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 9/10/2024

Vice President Kamala Harris made a sharp, fiery case against Donald Trump during a freewheeling debate, blasting the former president’s character and preoccupation with himself while pressing him to task on issues including abortion, democracy, and foreign policy. Trump attacked Harris as a “Marxist” masquerading as a moderate and repeatedly turned the subject back to the U.S. southern border, often straying from the facts to embrace debunked conspiracy theories about immigration and the 2020 election.

Trump, Republicans Push Swing-State Courts to Reject Mail-in Ballots

MSN – Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) | Published: 9/10/2024

Republicans have waged a nationwide legal campaign since 2020 to reject mail-in ballots. They say the litigation is aimed at the enforcement of election law to the letter. But critics see a strategy that has nothing to do with election integrity and everything to do with disqualifying voters who cast ballots by mail, an overwhelming majority of whom support Democrats.

Super PAC Funded by Ted Cruz’s Podcast Deal Gave $1 Million to Back His Campaign

San Antonio Current – Sanford Nowlin | Published: 9/6/2024

Despite U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s prior statements that he has no direct involvement with a super PAC funded by a distribution deal for his podcast, federal records show that same PAC is bankrolling his campaign’s field operations. Truth and Courage PAC, an entity partially funded by a deal the sentor struck with iHeartMedia to carry his podcast, shelled out $1 million in the second quarter to pay for door knocking and phone banking by Cruz’s reelection campaign.

The AI Industry Uses a Light Lobbying Touch to Educate Congress from a Corporate Perspective

Yahoo News – Dan Merica (Associated Press) | Published: 9/8/2024

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry has gone on a lobbying binge in the past few years, deploying scores of hired influencers to help shape potential government action. The technology is being adopted by powerful sectors of the economy, all with the hopes of having a say on possible regulations. As AI evolves at such a rapid clip, lawmakers are leaning on the lobbyists’ expertise because think tanks, nonprofit groups, and academia are struggling to keep up with the changes. Relying on PowerPoint slides and briefing papers, industry lobbyists are getting lots of face time with lawmakers and staff, advising them on the fine points of the technology.

Campaign Money? Bribes? Lobbying? Your Utility Rates May Include Some, Advocates Say

Yahoo News – Medora Lee (USA Today) | Published: 9/8/2024

Millions of Americans receive their monthly utility bill and just assume it is high because of extreme weather. That is only part of the story. Customers are paying for everything from the utility company’s trade association fees, lobbying efforts to increase rates, and even country club memberships, consumer advocates say. Utilities have also funneled money to 501(c)(4) non-profits that can accept unlimited corporate and personal donations and are often used to engage in lobbying activity, issue advocacy, or political activity.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Ex-Oakland Mayor Schaaf Agrees to Pay $21,000 Fine for Breaking Campaign Rules

MSN – Sarah Ravani (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 9/6/2024

Former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf agreed to pay $21,000 in penalties to settle claims she violated election rules by failing to disclose her involvement in campaigns to pass a city ballot measure and defeat two incumbent city council candidates. The Public Ethics Commission’s enforcement unit also recommended fining the Oakland Chamber of Commerce nearly $50,000 for failing to report “intermediary contributions” it made on behalf of individuals, and it advised separate fines of about $20,000 each against Doug Linney, a director at East Bay Municipal Utility District who also works as a campaign consultant, and the Oakland police union.

California – L.A. Real Estate Developer Accused of 444 Violations of Campaign Fundraising Laws

MSN – Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 9/7/2024

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission accused real estate developer Samuel Leung of committing 444 violations of the city’s campaign finance laws, including those that prohibit the laundering of campaign money. The commission said it determined “probable cause exists” to believe that between 2009 and 2015, Leung reimbursed campaign donors in violation of city law and exceeded the limits for political contributions.

California – Reform Bills Inspired by LAist Investigation Are Before Newsom for Final Approval

MSN – Yusra Farzan (LAist) | Published: 9/11/2024

Three reform bills, inspired by LAist’s investigation into millions of taxpayer dollars in Orange County that are unaccounted for, passed unanimously in the state Legislature and are now awaiting California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision on whether to sign them into law. Two of the bills would require more public transparency about elected officials’ family ties to certain types of contractors, and in some cases ban them from participating in awarding the money.

California – Irvine Tightens Lobbying Rules

Voice of OC – Angela Hicks | Published: 9/11/2024

Irvine gave initial approval to strengthening the city’s lobbying rules. City council members approved the changes unanimously, which will require more people to register as lobbyists more often and publicly disclose their activities to the city. The lobbying ordinance will require a second reading and vote before it can go into effect. The council meets again on September 24.

Delaware – Transgender Lawmaker Wins Democratic Primary for Delaware’s Only House Seat

DNyuz – Amy Harmon (New York Times) | Published: 9/10/2024

State Sen. Sarah McBride won the Democratic primary for Delaware’s only U.S. House seat, making her the heavy favorite to win in November in the deep-blue state. If elected, she would become the first openly transgender member of Congress.

Delaware – Meyer Defeats Scandal-Plagued Hall-Long and O’Mara in Delaware’s Democratic Primary for Governor

WHYY – Chris Barrash | Published: 9/10/2024

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer capitalized on Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s yearlong campaign finance scandal and former state environmental protection chief Collin O’Mara’s late entry into the race and rolled to a convincing victory in the three-way gubernatorial primary. Meyer will be the prohibitive favorite to win the governorship over House Minority Leader Mike Ramone in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two-to-one and since 2018 have held all nine statewide elective offices.

Florida – Florida Supreme Court Justices Raise Prospect of Tossing Fair Districts Amendment

Florida Politics – Jacob Ogles | Published: 9/12/2024

Florida Supreme Court Justices are questioning whether the Fair Districts Amendment to the state constitution impossibly handcuffs redistricting efforts. Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz raised the prospect of tossing the amendment, passed by Florida voters in 2010, as the court heard arguments that Florida’s congressional map violated measures prohibiting the diminishment of Black communities voting power.

Florida – DeSantis Election Police Question People Who Signed Abortion Ballot Petition

MSN – Lori Rozsa (Washington Post) | Published: 9/9/2024

Florida voters who signed a petition to place a pro-choice abortion referendum on the ballot this November say they have been visited by police who are investigating claims of fraud at the behest of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s administration. The investigation comes as Democrats and election experts express concern that DeSantis is using the powers of the state to derail the referendum, which would nullify a six-week abortion ban the governor signed into law last year. The state’s health-care agency recently launched a website that claims the amendment “threatens women’s safety.”

Florida – Mayor’s Office: No conflict for chief of staff Darnell Smith to also do Florida Blue work

Yahoo News – David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 9/5/2024

Florida Blue insurance executive Darnell Smith, who has been Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s chief of staff since January, will split his time over the next few weeks between working on his city duties and handling ongoing negotiations for Florida Blue in its contentious insurance contract talks with Baptist Health. Smith does not receive a city salary. He works as an “executive on loan” from Florida Blue, which has continued to pay his salary and benefits. The arrangement is set to last through the end of December.

Illinois – Bribery Trial of Former AT&T Boss to Offer Sneak Preview of Madigan Case

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 9/9/2024

Former AT&T Illinois boss Paul La Schiazza’s bribery trial began at Chicago’s federal courthouse where he stands accused of a scheme to funnel $22,500 in payments to a former House Speaker Michael Madigan associate in exchange for the speaker’s help passing legislation important to the company. La Schiazza’s case is expected to offer a sneak preview of a key part of Madigan’s own trial, which starts on October 8.

Indiana – McCormick Releases Ethics Plan with Focus on Lobbying Reform

Yahoo News – Whitney Downard (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 9/5/2024

Indiana gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick released an ethics plan with a focus on increasing transparency and accountability for elected officials at the state and local level, regulating lobbying. Aspects of the plan include removing lobbyists from politically appointed committee positions as well as standardizing campaign finance reporting and annually filed statements of economic interest. Paid lobbyists would face increased regulation that prohibits them from gifting “anything” of value to state lawmakers.

Kansas – Inside the Kansas Court Case That Could Cripple a Sweeping Campaign Finance Investigation

Yahoo News – Jonathan Shorman (Kansas City Star) | Published: 9/6/2024

Does a Kansas law that prohibits campaign contributions given “in the name of another person” also make it illegal for political groups to shift funds among themselves until the dollars arrive at a desired destination? Over two years, $54,000 in contributions moved through a series of political committees before ending up in the accounts of the Kansas Republican Party. Why those transfers happened in 2020 and 2021 is the subject of a lengthy, ongoing investigation.

Kentucky – Federal Court Halts, for Now, Kentucky Election Finance Opinion on School Choice Measure

The Center Square – Steve Bittenbender | Published: 9/5/2024

A federal appeals court temporarily stopped the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance (KREF) from taking action against three Republican county committees that want to use party funds to support a school choice initiative scheduled to appear on the November ballot. KREF General Counsel Leslie Saunders has said state law requires party funds to be spent on promoting its candidates.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Declines to Waive Jeff Landry’s $100 Late Fine

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 9/6/2024

The Louisiana Board of Ethics has declined Gov. Jeff Landry’s request to waive a $100 fine for filing his 2023 annual campaign finance report one day late. The board’s decision comes just a few months before Landry, who has been at odds with the board for years, will gain more power over its makeup.

Michigan – Judge Finds Probable Cause to Believe Ex-Chatfield Staffers Embezzled Political Cash

Detroit News – Craig Mauger | Published: 9/12/2024

Anne and Robert Minard, two top staffers of former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, are poised to face criminal trials after a judge determined there was probable cause to believe allegations that they stole more than $600,000 from political fundraising accounts. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has accused the Minards of using fraudulent reimbursements, double-billings, misrepresented expenses, and falsified records to embezzle money from nonprofit groups and PACs.

Michigan – In Michigan, an ‘Unhinged Werewolf’ Will Make It Clear Who Voted

Seattle Times – Callie Holtermann (New York Times) | Published: 9/5/2024

One entry in a statewide contest to design Michigan’s next “I Voted” sticker depicted a werewolf clawing its shirt to tatters and howling at an unseen moon. A smattering of stars and stripes poke out from behind its torso. “I Voted,” reads a string of red, white, and blue block letters floating above the creature’s open jaws. The illustration by 12-year-old Jane Hynous is one of nine winning designs the Michigan Department of State will offer local clerks to distribute to voters in the November election.

Missouri – Missouri High Court Allows Abortion Measure to Stay on Fall Ballot

MSN – Molly Hennessey-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 9/10/2024

Hours before ballots were to be finalized, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that a measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution is specific enough to present to voters in November. Only days earlier, a lower-court judge ruled the ballot measure invalid because it does not identify which laws it would repeal. The outcome means Missouri will remain among more than half a dozen states with measures to protect abortion rights on their ballots this fall, including in presidential battleground states such as Arizona and Florida.

New Hampshire – Ethics Committee Won’t Make a Ruling on Tara Reardon Conflict of Interest Until After Election

Concord Monitor – Catherine McLaughlin | Published: 9/4/2024

New Hampshire’s Legislative Ethics Committee will determine whether Tara Reardon, if elected to the state Senate, would have to recuse herself on legislation her spouse’s firm lobbies on, but not until after the Democratic primary, which Reardon won. That means voters casting their ballots did not have a clear answer about Reardon’s ability to participate in the legislative process due to a new law that takes effect in January.

New York – Cuomo Legal Bills Have Cost N.Y. Taxpayers $25.4 Million and Counting

DNyuz – Benjamin Oreskes (New York Times) | Published: 9/12/2024

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has employed aggressive legal tactics as he seeks to defend himself against sexual harassment lawsuits and protect his political image as he contemplates a comeback. The state has spent about $25.4 million representing the legal interests of Cuomo and several of his top aides as they fend off civil complaints, criminal investigations, and inquiries from the Legislature. Because Cuomo’s alleged actions took place while he was governor, state law requires taxpayers to foot legal bills related to the accusations.

New York – After a Year of Legal Peril, Trump Seeks Election as a Felon, but Free

Seattle Times – Ben Protess, Kate Christobek, and William Rashbaum (New York Times) | Published: 9/8/2024

At Donald Trump’s request, and without objection from prosecutors, the judge who presided over his criminal trial in Manhattan postponed his sentencing until after the November election. Trump, who faces up to four years in prison for falsifying records to conceal a sex scandal, had sought the delay to buy time to challenge his conviction. The former president also argued it would be unfair to face sentencing so close to Election Day, even though that timing was the result of his own stalling tactics.

New York – Feds Raid Homes of Top Eric Adams Deputies, Seize Police Commissioner’s Phones

The City – Greg Smith, Katie Honan, Gwynne Hogan, and Samantha Maldonado | Published: 9/5/2024

Federal authorities raided the homes of some of the highest-ranking members of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, including two deputy mayors and the schools chancellor, and seized the electronic devices of the police commissioner. This extraordinary effort in the last two days to obtain evidence follows other federal raids and seizures that have swept up the mayor and other top aides in what appears to be a broadening investigation of City Hall.

North Carolina – Few Students Are Playing but Lawmakers Keep Paying for Video Game from NC Company

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 9/10/2024

Since 2020, state lawmakers have spent millions of dollars to put Plasma Games’ science-based video game in North Carolina public schools even though few students are playing, and schools could not show the game is improving learning. Plasma Games is another example of the Republican-led Legislature inserting provisions into omnibus spending bills to that benefit specific private businesses and nonprofits with political ties, a practice that in one case has drawn the attention of a federal grand jury.

North Carolina – NC Supreme Court Orders RFK Jr’s Name to Be Taken Off Ballots, Mail-in Voting Delayed by Weeks

MSN – Will Doran (WRAL) | Published: 9/9/2024

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name will not be on ballots in North Carolina this year as the state Supreme Court ruled officials must reprint the millions of ballots it finished printing in August. The ruling means North Carolina is now expected to blow past the legal deadline to start sending out ballots by at least two weeks, at the cost of potentially $1 million to state taxpayers, arguments that state officials made against reprinting the ballots, but which the Supreme Court said were worth it to ensure no voter confusion caused by having Kennedy’s name on the ballots even though he dropped out of the race.

Ohio – Ohio Appeals Court Tosses Lawsuit Challenging Speaker Jason Stephens’ Control of House GOP Campaign Arm

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/6/2024

A state appeals court panel threw out a legal challenge to Speaker Jason Stephens’ control over the Ohio House Republicans’ campaign fund, as well as an injunction preventing him from spending money from the account. Some House Republicans have sought to undermine the Stephens’ power since Democrats helped elect him speaker last year despite receiving votes from just a third of his GOP colleagues.

Ohio – An Ohio City Reshaped by Haitian Immigrants Lands in an Unwelcome Spotlight

MSN – Patrick Aftoora Orsagos, Julie Carr Smyth, and Elliot Spagat (Associated Press) | Published: 9/11/2024

Many cities have been reshaped by immigrants in the last few years without attracting much notice. Not Springfield, Ohio. Its story of economic renewal and related growing pains has been thrust into the national conversation in a presidential election year and maliciously distorted by false rumors that Haitian immigrants are eating their neighbors’ pets. Donald Trump amplified those lies during the nationally televised debate, exacerbating some residents’ fears about growing divisiveness in the predominantly white, blue-collar city of about 60,000.

Oregon – Most Candidates for Portland Mayor and City Council Sent Reciprocated Contributions to Other Candidates, Raising Legal Questions

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 9/10/2024

Dozens of Portland City Council and mayoral candidates agreed to reciprocate political contributions as they sought to qualify for matching campaign funds from the city. Candidates benefit when a fellow Portland resident gives them a contribution because notching enough local donations triggers the matching funds. Yet state law prohibits candidates for political office from soliciting donations from anyone by promising to give the person a financial payback.

Tennessee – Ethics Questions Plaguing Tennessee Governor’s Administration

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 9/11/2024

Shortly after taking office in 2019, Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order prohibiting executive branch employees from accepting lodging and transportation from groups trying to do business with the state but says his recent trip to Florida paid for by a group that lobbies state lawmakers is “customary and allowable.” That trip and a complaint filed against the state education commissioner is bringing greater scrutiny to Tennessee’s ethics rules and relationships that officials have with lobbying groups.

Texas – Mayoral Candidate Doug Greco Sues City to Overturn Campaign Finance Rule

Austin Monitor – Jo Clifton | Published: 9/11/2024

Mayoral candidate Doug Greco filed suit in federal court, challenging the provision of the City Charter that prevents city council candidates from accepting more than $47,000 in contributions from people who live outside the Austin city limits. The plaintiffs also want the judge to grant a permanent injunction against enforcement of the law. Greco has complained that his relatives in other states are unable to contribute because of the limitation.

National/Federal

Courtroom Clash in Trump’s Election Interference Case as the Judge Ponders the Path Ahead

Associated Press News – Eric Tucker, Alanna Durkin Richer, and Michael Kunzelman | Published: 9/5/2024

In the first court hearing in nearly a year, a lawyer for Donald Trump clashed with the judge in the federal election interference prosecution of the former president after suggesting the government was rushing forward with an “illegitimate” indictment at the height of the White House campaign. Prosecutors and defense lawyers are bitterly at odds over the next steps in the case after the Supreme Court narrowed the scope of the prosecution by ruling former presidents are entitled to broad immunity from criminal charges.

Iran Emerges as a Top Disinformation Threat in U.S. Presidential Race

DNyuz – Steven Lee Myers, Tiffany Hsu, and Faranz Fassihi (New York Times) | Published: 9/4/2024

American officials and tech company analysts say Iran is waging an intensifying campaign to sway this year’s American presidential election. Iran has long carried out clandestine information operations against its adversaries, especially Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, but until now most of its activities were conducted under the shadow of similar campaigns by Russia and China. Its latest propaganda and disinformation efforts have grown more brazen, more varied, and more ambitious, according to the U.S. government, company officials, and Iran experts.

Republicans Seize on False Theories About Immigrant Voting

DNyuz – Alexandra Berzon (New York Times) | Published: 9/5/2024

There is no indication that noncitizens are voting in large numbers. Yet the notion they will flood the polls, and vote overwhelmingly for Democrats, is animating a network of Republicans who mobilized around Donald Trump’s false claims of a rigged election in 2020 and are now preparing for the next one. Activists, prominent lawyers, Republican lawmakers, right-wing influencers, and other Trump allies have pressed for voter roll purges, filed lawsuits, prepared for on-the-ground monitoring of polling places, and spread misinformation online.

Whistle-Blower Groups Push to End Secret Seizure of Congressional Communications

DNyuz – Luke Broadwater (New York Times) | Published: 8/31/2024

As President Trump hunted for people inside the government who were divulging details of an investigation into whether his 2016 election campaign colluded with Russia, the Justice Department turned to a covert tactic. Department officials secretly collected the phone and email records of roughly a dozen people connected to Congress, including lawmakers and aides who routinely deal with anonymous whistleblowers, to see who might be coming forward with confidential information. Now, whistleblower advocacy groups hope to shame the agency into ending the practice of secretly collecting congressional communications records.

GOP Network Props Up Liberal Third-Party Candidates in Key States, Hoping to Siphon Off Harris Votes

MSN – Brian Slodysko and Dan Merica (Associated Press) | Published: 9/1/2024

Across the country, a network of Republican political operatives, lawyers, and their allies is trying to shape November’s election in ways that favor Donald Trump. Their goal is to prop up third-party candidates such as Cornell West who offer liberal voters an alternative that could siphon away support from Vice President Kamala Harris. It is not clear who is paying for the effort, but it could be impactful in states that were decided by miniscule margins in the 2020 election won by Joe Biden.

13-Month Sentence for Man Who Made 12,000 Harassing Calls to Congress Members

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 9/3/2024

Ade Lilly was sentenced to 13 months in prison for making more than 12,000 harassing phone calls to members of Congress over an 18-month period and threatening to kill a congressional aide. Addressing the defense’s argument that Lilly was motivated by childhood tragedy and a zealous belief lawmakers must do more for the nation’s young people, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly said, “it is easy to see” how his offense might be the result of “good intentions gone wrong.”

Ginni Thomas Privately Praised Group Working Against Supreme Court Reform: ‘Thank you so, so, so much’

MSN – Andy Kroll (ProPublica) and Nick Surgery (Documented) | Published: 9/4/2024

Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, privately heaped praise on a major religious-rights group for fighting efforts to reform the nation’s highest court – efforts sparked, in large part, by her husband’s ethical lapses. Ginni Thomas expressed her appreciation in an email sent to Kelly Shackelford, an influential litigator whose clients have won cases at the Supreme Court. Shackelford runs the First Liberty Institute. It came shortly after President Biden announced support for a slate of reforms for the high court.

Convicted Fraudsters Launch AI Lobbying Firm Using Fake Names

Yahoo News – Daniel Lippman (Politico) | Published: 9/2/2024

A K Street startup pitched as a service to integrate AI into lobbying is covertly run by a pair of well-known, far-right conspiracy theorists and convicted felons who are using pseudonyms in their new business, according to four former employees and other evidence. LobbyMatic was founded last year by Jacob Wohl, who in 2022 was convicted along with his longtime associate Jack Burkman of fraud after running a robocall campaign in largely Black neighborhoods in several states telling people not to vote by mail. LobbyMatic, whose website does not list any company leadership, temporarily signed up at least three brand-name clients.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – She Was Arrested After Speaking at a City Meeting. Now She’s Suing.

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 9/4/2024

An Arizona woman is suing the city of Surprise for arresting and charging her with trespassing during a recent city council meeting after she criticized the city attorney’s proposed pay raise. Mayor Skip Hall interrupted Rebekah Massie’s remarks, accusing her of “attacking the city attorney personally” and violating a council policy. Her lawsuit requests that a judge order the city to halt a policy that stipulates comments during council meetings “may not be used to lodge charges or complaints against” public officials.

California – Mayor Breed Orders Increased Scrutiny of San Francisco Contract Work, Grantees

KQED – Sydney Johnson | Published: 9/3/2024

City contractors and grant recipients will face tighter scrutiny to receive public dollars, according to a directive from San Francisco Mayor London Breed. The order, which is effective immediately, comes after numerous scandals. Breed also announced legislation to support her directive that would require contractors to keep separate accounts for political activities and prevent them from using city funds or lobbying officials.

California – While an Orange County Supervisor Was Under Scrutiny, His Daughter Interned with County Prosecutors

MSN – Salvador Hernandez (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/29/2024

Within weeks of it being revealed that Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do directed millions of dollars in contracts to a nonprofit without disclosing a link to his daughter, a scandal that sparked a lawsuit and a possible federal probe, his daughter began working as an intern for the county’s top prosecutor. Two county supervisors said they were unaware of Rhiannon Do’s stint at the district attorney’s office while county officials considered a lawsuit against Viet America Society, a nonprofit that once listed the supervisor’s daughter as its president, and asked for local and federal officials to step in.

California – Anaheim Hires City’s First Ethics Officer

Orange County Register – Michael Slaten | Published: 9/3/2024

Anaheim has hired its first ethics officer. Artin Berjikly will be the assistant city attorney-ethics officer, leading a new ethics division. Berjikly will report to the city attorney and provide legal expertise on ethical issues, campaign finance laws, conflict-of-interest rules, and the city’s lobbying laws.

Florida – Activists Charged with Pushing Russian Propaganda Go on Trial in Florida

WLRN – Patricia Mazzei (New York Times) | Published: 9/3/2024

Experts say a trial in Florida offers a rare glimpse into how Russia has tried to secretly influence American politics. Prosecutors say Russia sought out a sympathetic group in the U.S., invited its leader to visit Moscow, and established a long-term relationship. The group then promoted Russian views on its website, social media accounts, and radio station. Four Americans face charges they conspired to have other U.S. citizens act as illegal agents of the Russian government or acted as unregistered Russian agents themselves.

Florida – Miami Lakes Sues Law Firm Over Role in FBI Corruption Sting That Led to Mayor’s Arrest

Yahoo News – Catherine Odom (Miami Herald) | Published: 8/29/2024

Miami Lakes is suing a law firm over its involvement in an FBI sting operation that led to the arrest of the town’s mayor in 2013. The suit is seeking more than $5 million in damages over the role of Richard Candia, who was an employee at the law firm Becker & Poliakoff, in the FBI operation. Candia was party to an alleged corruption scheme involving then-Mayor Michael Pizzi and later became an FBI informant. Miami Lakes is suing the firm, which was under contract to provide lobbying and consulting services to the town, for negligence, as well as breach of contract and fiduciary duties.

Iowa – Iowa Lieutenant Governor Resigns to Take Over State Lobby Group Representing Bankers

MSN – Hannah Fingerhut (Associated Press) | Published: 9/3/2024

Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg resigned to take the helm of the Iowa Bankers Association. The association advocates for its members with state and local governments and has been led for 28 years by John Sorensen, who is stepping down this year. Sorensen was registered as a lobbyist for the current General Assembly, but Iowa law specifies a statewide elected official “shall not within two years after the termination of service or employment become a lobbyist.”

Louisiana – Shreveport Lawmaker Fought Ethics Board for Years Before Authoring New Ethics Laws

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 8/29/2024

The first two bills state Rep. Steven Jackson authored had an unusual target for a new lawmaker: Louisiana’s Board of Ethics. His interest in restricting the board’s activities follows five years of angry exchanges between Jackson and ethics staff over financial penalties he has accrued while running for office. Since his first race for the Caddo Parish Commission in 2015, Jackson has racked up $10,080 in late fees after failing to file or improperly submitting 12 campaign finance and personal disclosure reports.

Maine – Maine Utilities Will Be Banned from Spending Ratepayer Money on Lobbying, Advertising

Yahoo News – Stephen Singer (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 9/4/2024

Maine regulators announced they will draft rules that prohibit utilities from billing ratepayers for spending on advertising, lobbying, and political expenses and require spending disclosures to the state. Legislation passed last year bars utilities from passing on expenses for contributions or gifts to candidates, political parties, and political or legislative committees; to a trade association, chamber of commerce, or public charity; for lobbying or grassroots lobbying; or for educational expenses, unless approved by the Public Utilities Commission.

Montana – Tim Sheehy Was Recorded Using Racist Stereotypes About Native Americans

Seattle Times – Kellen Browning (New York Times) | Published: 9/3/2024

Tim Sheehy, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Montana, made comments perpetuating racist stereotypes about Native Americans during private fundraisers last year, according to recordings of the events. In one recording, Sheehy can be heard saying he had participated in roping and branding cattle on the Crow Reservation, and it was “a great way to bond with all the Indians out there, while they’re drunk at 8 a.m.”

New Hampshire – Ex-Biden Official in NH Primary Raises Questions with ‘Bizarre’ Financial Disclosure

MSN – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 8/30/2024

Maggie Goodlander, a candidate in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire for retiring U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster’s seat, filed a personal financial disclosure that has raised questions over the actual value of sizable assets she holds. The disclosure puzzled experts because it lists the value of multiple easily verifiable assets as “undetermined,” including checking, retirement, and investment accounts, and several properties or pieces of land, even those the report indicates are currently for sale.

New Mexico – The New Mexico Project Ordered to Disclose Donors, Campaign Expenditures

Yahoo News – Colleen Held (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 8/29/2024

A state judge ordered a dark money group that paid for political advertising in support of legislative candidates in New Mexico earlier this year to disclose the sources of its funding and its spending by September 9. Judge Joshua Allison ruled the New Mexico Project meets the definition of “political committee” and must comply with the state’s campaign finance law. The state Ethics Commission based its case partly on statements the group’s founder made on talk radio, social media, and in radio advertisements.

New York – Former Aide to N.Y. Governors Charged with Secretly Helping China

MSN – Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 9/3/2024

Linda Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, was accused of trading on her connections to act as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government. Federal prosecutors also indicted Sun’s husband, Chris Hu, for allegedly illegal conduct dating back to her time as an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Sun was accused of using her influence as a top aide to both governors to shape state policy toward China and Taiwan. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said the couple’s scheme made them millions of dollars.

New York – Federal Judge Rejects Donald Trump’s Request to Intervene in Wake of Hush Money Conviction

MSN – Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 9/3/2024

A federal judge rejected Donald Trump’s request to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case, spurning the former president’s attempt at an end-run around the state court where he was convicted and is set to be sentenced on September 18. U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein’s ruling – just hours after Trump’s lawyers asked him to weigh the move – upends Trump’s plan to move the case to federal court so he could seek to have his conviction overturned in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling.

North Carolina – In North Carolina, the Math for a Supermajority May Come Down to One

DNyuz – David Chen (New York Times) | Published: 8/31/2024

This fall, as Democrats and Republicans vie for control of state Legislatures across the country, much of the attention has focused on states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, where one or two seats could tip the balance. But in a handful of states, the Legislature is dominated by one party, while the governor’s office is held by another. In those states, an effort is underway to either preserve an existing supermajority, which confers the ability to override a governor’s veto, or to break it. Nowhere has the battle been more magnified than in North Carolina.

Ohio – Federal Judge Blocks Ohio’s Ban on Foreign Political Donations

Ohio Capital Journal – Morgan Trau (WEWS) | Published: 9/3/2024

A federal judge blocked Ohio’s new law limiting who can participate in the political process just hours before it was set to go into effect. The controversial legislation would have prevented lawful permanent residents, known as green card holders, from making contributions or expenditures regarding ballot issues or candidates. It would also prevent campaigns from accepting donations from them.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma’s Election Laws Inhibit Voter Participation, Create More Extreme Candidates, Experts Say

Oklahoma Voice – Emma Murphy | Published: 8/30/2024

Oklahoma’s voting system is leading to low turnout rates, the election of more extreme candidates, and disenfranchisement of voters who are excluded from participating in primary elections, experts said. That is prompting conversations about whether reforms are needed to increase voter participation rates and how the state can ensure hundreds of thousands of independent voters have a voice at the ballot box at a time when most outcomes are determined months ahead of November’s general election.

Pennsylvania – A Court Just Told Pa. Not to Reject Mail Ballots Missing Handwritten Dates. The Case Isn’t Over Yet.

Spotlight PA – Carter Walker (Votebeat) | Published: 8/30/2024

Not counting a voter’s mail ballot because they failed to properly date the return envelope violates their rights under the state constitution, a Pennsylvania appellate court ruled. “The refusal to count undated or incorrectly dated but timely mail ballots submitted by otherwise eligible voters because of meaningless and inconsequential paperwork errors violates the fundamental right to vote recognized in the free and equal elections clause,” Judge Ellen Ceisler wrote for the majority, referring to a provision in the state constitution. Republicans said they would immediately appeal the ruling to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Tennessee – Tennessee Education Commissioner Remains Under the Microscope

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennesse Lookout) | Published: 9/5/2024

Tennessee lawmakers have been scrutinizing state Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds almost since she took the post in 2023 to push the governor’s private-school voucher plan, and some want to take an even closer look at her administration. Reynolds has been dogged by revelations that she did not meet state requirements to hold the education commissioner position. A complaint was filed about trips Reynolds took to two out-of-state education conferences paid for by her former employer, the pro-voucher group ExcelInEd, which hires a lobbyist to work on education issues in Tennessee.

Texas – Paxton’s Election Fraud Charges Upend Lives but Result in Few Convictions

MSN – Arelis Hernández and Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 9/2/2024

Leticia Sanchez was an activist in her majority-Latino community helping register people to vote before she was arrested in 2018. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused her and three other Hispanic women of forming an “organized voter fraud ring” that targeted elderly voters by applying for mail-in ballots they had not requested. Five years later, the case was dismissed by the state’s highest criminal court. The case fits a pattern that has emerged in Texas under Paxton: aggressive prosecutions for alleged election fraud crimes that upend lives but result in few cases that go to trial and end in a conviction.

Texas – Top Harris County Health Official Fired after Chronicle Investigation into $6 Million Contract

MSN – Mike Morris (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 8/30/2024

Harris County Public Health Executive Director Barbie Robinson was fired amid a scandal over her department’s hiring of an embattled California consulting company for a lucrative contract. Records showed Robinson arranged for DEMA Consulting & Management to run two county COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites two months after she was named executive director in 2021. Then DEMA won a bigger, more competitive public health contract. Several email exchanges during the county’s procurement process for the second contract suggested possible conflicts-of-interest.

Utah – ‘Deceptive’ and ‘Misleading’: Ballot language to limit voters’ initiative power thrashed by critics – including Republicans

Salt Lake Tribune – Robert Gehrke (Sal Lake Tribune) | Published: 9/4/2024

Groups opposing a constitutional amendment that will ensure the Utah Legislature can repeal or amend any future ballot initiative are outraged by the way the issue will be presented on voters’ ballots in November. The question put before voters is whether to prohibit “foreign influence” on ballot initiatives and “clarifying the voters and legislative bodies’ ability to amend laws.” Opponents contend the description of the amendment “clarifying” the power of voters minimizes what they say is a power grab by the Legislature that would strip voters of their constitutional right to run ballot initiatives.

Vermont – House Ethics Panel Provided ‘Restorative Justice’ Response to Legislator’s Bag-Soaking Scheme

VTDigger.org – Sarah Mearhoff | Published: 8/29/2024

After investigating accusations that a state representative repeatedly bullied a colleague throughout the 2024 legislative session by secretly pouring water into his tote bag, the Vermont House Ethics Panel initiated a “restorative justice process as a response.” Rep. Jim Carroll, the target of the bullying, and Rep. Mary Morrissey, who admitted to the acts, said they met with the panel throughout this summer to discuss the incidents. A statement said Morrissey “is committed to making amends, including activities that encourage the development and strengthening of collaborative and positive relationships within the legislative community.”

Washington – Group Behind State Initiatives Accused of Violating State Anti-Corruption Laws with Discount Gas, Burgers

Spokane Spokesman-Review – Emry Dinman | Published: 9/4/2024

Let’s Go Washington was accused of illegally trying to sway voters to support four initiatives the group backs with offers of discount gas and burgers. The complaint filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission alleges Let’s Go Washington’s offer of cheaper gas, and in one case food during promotional events for the four initiatives, ran afoul of the state’s anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws.

National/Federal

Feds Charge Crypto Lobbyist Linked to Former FTX Executive with Campaign Finance Crimes

Courthouse News Service – John Russell | Published: 8/22/2024

Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment accusing convicted former FTX executive Ryan Salame’s girlfriend of receiving illegal campaign contributions during her unsuccessful bid for a New York congressional seat in 2022. Authorities say cryptocurrency lobbyist Michelle Bond illegally financed her campaign with hundreds of thousands of dollars wired to her from Salame. She then lied to the House ethics committee about the origin of those campaign funds, they say. Salame pleaded guilty for his role in a conspiracy to make unlawful political contributions.

Free Booze, a Lake Cruise and Selfies Galore: How Democrats courted influencers at the D.N.C.

DNyuz – Ken Bensinger (New York Times) | Published: 8/23/2024

At the Democratic National Convention, “content creators” – better known as an influencers – got face time with Gwen Walz, the wife of Tim Walz, aboard a private boat; they were treated to tiki bar parties and catered rooftop luncheons; and many were offered one-on-one interviews with some of the Democratic Party’s biggest names. The treatment was part of a campaign to flood social media with positive messages about Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Democrats hoped that free stuff and access would reap posts on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, the primary sources of news for a critical, and growing, slice of voters.

Inside the Democratic Schmoozefest, Where Hotel Lobbies Are ‘Prime Territory’

DNyuz – Michael Shear and Theodore Schleifer (New York Times) | Published: 8/23/2024

Powerful relationships are born and nurtured at political conventions, far from K Street lobbying offices or boardrooms. “Hotel lobbies are prime territory,” said Steve Elmendorf, a veteran Democratic lobbyist who compared the schmoozing to a college reunion. “People are unobstructed. You see the governor or the senator walk through the lobby, you can go talk to them.”

How a Federal Court in New Orleans Is Driving the Conservative Agenda

DNyuz – Mattathias Schwartz (New York Times) | Published: 8/26/2024

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has turned its corner of the federal judiciary into a proving ground for some of the most aggressive conservative arguments in American law. In a few of the biggest Supreme Court decisions of the last few years – including Dobbs v. Jackson, which ended a 49-year right to abortion – it was the Fifth Circuit that first ruled on the case, teeing it up for Supreme Court review and a seismic moment in law and politics. In the Supreme Court’s upcoming term, the justices have agreed to hear five more cases from the Fifth Circuit.

Sarah Palin Is Granted New Libel Trial Against The New York Times

DNyuz – David Enrich (New York Times) | Published: 8/28/2024

A federal appeals court ordered a new trial in a long-running libel lawsuit that Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and Republican vice-presidential nominee, brought against The New York Times. The court found Palin’s original trial against newspaper, which she lost in 2022, had been tainted by problematic rulings by the presiding judge. The suit accused The Times of defaming her in an editorial that wrongly suggested she incited a 2011 shooting at a political event in Arizona.

In Some States, Having a Guardian Means Not Having a Vote

DNyuz – Rachel Nostrant (New York Times) | Published: 8/29/2024

Seven states have laws that say anyone under a guardianship agreement cannot cast a ballot. Guardianships give a court-approved guardian, who might be a parent, a caretaker, or even a public defender, decision-making authority over a person. It may be limited to certain matters, like financial decisions, or it could extend to every facet of the person’s life. Many of the state laws are decades or even centuries old and presume that anyone under guardianship is mentally incompetent. The Justice Department said earlier this year that such blanket policies are illegal under federal civil rights laws.

Head of EPA Air Office Violated Ethics Rules, Agency Watchdog Says

MSN – Maxine Joselow (Washington Post) | Published: 8/28/2024

Joseph Goffman, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air office, violated federal ethics rules by failing to disclose his financial interest in a company regulated by the agency. Goffman did not disclose he held more than $25,000 worth of stock in Sherwin-Williams, which makes paint and coatings, before helping to craft a rule that directly affected the company. The rule is intended to limit harmful air pollution from facilities across the country that manufacture coatings.

Exec at Trump Media Jumped the Line for U.S. Visa After Company Lobbied GOP Lawmaker

MSN – Robert Faturechi, Justin Elliott, and Alex Mierjeski (ProPubica) | Published: 8/29/2024

U.S. Rep. Rep. Don Bacon intervened to help Donald Trump’s social media company jump the line for a difficult-to-obtain foreign-worker visa to bring a company executive to the U.S. A former staffer said Bacon personally instructed her to help Trump Media, even though she thought it was inappropriate to mix politics with the office’s constituent services duties.

How a Trump Visit Sparked Turmoil at America’s Most Sacred Cemetery

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, and Dan Lemothe (Washington Post) | Published: 8/28/2024

Donald Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to mark the anniversary of a bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members during the evacuation from Afghanistan. Officials said they wanted to respect the wishes of family members who wanted Trump there but were wary of his record of politicizing the military. Federal law prohibits election-related activities at military cemeteries. Officials laid out ground rules they hoped would wall off politics from the final resting place of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Instead, they got sucked into exactly the kind of crisis they were hoping to avoid.

Why Extreme Heat Is Making Campaign Rallies More Dangerous

MSN – Maxine Joselow (Washington Post) | Published: 8/29/2024

At least 78 attendees of Donald Trump’s rallies have been hospitalized for heat-related illnesses in the past three months. An attendee of a Kamala Harris’s rally in Wisconsin appeared to suffer from heat stroke, prompting a pause in the programming. The incidents underscore how climate change, which is making heat waves longer and more extreme, is complicating plans for outdoor events of all kinds. Such rallies have become a hallmark of campaigning, especially in swing states in the sweltering Sun Belt and the unseasonably warm Midwest.

New Trump Indictment Tries to Salvage Case after Supreme Court Ruling

MSN – Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 8/27/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith filed an updated indictment against Donald Trump in a bid to strengthen the historic election obstruction case, following a Supreme Court ruling that granted broad immunity to presidents for official acts and sharply criticized the prosecutor’s approach. Even a whittled-down indictment could end up the subject of protracted fights between the special counsel and Trump’s attorneys about what is allowed to be charged or used as evidence, battles that once again may have to be settled by the Supreme Court.

Jack Smith Appeals Judge Cannon Decision to Throw Out Trump Case

MSN – Perry Stein and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 8/26/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith urged an appeals court to reverse U.S. District Cort Judge Aileen Cannon’s dismissal of Donald Trump’s classified-documents case, arguing Attorney General Merrick Garland had clear authority to appoint Smith to lead the prosecution. Smith wrote Cannon ignored decades of precedent when she issued her decision to toss out the entire indictment, in which she said Smith was wrongfully appointed and wielded too much power for someone who was not in a Senate-confirmed position.

Trump Special Counsel Opts Against Mini-Trial Before Election

Yahoo News – Chris Strohm (Bloomberg News) | Published: 8/23/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith has decided against seeking a major hearing to present evidence in the election-interference case against Donald Trump before voters go to the polls, according to people familiar with the matter. The move means it is unlikely a so-called mini-trial, which would include evidence and testimony from possible blockbuster witnesses like former Vice President Mike Pence, would take place before the presidential election.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Horizon Ottawa to Face Legal Action Over Alleged Campaign Finance Violations

Yahoo News – Arthur White-Crummey (CBC) | Published: 8/29/2024

Ottawa’s election compliance audit committee decided to launch legal proceedings against a progressive advocacy group for alleged breaches of campaign finance law during the last municipal election. An audit found Horizon Ottawa possibly violated the Municipal Elections Act by failing to keep proper records, improperly collecting cash donations, and incurring expenses before it registered as a third-party advertiser.

Arizona – In Arizona Fake Electors Case, Judge Weighs New Protection for Defendants

MSN – Betsy Woodruff Swan (Politico) | Published: 8/27/2024

Allies of Donald Trump are using an unusual new Arizona law to urge a judge to throw out a criminal case charging them with fraudulently trying to overturn the state’s 2020 presidential election result. The law was designed to stop prosecutors from bringing flimsy cases out of political animus. The defendants now trying to harness it include former Trump legal adviser John Eastman and other Trump confidants, as well as Arizona Republicans who falsely claimed Trump won Arizona and held themselves out as the state’s legitimate electors in the Electoral College.

Arizona – Arizona May Require Proof of Citizenship on State Voter Forms for Now

MSN – Justin Jouvenal and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 8/22/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for a provision of Arizona law that requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in some circumstances, the first time the high court has weighed in on a voting dispute in the run-up to the presidential election. The order means Arizona election officials must reject state registration forms if voters do not provide documentation of citizenship. The justices kept on hold provisions of the law that could have disqualified voters who register with separate federal forms from casting ballots in a presidential contest in person or by mail.

California – DWP Officials Attended a Fancy Conference. Their Tab Was Paid with Mislabeled Invoices

MSN – Dakota Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/22/2024

Several Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) officials, including then-DWP board President Cynthia McClain-Hill, attended the International Utilities and Energy Conference last year. McClain-Hill opted for a $980 food, drink, and gifts package for the three days of the conference. Under the city’s ethics rules, McClain-Hill could not accept gifts of more than $100 annually from the conference host, Accenture, because the company has contracts with the DWP. Some DWP and Accenture staff found a way for the department to pick up the tab for the package by mislabeling an invoice for McClain-Hill.

California – A Pricey City Contract Was Slipping Away. Then a Call Was Made – and It May Be Linked to Oakland FBI Investigation

MSN – Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) | Published: 8/22/2024

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao will likely soon cast a tie-breaking vote, deciding whether the city will extend a lucrative contract with security company ABC Services, which has provided guards who check in and search visitors before they enter City Hall and other municipal properties. ABC Security’s owner has longstanding business ties to Mario Juarez, a businessperson who is a key figure in the FBI’s ongoing probe of Oakland politicians and businesses. Records reveal Juarez and Julie Wedge, also named in the FBI’s probe, lobbied on behalf of ABC Security two years ago when the company was at risk of not being considered for a new contract.

California – FBI Raids Homes of Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do and His Daughter

MSN – Salvador Hernandez and Hannah Fry Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/22/2024

Federal agents raided the homes of Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do and his daughter as well as several other properties in an investigation into the alleged improper use of taxpayer money. At least five locations, including several homes and a restaurant, were searched as part of allegations made against local nonprofit Viet America Society in a lawsuit brought by Orange County. The county alleges the nonprofit misused money it was awarded to feed the elderly and needy during the pandemic, instead spending the funds on “lavish purchases,” the lawsuit states.

California – San Bernardino County OKs $100,000 Cap for Political Party Committee Campaign Donations

Riverside Press-Enterprise – Michael Ricaforte | Published: 8/23/2024

San Bernardino County supervisors moved to significantly raise the limit on local campaign donations and, in what officials called an effort to promote transparency, created an oversight committee responsible for enforcing the new rules. The state’s limits act as the default for cities and counties that have not already enacted a contribution limit; however, cities and counties are permitted to set their own caps.

California – How California Became a New Center of Political Corruption

Yahoo News – Ralph Vartabedian (New York Times) | Published: 8/29/2024

Over the last 10 years, 576 public officials in California have been convicted on federal corruption charges, exceeding the number of cases in states better known for public corruption, including New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. A heavy concentration of power at City Halls, the receding presence of local news media, a population that often tunes out local politics, and a growing Democratic supermajority in state government have all helped insulate officeholders from damage, political analysts said.

Delaware – Delaware Election Officials Communicated with Lieutenant Governor’s Office Amid Finance Scandal

MSN – Randall Chase (Associated Press) | Published: 8/23/2024

State election officials in Delaware communicated directly with one or more aides in Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s office last year amid a scandal involving her campaign finance reports, according to emails. They show Elections Commissioner Anthony Albence, a fellow Democrat, wanted to keep Hall-Long’s office apprised of reporters’ questions about amendments to years of campaign finance reports in which Hall-Long failed to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans.

District of Columbia – FBI Says Trayon White Took Bribes on Tape. Convicting Him May Still Be Hard.

MSN – Peter Hermann and Emily Davies (Washington Post) | Published: 8/21/2024

The affidavit that alleges District of Columbia Council member Trayon White Sr. accepted tens of thousands in bribes appears damning. White was caught on camera taking envelopes full of cash as he vowed to use his influence to steer contracts to the man handing the money over, the affidavit alleges. But the legal case will be more complicated than the affidavit suggests, according to some legal analysts. Because of recent Supreme Court decisions limiting what counts as public corruption, federal prosecutors will have to meet a high bar to convince jurors that White broke the law.

Georgia – Democrats Sue to Block Georgia Rules That They Warn Will Block Finalization of Election Results

MSN – Jeff Amy and Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 8/26/2024

Democrats sued to block two recent rules adopted by Georgia’s State Election Board that could be used by county officials who want to refuse to certify an election, potentially causing delays in finalizing the state’s results. The lawsuit argues the rules violate a state law that makes certification a mandatory duty. It asks the judge to find the rules are invalid because the State Election Board, now dominated by allies of Donald Trump, is exceeding its legal authority.

Georgia – Former Atlanta CFO Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Embezzling Money, Falsifying Tax Records

WSB – Jonathan O’Brien and Miles Montgomery | Published: 8/27/2024

Former Atlanta Chief Financial Officer Jim Beard was sentenced to three years in prison for embezzling money and falsifying tax records. Beard served as chief financial officer during former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed’s administration. He is one of the highest-ranking officials caught up in the City Hall corruption probe. According to the Department of Justice, in total, Beard stole tens of thousands of dollars from the city. He ordered two custom-built machine guns using a $2,641.90 check from the city, telling the manufacturer the machine guns were for the use of the Atlanta Police Department even though Beard took the guns to his own home.

Illinois – Seeking History, an Archivist Gathers What Protesters at the DNC Left Behind

MSN – Reis Thebault (Washington Post) | Published: 8/23/2024

Julie Wroblewski is the director of collections for the Chicago History Museum. In a city with a more explosive political convention history than anywhere else, she has been ensuring a record of what unfolds inside and outside the United Center at the 2024 Democratic convention is documented for posterity. Wroblewski and others have been considering what could be important to museum visitors in the decades to come. As society’s shared history becomes increasingly digital, living mostly on unstable and ephemeral formats, old-fashioned preservation work is even more important, Wroblewski said.

Illinois – Illinois Supreme Court Sides with GOP, Upholds Unconstitutionality of Ban on Slating Candidates

Yahoo News – Jeremy Gorner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 8/27/2024

The Illinois Supreme Court upheld a judge’s ruling that found unconstitutional a law preventing the slating of legislative candidates for the November election in races where political parties did not field contenders. Before Democrats moved to change the law, local Democratic and Republican committees regularly filled vacancies for legislative spots on the general election ballot in races where no candidates from their party had run in the primary.

Maryland – Ex Pr. George’s Council Member Pleads Guilty to Theft Scheme, Perjury

MSN – Jasmine Hilton and Lateshia Beacham (Washington Post) | Published: 8/26/2024

Former Prince George’s County Council member Jamel Franklin pleaded guilty to dipping into his campaign coffers to make at least $130,000 in payments on rent, loans, credit cards, and cosmetic procedures for himself and a close friend and then falsifying campaign finance reports. He faces up to one year of incarceration under a plea agreement. As part of the agreement, Franklin must pay restitution of $133,168.67 to his campaign committee, which will be given to a charity of his choice.

Michigan – Michigan Sheriff Under Investigation for Hosting Trump Campaign Stop

MLive – Michael Kransz | Published: 8/23/2024

Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy is under investigation by the Michigan Bureau of Elections after he used his department to host Donald Trump for a campaign event. Trump spoke for about an hour inside an equipment and vehicle storage warehouse managed by the Sheriff’s Department. During the remarks, he railed against his Vice President Kamala Harris’ record on crime and immigration.

Nebraska – Nebraska Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Felon Voting Law

Yahoo News – Aaron Sanderford (Nebraska Examiner) | Published: 8/28/2024

Nebraska Supreme Court justices peppered lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union and the state attorney general’s office with questions about whether the Legislature has the constitutional authority to restore the voting rights of people who committed felonies. Some justices asked whether the court should consider the broader constitutional question on voting rights and pardons or decide only whether Secretary of State Bob Evnen had the authority to avoid implementing a law the Legislature passed this spring.

Nevada – Ex-Politician Found Guilty of Murder in Vegas Reporter’s Stabbing Death

MSN – Eric Levenson (CNN) | Published: 8/28/2024

The former Nevada politician who was accused of fatally stabbing a Las Vegas investigative reporter after a series of critical stories was found guilty of murder in a trial that highlighted concerns around press safety. Robert Telles, a former Clark County public administrator, was convicted in the September 2022 death of Jeff Garman, a longtime Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter. Prosecutors alleged Telles killed German because he was angry about the reporter’s articles exposing turmoil in his little-known political office and was concerned about another upcoming article.

New Mexico – Political Group The New Mexico Project Still Fighting Disclosure

Yahoo News – Colleen Heild (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 8/25/2024

Former gubernatorial candidate Jeff Apodaca has claimed his fledgling nonprofit group, The New Mexico Project, has raised nearly $1 million. Exactly what has been done with the funds, and where they came from, became no clearer after a two-hour court hearing in which attorneys for the state Ethics Commission argued that under state law, The New Mexico Project is really a campaign committee and should divulge its independent expenditures and sources of funding.

North Carolina – She Was Accused of a Crime for Taking a Ballot Selfie. Now She’s Suing.

MSN – Kyle Melnick (Washington Post) | Published: 8/27/2024

After Susan Hogarth visited her local school to vote in North Carolina’s March primary election, she held the ballot under her chin and took a photo of herself with her phone. She posted the selfie from the voting booth on X. The next week, Hogarth received a letter from the North Carolina State Board of Elections that accused her of committing a misdemeanor, according to a new lawsuit. North Carolina is one of several states that prohibit taking photos or videos of filled-in ballots.

North Dakota – Ethics Commission Investigating Complaint Against State-Funded Filmmaker

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 8/21/2024

The North Dakota Ethics Commission is investigating whether a Bismarck filmmaker broke lobbying rules before securing grant money from the state Department of Commerce. A complaint alleges Daniel Bielinski, founder of Canticle Productions, acted as an unregistered lobbyist when he hosted Sen. Brad Bekkedahl at a private dinner and screening of his film “End of the Rope.” The complaint said roughly two weeks after the film screening, Bekkedahl alluded on the Senate floor that a $600,000 grant included in the Commerce Department’s budget bill was intended to go to Canticle Productions.

Ohio – Ohio Lawsuit Seeks Rewrite of Redistricting Ballot Language Dubbed ‘Biased, Inaccurate, Deceptive’

MSN – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 8/22/2024

The Ohio Supreme Court should step in on behalf of voters and order a rewrite of ballot language for a redistricting measure that “may be the most biased, inaccurate, deceptive, and unconstitutional” the state has ever seen, argues a lawsuit. The proposed amendment calls for replacing the state’s troubled existing map-making system with a 15-person citizen-led commission of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. Members would be selected by retired judges.

Oklahoma – As Oklahoma Considers Loosening Campaign Finance Rules, Outside Groups Run Wild

MSN – Clifton Adcock (The Frontier) | Published: 8/15/2024

Independent expenditure groups continue to shower Oklahoma politicians with millions of dollars as the state eyes ways to rein in the secretive groups’ spending. The financial support from these shadowy groups added up to more than the candidate spent through their own campaigns during the June 18 primary, state Ethics Commission records show.

Oregon – Records Reveal Major Oversights in Democratic Party of Oregon’s Misreporting of $500,000 Contribution

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 8/27/2024

Key leaders of the Oregon Democratic Party overlooked indications the actual source of a $500,000 donation was a cryptocurrency executive, not a financial transaction firm the organization named as a donor. The state Democratic Party reported the contributor of the largest ever donation to the party was Prime Trust. Following media inquiries, the group’s executive director admitted weeks later the contribution had come from Nishad Singh, then director of engineering at now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, and employees had not checked carefully enough into the source of the contribution.

Oregon – Portland Elections Office Investigating Rene Gonzalez for Using Taxpayer Funds on Wikipedia Edits

Portland Mercury – Courtney Vaughn | Published: 8/19/2024

Portland’s Elections Office is investigating potential campaign finance violations by city Commissioner Rene Gonzalez after receiving three complaints about the commissioner’s expenditure of $6,400 in city funds to edit his Wikipedia page. The expense raises questions about whether the sitting commissioner and mayoral candidate used city money for his own personal and political benefit during the thick of campaign season.

Tennessee – Judges Dismiss Suit Alleging Tennessee’s Political Maps Discriminate Against Communities of Color

MSN – Kimberly Kruesi (Associated Press) | Published: 8/22/2024

A federal judicial panel dismissed a lawsuit alleging Tennessee’s U.S. House maps and those for the state Senate amount to unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. The three judges on the panel argued there was another clear motivation behind the state’s Republican legislative supermajority by pointing to “naked partisanship” as the likely “straightforward explanation.”

Texas – Latino Civil Rights Group Demands Inquiry into Texas Voter Fraud Raids

DNyuz – Edgar Sandoval (New York Times) | Published: 8/25/2024

A civil rights group is asking the Department of Justice to open an investigation into a series of raids conducted on Latino voting activists and political operatives as part of a sprawling voter fraud inquiry by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The League of United Latin American Citizens said many of those targeted were Democratic leaders and election volunteers, and some were older residents. Gabriel Rosales, director of the group’s Texas chapter, said officers took cellphones, computers, and documents. He said the raids were an effort to suppress Latino voters.

National/Federal

Are Voters Ready to Elect a Woman? Democrats Say They Have No Doubt.

DNyuz – Jennifer Medina (New York Times) | Published: 8/22/2024

The first time Kamala Harris ran for president, in 2019, one question dogged her and the handful of others running to be the first female president: can a woman win? Three years earlier, Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump after a campaign she and her defenders believed was rife with misogyny and sexism. The question of whether Democrats wanted to try to break the gender barrier again was a running and fraught debate for months. Those doubts have mostly been banished this time.

He Regulated Medical Devices. His Wife Represented Their Makers.

DNyuz – Christina Jewett (New York Times) | Published: 8/20/2024

For 15 years, Dr. Jeffrey Shuren was the Food and Drug Administration official charged with ensuring the safety of a vast array of medical devices. Consumer advocates see his tenure as marred by the approval of too many devices that harmed patients and by his own close ties to the $500 billion global device industry. While Dr. Shuren regulated the booming medical device industry, his wife, Allison Shuren, represented the interests of device makers as the co-leader of a team of lawyers at Arnold & Porter, one of Washington’s most powerful law firms.

The Year of the A.I. Election That Wasn’t

DNyuz – Sheera Frenkel (New York Times) | Published: 8/21/2024

This was supposed to be the year of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) election. Moe than 30 tech companies have offered AI products to national, state, and local campaigns in recent months. The companies make products that reorganize voter rolls and campaign emails, expand robocalls, and create AI-generated likenesses of candidates. But campaigns are largely not biting, and when they have, the technology has fallen flat. Much of the hesitation stems from internal campaign polls that found voters were nervous about AI and distrusted the technology.

SEC Fines Texas Investment Adviser $95k for ‘Pay to Play’ Rule Breach

Investment News – Leo Almazora | Published: 8/20/2024

A Texas-based investment adviser was fined $95,000 by the Securities and Exchange Commission after an investigation found the firm in violation of the “pay-to-play” rule under the Advisers Act. The violations stem from improper campaign contributions made by a newly hired associate, which ultimately led to Obra Capital Management illegally providing advisory services to a government client.

Justice Department Signals Plan to Salvage Obstruction Charges in Some Jan. 6 Cases

MSN – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 8/21/2024

The Justice Department said it plans to press ahead with obstruction charges against two January 6 defendants despite the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that limited the scope of a federal statute making it a felony to obstruct many government proceedings. Prosecutors contended they can still prove the two defendants are guilty of obstructing Congress even under the high court’s narrow interpretation of the law. The defendants, Don and Shawndale Chilcoat, are accused of surging with the mob onto the Senate floor during the riot at the Capitol.

Democrats Signal Voting Rights Bills Will Top the Agenda If Harris Wins

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 8/22/2024

Democratic leaders say passing sweeping legislation to expand voting rights and curb gerrymandering will be at or near the top of their governing agenda should Vice President Kamala Harris win the presidency this fall in a blue wave that also ushers in unified control of Capitol Hill. To do so, they are willing to bypass the filibuster, a staple of the Senate the party increasingly sees as one among a litany of tools that Republicans have used to thwart the popular will.

Fake Accounts on Meta Pushed Conservatives to Run for Office as Independents

MSN – Naomi Nix (Washington Post) | Published: 8/15/2024

A network of social media accounts used Meta to promote a fictitious political advocacy group that attempted to recruit conservative candidates to run as independents, part of a rush of campaigns infiltrating the platform. Meta removed dozens of social media accounts and pages amplifying Patriots Run Project. The social media influence operation, one of six Meta reported taking down, illustrates the looming threats facing online platforms as they prepare for the 2024 election. Along with domestic actors, foreign actors including Russia are renewing efforts to influence political discourse in the United States, according to Meta.

House GOP Accuses Biden of Impeachable Conduct with No Direct Evidence

MSN – Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 8/19/2024

House Republicans released a long-awaited report from their impeachment probe into President Biden’s activities as vice president, accusing him of obstructing federal and congressional investigations and improperly leveraging his power to benefit his family. Despite a trio of House committees finding Biden engaged in “impeachable offenses,” Republicans did not recommend further action just three months away from an election in which Biden is no longer running. The report failed to unearth any new evidence the president, during his time as vice president, directly acted to benefit his family’s business dealings.

Former US Rep George Santos Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Identity Theft in His Federal Case

MSN – Philip Marcello (Associated Press) | Published: 8/19/2024

Former U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, short-circuiting the federal fraud case that led to his expulsion from Congress just weeks before it was set to go to trial. He faces more than six years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines and owes at least $370,000 in restitution. Santos was indicted on felony charges that he stole from campaign donors, used political contributions to pay for personal expenses, lied to Congress about his wealth, and collected unemployment benefits while working.

FBI Concludes Iran Tried to Hack Campaigns of Trump, Biden-Harris

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 8/19/2024

The FBI and U.S. intelligence agencies confirmed Iran was responsible for recent attempted hacks into the Trump and Biden-Harris presidential campaigns. Campaign staffers received phishing emails that were designed to appear legitimate but could give an intruder access to the recipients’ communications.

Women Running for Office Are Talking About Their Reproductive History, Once Seen as a Liability

MSN – Dylan Wells and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 8/20/2024

Up and down the ballot, women running for office this year are talking about their own reproductive health, sharing their experiences with IVF, miscarriage, and abortion – topics that for years on the campaign trail were considered, at best, uncouth and, at worst, potentially damaging. But after the Supreme Court reversed abortion protections two years ago, that calculus has changed. Democrats in particular hope candidates speaking about their personal experiences will help them connect with voters.

Sen. Ted Cruz’s Campaign Says It Will Return Tens of Thousands in Illegal Donations

San Antonio Current – Sanford Nowlin | Published: 8/14/2024

The treasurer of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s reelection campaign confirmed in a letter to the FEC that it took 43 illegal donations during the second quarter and is now taking steps to refund them. In the letter, Ted Cruz for Senate Treasurer Cabell Hobbs also promised the campaign would look into contributions made by a pair of unregistered organizations and also refund them in 30 days if they were “not made with federally permissible funds.”

Harris and Trump Shield Their Big Campaign Fund-Raisers from the Public

Seattle Times – Theodore Schleifer (New York Times) | Published: 8/20/2024

American voters have less knowledge about the people helping the 2024 presidential candidates raise money than they have had in any election in 20 years. That is because, for the first time in modern presidential fundraising, neither the Democratic nor the Republican nominee has disclosed the names of so-called bundlers, the people who amass large financial contributions for presidential campaigns and, in the eyes of transparency advocates, wield significant power in campaigns and presidential administrations.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Alaska Legislative Ethics Committee to Consider Reforms After Identity of a Complainant Was Exposed Online

Anchorage Daily News – Iris Samuels | Published: 8/19/2024

Alaska’s legislative ethics committee will consider new state laws after an individual who filed a complaint against a lawmaker said his identity was revealed online, leading to derogatory comments from one of the lawmaker’s supporters. Ivan Hodes said he filed a complaint against Rep. David Eastman alleging Eastman had violated laws prohibiting legislators from accepting campaign contributions during the legislative session. Hodes said that one of Eastman’s supporters posted a screenshot of the complaint form, including Hodes’ name.

Arizona – A Desperate Kennedy Campaign, and the Mystery of 110,000 Signatures

DNyuz – Rebecca Davis O’Brien (New York Times) | Published: 8/20/2024

A longtime friend of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent candidate for president, delivered boxes carrying 110,000 signatures to election officials in Arizona, to secure ballot access in a critical battleground state. A vast majority of those signatures were not gathered by local volunteers, or by paid canvassers working for the campaign. Instead, they came from a super PAC backing Kennedy that gathered signatures in Arizona months ago but set them aside after their efforts prompted legal challenges. Coordination between super PACs and campaign committees is banned under federal law.

Arizona – Kari Lake Promising Donors Extravagant Matches for Campaign Contributions. Does It Happen?

MSN – Laura Gersony (Arizona Republic) | Published: 8/19/2024

U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake is part of a group of candidates who this year are making promises of donation-matching that are even more sensational than the industry norm, and likely are not materializing, according to people who work in the fundraising industry and a review of records. Lake is one of several candidates tied to a fundraising firm whose campaigns have leaned on digitally delivered claims hey will boost a donation’s “impact” by massive multipliers.

Arizona – Apache County Attorney, School Superintendent Indicted on Corruption Charges

MSN – Robert Anglen and Elena Santa Cruz (Arizona Republic) | Published: 8/20/2024

The Apache County attorney and the school superintendent were indicted on public corruption charges, including misuse of public money and conflicts-of-interest. Michael Whiting and his wife, Joyclynn Whiting, are accused of improperly using their offices for political and personal gain. An investigation by the Arizona Republic found Michael Whiting took anti-bullying campaign materials paid for by taxpayers on overseas trips to further his relationship with a Norwegian popstar named Dagny. The indictment accuses Michael Whiting of tapping county attorney funds to purchase campaign material for his wife.

California – Campaign Contribution Limits for West Covina City Council Candidates Upheld

Courthouse News Service – Michael Gennaro | Published: 8/16/2024

A federal judge upheld an ordinance in the Southern California city of West Covina that limits contributions to city council candidates to $500 per year. The plaintiff, council candidate Rambod Sotoodeh, said the ordinance “significantly limited” his ability to run an effective campaign. U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald ruled the city satisfied its burden in showing a “sufficiently important governmental interest” in the contribution limit.

California – Do Outgoing Legislators ‘Shop’ for Lobbying Jobs in Final Weeks of the Session?

MSN – Ryan Sabalow (CalMatters) | Published: 8/15/2024

A review of the 180 California lawmakers who left office since 2012 reveals around 40 of them registered as lobbyists, worked as political consultants, or took executive-level jobs with companies or organizations actively lobbying at the Capitol. Experts say the prospect of current lawmakers’ job hunting as they are voting on bills raises concerns their future employers could influence their votes in the final weeks of the session. There are no requirements for legislators to disclose if they are negotiating or have a new employment agreement with an outside organization trying to influence state polic

California – Local News Is Dying, but Not in San Francisco

Spokane Spokesman-Review – Eli Tan (New York Times) | Published: 8/16/2024

News deserts are growing across the country, and over half of counties in the United States now have just one or no remaining news outlet. But in San Francisco, local news is seeing a resurgence thanks to a willingness to experiment. Half-century-old neighborhood news organizations are becoming nonprofits. Others are banking on the help of wealthy supporters. As local news driven by advertising revenue declines, news sites are relying on subscriptions to fill in the gaps.

District of Columbia – D.C. Council to Investigate White Amid Bribery Allegations, Consider Expulsion

MSN – Meagan Flynn and Michael Brice-Saddler (Washington Post) | Published: 8/19/2024

District of Columbia Council member Trayon White Sr. is accused by federal prosecutors of agreeing to accept a total of $156,000 in cash and kickbacks this summer in exchange for using his influence and position on the council to try to help a pair of companies lock down lucrative city contracts involving violence prevention. The allegations threaten White’s political future months before he was expected to coast to a third term, while adding another chapter to the District of Columbia’s annals of alleged corruption or misdeeds.

Florida – Florida Supreme Court Allows for Ballot Language Abortion-Rights Activists Fought

MSN – Arek Sarkissian (Politico) | Published: 8/21/2024

The Florida Supreme Court rejected a request to strike a financial statement tied to a ballot initiative seeking to expand abortion access after that statement was revised with the help of anti-abortion advocates. Financial impact statements rarely see much attention as a ballot initiative moves toward Election Day. But the stakes around Amendment 4 are higher than other measures. It seeks to abolish a ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy that Republicans approved last year.

Florida – A Lobbyist Paid for City’s $594 Supper. Then Came the Warning about Broward’s Gift Prohibitions.

NewsBreak – Lisa Huriash (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) | Published: 8/16/2024

A paid lobbyist paid for a $594 meal for Tamarac city leaders during an excursion to Washington, D.C., a reminder of how elected officials must stay vigilant about the limits on accepting gifts, according to the Broward Office of the Inspector General. The findings were outlined in a report that shows the city’s lobbyist, Valerie Gelnovatch-Massolo of The Ferguson Group, arranged a nine-person dinner on March 29, 2023. The inspector general noted how Broward’s elected officials should be mindful of the ethics code, which prohibits accepting any gift with a value that exceeds five dollars from a lobbyist, vendor, or contractor.

Florida – Sarasota City Commission Votes Down Ordinance for Formal Lobbying Rules

Yahoo News – Christian Casale (Sarasota Herald-Tribune) | Published: 8/19/2024

A proposed ordinance to establish formal lobbying rules in Sarasota failed a city commission vote. A majority of commissioners argued the proposal entailed too much regulation for an issue they did not consider to be a big problem. Regulation of lobbying by corporate interests has been pushed by Commissioner Erik Arroyo. He said while many people who present their views to the commission are citizens genuinely concerned about their community, there remains uncertainty about those who might represent “interests beyond the common welfare.”

Georgia – This Georgia Republican Defied Trump. Now He’s Fighting a Defamation Suit.

DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 8/16/2024

Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, has been forced to spend $500,000 defending himself in court for having stood up to Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The only way to spare himself from the defamation lawsuit he has been fighting, he and his lawyer say, would be to lie. The lawsuit centers on a video that purported to show election fraud in Georgia. Multiple news media outlets and the secretary of state’s office have debunked the claims of election fraud made in the presentation to legislators.

Georgia – State Supreme Court Rules Open Records Act Applies to Private Contractors Working for Governments

Georgia Recorder – Jill Nolin | Published: 8/14/2024

A Georgia Supreme Court’s decision reversing a lower court’s ruling that a private contractor was exempt from the state Open Records Act is being hailed as a win for open government. The court ruled unanimously that a private contractor working for a public entity is still subject to the law and can be sent requests for public records they may possess.

Hawaii – A Maui County Appointee Oversaw Grants to Nonprofits Tied to Her Family Members

Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 8/15/2024

Two nonprofits with family ties to Luana Mahi, an economic development director for Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, won more than $1 million in county grants overseen by Mahi since she was appointed in 2023. Mahi’s husband was paid directly under a county grant for a watershed project. A company owned by her son was hired to manage that grant. Another one of her son’s nonprofits got a $44,000 grant from the county to build a “Maui Wall of Fame” now in the Kahului Airport.

Kentucky – ‘Deeply Uncomfortable & Increasingly Unsafe:’ Women allege harassment by KY lawmaker

Yahoo News – Austin Horn and Alex Acquisto (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 9/20/2024

Three more women have come forward to detail specific instances of alleged sexual harassment by state Rep. Daniel Grossberg, even as Kentucky officials continue to investigate previous allegations of improper interactions. The three women, all involved in the political scene in Frankfort, contacted the Lexington Herald-Leader after its initial story where other women said Grossberg sent them unwanted “creepy” and “weird” text messages they said crossed ethical lines.

New Jersey – After Ex-N.J. Mayor’s Indictment, City Revising Rules That Could Help Pay for Her Defense

MSN – Matthew Enuco (New Jersey Advance Media) | Published: 8/16/2024

Two months after the former mayor of Camden was indicted in a sweeping corruption case, the city is revising rules that could help pay for her legal expenses. The city council gave initial approval to changes that lifts a fixed cap on legal expenses and offers legal defenses to former employees and officials. The change also specifically notes criminal matters. Former Mayor Dana Redd was indicted on racketeering charges along with George Norcross III, a Democratic powerbroker, his brother, and two others.

New Jersey – Feds Investigate Property Flip Involving Two New Jersey State Senators

Yahoo News – Matt Friedman (Politico) | Published: 8/15/2024

Federal authorities are investigating a real estate deal involving two state senators in New Jersey who bought public land and then flipped it for seven times the original price. One of the companies that flipped the property, Nova Investments, is listed as a major source of income by state Sen. Michael Testa on his financial disclosure forms. Another company, Dotia Investments, was registered by state Sen. Doug Steinhardt, and is listed on his financial disclosure form. He was not a senator at the time of the purchase but was when the property was sold.

New York – Eric Adams and His Campaign Receive Subpoenas in Federal Investigation

DNyuz – William Rashbaum and Dana Rubinstein (New York Times) | Published: 8/15/2024

Federal prosecutors investigating New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his 2021 campaign have served a new round of grand jury subpoenas in their long-running corruption inquiry, issuing them to Adams himself, to City Hall, and to his election committee. The subpoenas contain similar language and seek information in a number of areas, including travel by the mayor, his aides and others, as well as campaign fundraising.

New York – Letitia James Fights to Preserve Trump’s Penalty of Over $450 Million

DNyuz – Kate Christobek and Ben Protess (New York Times) | Published: 8/21/2024

The New York attorney general’s office urged a state appellate court to uphold a more than $450 million civil fraud judgement against Donald Trump, arguing the punishment was needed to protect “the integrity of the marketplace.” Attorney General Letitia James defended a judge’s February ruling that Trump conspired to inflate the value of his properties to receive favorable loans and other financial benefits. Trump, the attorney general’s office has argued, exaggerated his net worth by as much as $2.2 billion in any given year.

North Carolina – More Questions for Robinson. Store Says Reported Campaign Purchases Never Happened.

Carolina Public Press – Sarah Michels | Published: 8/21/2024

During North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s 2020 campaign, he claimed to spend $2,374 at Lake Outfitters for “campaign clothes and accessories.” The five transactions, recorded on his expenditure reports with the State Board of Elections, spanned eight months.  The owners of Lake Gaston Outfitters, located at the recorded address, say those purchases never happened. “… We sell kayaks. We wouldn’t have anything here in our store that he would want,” said the owner, Dave Blodgett. The transactions are part of a larger investigation into Robinson’s 2020 campaign for lieutenant governor.

North Dakota – Holmberg Case Causes North Dakota Lawmakers to Review Travel Policies

North Dakota Monitor – Mary Steurer | Published: 8/12/2024

Former North Dakota Sen. Ray Holmberg’s guilty plea on a charge related to child sex tourism may prompt a review of rules governing lawmaker travel, House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Lefor said. Holmberg confessed in federal court to taking several trips to Prague with the intent to pay for sexual contact with children. Some of those visits line up with cultural exchange trips funded by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and organized by the North Dakota School Boards Association. Travel records even suggest some of his flight tickets to Prague were paid for with state money.

Ohio – Ohio Ballot Board OKs Language for Redistricting Issue; Backers Say It Will Deceive Voters

Yahoo News – Jessie Balmert (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 8/16/2024

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office proposed loaded ballot language for the redistricting reform measure, including references to manipulating the boundaries of legislative districts and repealing constitutional protections against gerrymandering. The proposed ballot language for state Issue 1 paints a picture of a measure that encourages rather than curbs gerrymandering, defined as drawing lines to unfairly favor one political party over another.

Oregon – Portland Commissioner Rene Gonzalez Spent Thousands in City Funds to Polish Wikipedia Page

MSN – Shane Dixon Kavanaugh (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 8/9/2024

Rene Gonzalez, the Portland city commissioner and mayoral candidate, recently paid $6,400 to spruce up his profile on Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia maintained by volunteer editors. He did so using taxpayer dollars. Gonzalez’s office at City Hall hired a New York-based company to develop a handful of requested edits to the Wikipedia page and train a “designee” on the submission process.

Rhode Island – RI Prisons Director Agrees to Pay Penalty After Failing to Disclose Out-of-State Travel

MSN – Eli Sherman (WPRI) | Published: 8/20/2024

Rhode Island Department of Corrections Director Wayne Salisbury agreed to pay a $200 penalty after failing to disclose out-of-state travel paid for by third parties as required by law. The ethics investigation was launched after Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers President Richard Ferruccio filed a complaint in June. The investigation found Salisbury omitted the out-of-state travel and did not amend the filings until after the media reached out with questions.

Texas – Ken Paxton Sues to Shut Down Houston Immigration Nonprofit for Posts Criticizing Trump, Abbott

MSN – Benjamin Wermund (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 8/15/2024

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is trying to shut down an immigrants rights group in Houston, alleging it is “systematically” flouting nonprofit rules. It is the latest attempt by the attorney general to shutter groups aiding immigrants in Texas. But the drive against FIEL Houston takes a new tact, arguing the group has run afoul of federal rules governing how far nonprofits can go in seeking to influence legislation, and barring certain nonprofits from backing political candidates.

Utah – Utah Senate, House Approve Proposal to Put Question to Voters on Ballot-Initiative Process

KSL – Tim Vandenack | Published: 8/21/2024

The Utah Senate and House passed a measure to put a constitutional amendment proposal to voters that, if passed, would give lawmakers leeway to revise and change citizen-led ballot initiatives. Republican leaders say the change is key in checking the ability of special interest groups to insert language in ballot questions meant to benefit them. Critics see the move as an attempted power grab by Republican lawmakers and a blow to the authority of citizens to pursue ballot initiatives.

Virginia – Chesapeake Mayor Asked City Attorney to ‘Look Into’ Stepbrother’s Personal Legal Issue

WHRO – Ryan Murphy | Published: 8/15/2024

In 2022, Chesapeake Mayor Rick West got an email from his stepbrother asking for a favor. He wondered if the mayor could have city attorneys look into a legal issue he ran into while building on a property in Georgia. “I have wasted a pile of money already … and do not want to waste another [$3,000 to $10,000] dollars to find out there is nothing we can do legally,” Jonathan West wrote. Rick West took his stepbrother’s request to then-City Attorney Jay Stroman. Ethics experts say what West did likely was not illegal under Virginia’s lax ethics laws for public officials, but it does raise red flags.

National/Federal

Hunter Biden Sought State Department Help for Ukrainian Company

DNyuz – Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) | Published: 8/13/2024

Hunter Biden sought assistance from the U.S. government for a potentially lucrative energy project in Italy while his father was vice president, according to records and interviews. The records, which the Biden administration had withheld for years, indicate Hunter Biden wrote at least one letter to the U.S. ambassador to Italy in 2016 seeking assistance for the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, where he was a board member. Embassy officials appear to have been uneasy with the request from the son of the sitting vice president on behalf of a foreign company.

Trump Gambles on Outside Groups to Finance Voter Outreach Efforts

DNyuz – Theodore Schleifer (New York Times) | Published: 8/14/2024

The Republican campaign for president is quietly being remade by new federal guidelines that empower big-money groups and threaten to undermine party control well beyond the 2024 election. Donald Trump’s team has enlisted some of these groups to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to knock on hundreds of thousands of doors across the country, saving the campaign significant money in the process. This transformation is a consequence of a decision by the FEC earlier this year that allows campaigns to coordinate their canvassing efforts with outside groups like super PACs.

Arizona and Missouri Greenlight Abortion Rights Amendments

MSN – Sandhya Raman (Roll Call) | Published: 8/13/2024

Voters in at least eight states will vote on ballot measures related to abortion access in November after officials in Arizona and Missouri certified proposed amendments in the states. The measures are part of a strategy from abortion rights advocates who see direct voting as a way to elevate the issue and circumvent legislative gridlock on abortion. All seven state ballot measures considered following the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision have favored the side of abortion rights.

How Elon Musk Is Using His Wealth, Reach to Support Trump’s Campaign

MSN – Julia Shapiro and Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 8/15/2024

Elon Musk is tapping into his wealth and the power of his social platform X to help sway the election toward Donald Trump, spurring controversy along the way. After years of drifting toward the political right, the billionaire owner of Tesla and SpaceX is throwing his fortune behind a pro-Trump super PAC and has inundated X, which he purchased in 2022, with content criticizing Democrats and Vice President Harris. “The big difference [between Musk and other wealthy donors] is that he is himself a sort of Trump-esque figure,” said Sarah Bryner, director of research and strategy at OpenSecrets.

Man Who Violently Fought Cops Gets 2nd-Longest Jan. 6 Sentence: 20 years

MSN – Tom Jackman (Washington Post) | Published: 8/9/2024

David Dempsey came to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, well-prepared to commit violence. He wore a bulletproof tactical vest, a black helmet, and a gaiter to obscure most of his face. Dempsey repeatedly attacked police for more than an hour, throwing poles and deploying bear spray at the line of officers protecting the Capitol. He used a crutch to smash an officer’s head, giving him a concussion. A judge recently sentenced Dempsey to 20 years in prison, the second-longest sentence of the approximately 950 defendants sentenced so far.

Experts Warn of Election Disruptions After Trump Says Campaign Was Hacked

MSN – Abbie Cheeseman and Joseph Menn (Washington Post) | Published: 8/11/2024

Analysts and intelligence experts warned that wider efforts may be underway by foreign powers to disrupt the U.S. presidential election, after the Trump campaign said it believed its email systems had been breached by hackers working for Iran. So far, two Democratic House members who have served on intelligence and security committees have called for briefings and for declassification of information related to the possible foreign interference in the election.

Empty Chairs at Candidate Debates a Sign of These Very Partisan Times

MSN – Karin Brulliard (Washington Post) | Published: 8/12/2024

Seeing candidates standing side-by-side is getting rarer as more contenders opt out of debates or forums with their opponents. Strategists say the shift reflects not just an erosion of a ritual long central to American elections and democracy, but also a divided political landscape where sparring takes place online and candidates prioritize attention for supporters instead of the broader community.

Inside Project 2025’s Secret Training Videos

MSN – Andy Kroll (ProPublica) and Nick Surgery (Documented) | Published: 8/10/2024

Project 2025, the policy agenda for a right-wing presidential administration, has lost its director and faced criticism from both Democratics and Donald Trump. But Project 2025’s plan to train an army of political appointees who could battle against the so-called deep state government bureaucracy on behalf of a future Trump administration remains on track. One centerpiece of that program is dozens of videos created for Project 2025’s Presidential Administration Academy. Some of the content is routine advice any incoming political appointee might be told. Other segments offer guidance on radically changing how the federal government works and what it does.

Pro-Israel PAC Notches Striking Electoral Victories with Bush, Bowman Defeats

MSN – Patrick Svitek (Washington Post) | Published: 8/8/2024

After losing reelection in her Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush did not hesitate to direct supporters to the alleged culprit. “AIPAC, I’m coming to tear your kingdom down,” a defiant Bush said, referencing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, whose super PAC spent at least $8.6 million to defeat Bush, helping make the race the second-most expensive House primary of the year. Her loss came weeks after the super PAC, United Democracy Project, helped unseat Rep. Jamaal Bowman.

Want to Speed Up a Road or Transit Project? Just Host a Political Convention

MSN – Jeff McMurray (Associated Press) | Published: 8/12/2014

Chicago officials planned to reopen an elevated train station near the United Center more than four years ago, but numerous delays left some wondering if it ever would happen. Then the Democratic National Committee picked the city to host its convention. Construction crews scrambled to finish work before delegates arrived, with most of the high-profile events set for less than a half mile away. Cities might factor in the ability to host major events when prioritizing infrastructure upgrades, but rarely do they embark on big-ticket projects just to land a political convention or woo its delegates. Speeding up construction is another matter.

Biggest Lobbying Interests Buck Trend with Higher 2024 Spending

MSN – Caitlin Reilly (Roll Call) | Published: 8/13/2024

Trade groups and companies responsible for this year’s largest lobbying expenditures so far upped the ante in the first half of 2024 compared to a year earlier, defying expectations for an election year slump. K Street’s top 10 clients shelled out $162.3 million through June, up 13 percent from the first half of 2023. Part of that was due to heavy legislative activity during the first quarter, which saw enactment of two big spending packages and House passage of a $79 billion tax bill that got hung up in the Senate.

Feds Ask Ted Cruz’s Campaign to Explain Dozens of Illegal Donations It Received

San Antonio Current – Sanford Nowlin | Published: 8/8/2024

The FEC wants U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz to explain or return tens of thousands of dollars in recent campaign contributions that appear to violate legal limits. Although individuals are prohibited under federal law from giving more than $3,300 to a candidate’s election committee, a letter from the FEC raises concerns that 45 Cruz campaign donors blew past that limit during the second quarter, some by thousands of dollars. The inquiry comes as Cruz faces scrutiny over a deal to distribute his podcast which has so far pumped $786,000 in corporate dollars into a super PAC focused on his reelection.

How a Small Group of Nuns in Rural Kansas Vex Big Companies with Their Investment Activism

Yahoo Finance – Tiffany Stanley (Associated Press) | Published: 8/15/2024

Among corporate America’s most persistent shareholder activists are 80 nuns in a monastery outside Kansas City. The Benedictine sisters of Mount St. Scholastica have taken on the likes of Google, Target, and Citigroup, calling on major companies to do everything from Artificial Intelligence oversight to measuring pesticides to respecting the rights of Indigenous people.

Elections Officials Battle a Deluge of Disinformation

Yahoo News – Tiffany Hsu (New York Times) | Published: 8/12/2024

Increasingly, elections officials must multitask as defenders against disinformation and its consequences. They are debunking claims that masses of dead people are contaminating the voting pool or that mail-in balloting is susceptible to fraud. In the past year, they have been flooded with demands for details about their employees and subjected to threats of bombings and break-ins. The stress has pushed many public servants to resign or retire. The remaining officials are once again marshaling their limited resources to try to reach people unmoved by earlier efforts to debunk and limit persistent rumors.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama Legislator Wants to Limit Power of Political Parties Regarding Campaign Contributions

Alabama Reflector – Ralph Chapoco | Published: 8/13/2024

Alabama Rep. Phillip Pettus prefiled a bill for the coming legislative session that would prohibit political parties from disqualifying candidates for elected office based solely on the campaign contributions they receive from specific people or organizations. The legislation stems from a rule that the Alabama Republican Party adopted in August 2023 that prohibits GOP candidates for superintendent or school board from accepting campaign contributions from the Alabama Education Association, an organization that represents teachers in the state.

Alabama – House Representative Plans to Refile Bill Overhauling Alabama’s Ethics Code

Alabama Reflector – Alander Rocha | Published: 8/13/2024

Rep. Matt Simpson plans to revive a proposal to overhaul the state’s ethics laws. Simpson said he will reintroduce the legislation in the 2025 session, after a bill he filed last year failed to pass. The bill faced significant opposition, particularly from the Alabama Ethics Commission and the attorney general’s office.

Alaska – How Alaska Wound Up with No Limits on Campaign Donations – and How Some Hope to Restore Them

Alaska Public Media – Eric Stone | Published: 8/8/2024

Alaska used to have some of the strictest campaign spending laws in the country. Since 2021, thanks to a court decision, Alaska has been one of only about a dozen states with no limits on contributions from individuals. A ballot initiative campaign is underway to set limits of $2,000 per candidate per election cycle, with higher limits for group donations and contributions to a gubernatorial ticket.

California – Nonprofit Linked to OC Supervisor’s Daughter Says It Won’t Refund $2.2M in Taxpayer Funds Demanded by County

MSN – Nick Gerda (LAist) | Published: 8/8/2024

A nonprofit group says it is refusing a demand by Orange County officials to refund $2.2 million that Supervisor Andrew Do directed to the organization outside of the public’s view. Do’s daughter, Rhiannon Do, led the group, Viet America Society (VAS), off and on over the time that money was awarded. County officials determined VAS failed to show it did the work it was paid to do. They demanded a full refund by August 26 for two contracts meant to feed needy residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

California – State Sting Operation Busts 11 Contractors Making Bids Without a License in Sacramento County

MSN – Vincent Medina (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 8/5/2024

An undercover sting operation in Elk Grove found 11 unlicensed contractors placing bids, according to the Contractors State License Board.  The contractors were caught making bids between $2,100 and $17,500, exceeding the $500 threshold that requires a contractor’s license in California.

Colorado – Former Colorado Official Found Guilty for Role in Election Equipment Tampering

MSN – Yvonne Winget Sanchez and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 8/12/2024

A Colorado jury found a former county election official guilty of seven charges connected to allowing a purported computer expert to copy election data from her office as Donald Trump and his allies spread false claims that the 2020 election was stolen and searched for evidence to prove it. Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk, was found guilty on seven of 10 charges. Peters is one of the few officials to face consequences for using their positions in local elections offices to try to prove false claims that took root after Trump’s defeat.

Delaware – Emails Show Delaware Lieutenant Governor’s Staff Engaged in Campaign Matters During Business Hours

MSN – Randall Chase (Associated Press) | Published: 8/14/2024

Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s office staff was in regular communication last year with her husband and other people involved in her campaign for Delaware governor and worked during office hours to help facilitate the use of campaign funds, according to emails. The emails show Hall-Long enlisted her office staff, working with her husband, to help with matters bearing little if any relevance to her role as lieutenant governor. Under Delaware law, state employees are prohibited from engaging in any political activity during work hours. As an elected official, Hall-Long is exempt from that provision, but her office staff is not.

Florida – A Court Will Weigh ‘Legislative Privilege’ and Whether Florida Legislators Should Testify in a Redistricting Case

WMNF – Jim Saunders (News Service of Florida) | Published: 8/13/2024

In a potentially far-reaching case, an appeals court said it will hear arguments in a dispute about whether Florida lawmakers should be shielded from testifying in lawsuits. The House and Senate contend a concept known as “legislative privilege” shields lawmakers from having to testify in civil lawsuits. Ultimately, the House and Senate want to take the issue to the Florida Supreme Court and undo a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that allowed legislative testimony in certain circumstances.

Indiana – Seventh Circuit Orders Injunction on Indiana Campaign Finance Rule

Courthouse News Service – Dave Byrnes | Published: 8/8/2024

An appellate court panel overturned an Indiana law that limits the amount of money corporations can give to super PACs. The panel unanimously ruled to vacate an order from the lower court which barred media company Sarkes Tarzian from contributing $10,000 to the Indiana Right to Life Victory Fund, an anti-abortion PAC. The judges considered the relevant campaign finance rules inconsistent with the First Amendment and remanded the case to the lower court with instructions to enjoin it.

Kansas – Ex-Police Chief Who Led Raid on Kansas Newspaper Faces Felony Charge

MSN – Ben Brasch, Sofia Andrade, and Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) | Published: 8/13/2024

A former Kansas police chief was charged with a felony for allegedly tampering with an investigation into his raid of a small-town newspaper’s office last year. Gideon Cody faces a count of interference with a judicial process. Barry Wilkerson, a special prosecutor assigned to the case, alleged the ex-chief “induced a witness to withhold information,” according to a court filing. The search sparked outrage from press freedom advocates and other news organizations who said the raid threatened to suppress free speech.

Kentucky – Louisville Official Says She Was in the Process of Filing Ethics Complaints When Fired

MSN – Eleanor McCrary (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 8/9/2024

A senior Louisville official said she was in the process of filing two ethics complaints against members of Mayor Craig Greenberg’s administration when she was fired. Keisha Dorsey, who was the mayor’s deputy chief of staff, believes the administration may have engaged in a pattern of discriminatory behavior “based on race, gender, and age …,” according to one of the complaints.

Louisiana – Louisiana Lawmaker Who Authored Bill to Reduce Politicians’ Ethics Fines Has Racked Up Her Own

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 8/15/2024

The lawmaker who pushed through a new state law to reduce fines for candidates who do not file campaign finance reports on time has failed to submit her own paperwork properly several times over the 15 years she has been in public office. State Rep. Denise Marcelle, a Democrat, missed deadlines to turn in campaign finance reports and personal financial disclosure forms at least eight times. On six other occasions, staff for the Board of Ethics questioned whether the personal financial disclosure forms Marcelle had submitted were filled out properly.

Massachusetts – Cesar Ruiz Dissolves Latino Political Action Committee Due to Campaign Finance Violations

MSN – Jim Kinney (MassLive) | Published: 8/9/2024

Businessperson Cesar Ruiz dissolved his PAC and agreed to donate $190,000 to charity as punishment for breaking state campaign finance laws. The Latinos Leaders Now Independent Expenditure Committee and supported Latino in candidates statewide. But the committee made direct contributions last year totaling $5,500 to 13 candidates for municipal offices. Under state law, PACs that are set up like Ruiz’s cannot coordinate with campaigns and cannot contribute to them.

Michigan – Lawyer Contended Curtailing Lawmakers’ Ticket Perks Could Have ‘Destabilizing Impact’

Detroit News – Craig Mauger | Published: 8/12/2024

The Michigan Secretary of State’s office finalized guidance that concluded a strategy used by lobbyists to put sports and concert tickets in the hands of legislators was illegal. Lobbyists had been circumventing the state’s ban on gifts to public officeholders, worth more than $76, by providing tickets to lawmakers and then privately sending them letters asking for the value of the tickets over $76 to be paid back to lobbying firms.

Michigan – Michigan Lawyer Who Claimed Election Fraud Arrested after Dominion Hearing

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 8/13/2024

An attorney involved in efforts to upend the results of the 2020 election was arrested and ordered to turn herself in to authorities in Michigan as civil and criminal cases involving claims of voter fraud collided. Stefanie Lambert’s arrest came after officials had issued a bench warrant for failing to appear for a hearing in her criminal case in Michigan, where she is charged with illegally breaching voting machines, and after she came under scrutiny for the release of documents as the attorney for an ally of Donald Trump in a federal defamation case.

Mississippi – MS Sec. of State Wants to Work with AG on Campaign Finance Violations, AG Gives Nonresponse

MSN – Grant McLaughlin (Jackson Clarion Ledger) | Published: 8/11/2024

When Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson told a crowd of people at Neshoba County Fair it might be a good idea for an assistant attorney general to work in his office on campaign finance and elections fraud, it was not just a suggestion. It was a call for something to be done about the more than 20 related violations he has sent to Attorney General Lynn Fitch, whose office has not enforced campaign finance fines the secretary of state has issued and left dozens of election fraud cases unprosecuted, Watson said.

Nevada – Jury Hears Opening Arguments in Trial Against Nevada Official Accused of Killing Journalist

Yahoo News – Julia Reinstein (ABC News) | Published: 8/14/2024

Opening statements were made in the murder trial against Robert Telles, the former Clark County public administrator accused of killing journalist Jeff German in September 2022. Telles has been accused of stabbing the Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter to death outside his home after an investigation into corruption in his office destroyed his political career and marriage. German’s story detailed the alleged hostile work environment in Telles’ office.

New Jersey – New Jersey Governor to Name Former Aide the Caretaker for Bob Menendez’s Senate Seat

MSN – Matt Friedman and Daniel Han (Politico) | Published: 8/14/2024

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy plans to name his former chief of staff, who was a longtime Senate aide, as the state’s temporary replacement to the seat of disgraced U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez. Murphy will appoint George Helmy, a former staffer for Sen. Cory Booker who is now a health care executive in one of the biggest hospital systems in New Jersey, to the seat following Menendez’s resignation that takes effect August 20.

New York – Judge Denies Trump’s Recusal Bid, Rebuking Him for Claiming Harris Ties

DNyuz – Kate Christobek and Ben Protess (New York Times) | Published: 8/14/2024

The judge who oversaw Donald Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial declined for a third time to step aside from the case, rebuking the former president’s lawyers for claiming the judge had a distant yet problematic connection to Vice President Kamala Harris. Justice Juan Merchan’s decision enables him to soon decide two crucial matters that will shape Trump’s legal fate.

New York – Trash Hauler Won Coveted Garbage Pickup Rights After Donating to Mayor Adams’ Campaign

Gothamist – Liam Quigley | Published: 8/13/2024

New York City’s campaign watchdog is scrutinizing a series of donations to Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 campaign by owners and employees of a waste hauling company that later won a set of licenses from the sanitation department. Records show five employees of Royal Waste Services gave a combined $10,800 to then-candidate Adams on the same day just two weeks before Adams won the Democratic primary. The donations from the company’s employees were flagged in a draft audit of Adams’ 2021 election fund by the Campaign Finance Board.

North Carolina – Group That Took NC Legislators on Bourbon Tour Violates Ethics Rules, Complaint Says

MSN – Dan Kane and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 8/9/2024

Greater Carolina confirmed it hosted North Carolina legislators on a distillery tour in Kentucky where participants were accused of being drunk and disorderly. A complaint says the group is a “lobbying front,” providing gambling-industry officials and their lobbyists access to state lawmakers for what it calls “development events,” and using its status as a 501(c)(4) organization to avoid disclosure. The complaint says Greater Carolina violated a ban on gifts to public officials, and it is not disclosing its relationships with lobbyists involved in its events.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Makes $20 Million Deal with AG Dave Yost’s Office to Avoid HB6 Prosecution, Drop Company from Civil Lawsuits

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 8/12/2024

FirstEnergy will avoid state criminal prosecution over its starring role in the House Bill 6 bribery scandal in exchange for paying $20 million, under a deal with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office. The agreement, which follows a similar $230 million fine paid in 2021 avoid federal charges, means FirstEnergy will pay $250 million to elude criminal prosecution (plus another $100 million in expected regulatory penalties) for paying tens of millions in bribes to top state officials to secure lucrative policy priorities.

Ohio – Ohio Economic Developer JobsOhio Loans $2 Million to Company Headed by Insider

Ohio Capital Journal – Marty Schladen | Published: 8/12/2024

When JobsOhio was formed in 2011, officials placed tens of millions of from the state liquor franchise in the hands of a newly formed “private” corporation. Even though the corporation was formed by the state, its assets were placed beyond the transparency required of the public money it previously had been. It was done in the name of economic development. But critics feared it would open the door to insider dealing and possible corruption. Now, JobsOhio is granting more than $2 million in economic incentives to a company run by a man who also heads up a regional entity created by JobsOhio.

Oklahoma – Corporation Commissioners Have Accepted Thousands in Donations, Raising Ethical Questions

MSN – Kennedy Thomason (The Oklahoman) | Published: 8/9/2024

An analysis of campaign finance records filed from January 2018 to July 2024 show the state’s three Corporation Commission members have accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars combined from individuals or industries with direct links to those they are tasked with regulating. Although it is legal under state law to accept those contributions experts say it raises some ethical questions about whether certain donors may receive preferential treatment.

Texas – Inside ‘The Pond’ – CenterPoint’s Private Houston-Area Retreat Used for Lobbying Texas Politicians

MSN – Mike Morris, Amanda Drane, Neena Satija, and Eric Dexheimer (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 8/14/2024

A retreat known as “The Pond” has been a cornerstone of CenterPoint Energy’s lobbying efforts for decades, a space where the company’s lobbyists and executives can enjoy nature alongside the same Texas lawmakers who have voted to make it easier for CenterPoint to charge Houston customers more for electricity. More than 70 current or former state and local elected officials said they have visited the site, reported spending campaign funds on trips there, or were shown on the grounds in public images posted on social media, according to a media investigation.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Election Overseers Donate Thousands to Candidates

Capital Times – Andrew Bahl | Published: 8/12/2024

Despite their key decision-making roles in the elections process, members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission and the state Ethics Commission, as well as dozens of county clerks, have so far given a combined $26,000 this year to candidates, parties, and politically affiliated groups in the state and across the country. Those officials are allowed to donate, as long as they abide by the same limitations on contributions as everyone else. The intense scrutiny on elections in one of the nation’s foremost swing states has left some wondering if the rules, and Wisconsin’s system for running elections, make sense.

National/Federal

How an Elon Musk PAC Is Using Voter Data to Help Trump Beat Harris in 2024 Election

CNBC – Brian Schwartz | Published: 8/2/2024

The combination of owning a social media company that gives him an enormous platform to push his political views, and creating a PAC with effectively unlimited resources, has made Elon Musk a major force in an American presidential election. The America PAC has spent more than $800,000 on digital ads that target voters in battleground states. Many of the ads encouraged people to register to vote at America PAC’s website. The PAC’s effort to collect information from people using the idea of “voter registration” is a critical piece to its plan to make personal contact with these voters.

Hearing Set to Discuss Next Steps in Trump’s Federal Election Case

DNyuz – Alan Feurer (New York Times) | Published: 8/3/2024

The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s federal election interference case scheduled a hearing for August 16 to discuss next steps. The Supreme Court granted Trump broad immunity against criminal prosecution for acts arising from his presidency. A key element of that decision requires U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to sort through the indictment accusing Trump of plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election and decide which of its many allegations can move forward to trial and which will have to be tossed out.

Justice Thomas Failed to Reveal More Private Flights, Senator Says

DNyuz – Abbie VanSickle (New York Times) | Published: 8/5/2024

Justice Clarence Thomas failed to publicly disclose additional private travel provided by the wealthy conservative donor Harlan Crow, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said. Customs and Border Protection records revealed the justice and his wife, Virginia Thomas, took a round trip between Hawaii and New Zealand in November 2010 on Crow’s private jet. Wyden, writing to Crow’s lawyer, demanded he supply more information about the financial relationship between the two men.

Harris Decides on Tim Walz as Running Mate

MSN – John King, Jeff Zeleny, Jamie Gangel, MJ Lee, Daniel Strauss, Gregory Krieg, and Kristen Holmes (CNN) | Published: 8/6/2024

Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, elevating the former teacher and Army National Guard veteran to help lead the party’s fight to defeat Donald Trump. Walz is in his second term as governor and chairs the Democratic Governors Association. He previously served 12 years in Congress, representing a conservative-leaning rural district. Walz has delivered a handful of memorable haymakers against Republicans, especially its presidential ticket of Trump and Sen. JD Vance. Walz has referred to the duo as “weird dudes.” The phrase has stuck, becoming a central meme in the campaign.

FBI Searches Rep. Ogles’s Phone as Part of Campaign Finance Probe, Lawyer Says

MSN – Perry Stein and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 8/6/2024

FBI agents used a court order to search and seize U.S. Rep. Andrew Ogles’s cellphone as part of federal campaign finance probe. A complaint stated Ogles did not include that he reportedly used a $320,000 loan to fund his 2022 campaign. He also allegedly failed to report a $700,000 line of credit that he opened in 2022. The complaint from the Campaign Legal Center alleged that, in all, Ogles’s financial report contained more than $1 million in discrepancies.

Elon Musk’s X Accused of Bias After Pro-Harris Accounts Labeled as ‘Spam’

MSN – Trisha Thadani (Washington Post) | Published: 8/7/2024

Prominent X accounts advocating for Vice President Kamala Harris have been labeled as spam and restricted in recent weeks, triggering alarm among some Democrats that Elon Musk’s social media platform is tilted in favor of his chosen candidate, Donald Trump. The recurring issues are raising questions about whether Musk’s platform is intentionally censoring the pages, or if the deep staff cuts that he made after buying the company in 2022 have left the platform ill-equipped for the surge in political speech ahead of the November election.

About Half of US State AGs Went on France Trip Sponsored by Group with Lobbyist and Corporate Funds

MSN – Geoff Mulvihill (Associated Press) | Published: 8/3/2024

Many state attorneys general traveled to France on a recent trip cosponsored by the Attorney General Alliance (AGA). The trip illuminates how corporate lawyers and lobbyists can gain access to officials who regulate their businesses with help from the AGA. Companies that have picked up the bill and sent representatives in recent years have been from the pharmaceutical, financial, and tech industries, among others.

$10M Cash Withdrawal Drove Secret Probe into Whether Trump Took Money from Egypt

MSN – Aaron Davis and Carol Leonnig (Washington Post) | Published: 8/2/2024

Five days before Donald Trump became president in January 2017, a manager at a bank branch in Cairo received an unusual letter from an organization linked to the Egyptian intelligence service. It asked the bank to “kindly withdraw” nearly $10 million from the organization’s account, all in cash. Four men arrived and carried away the bags. The discovery intensified a secret criminal investigation, with classified U.S. intelligence indicating Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi sought to give Trump $10 million to boost his 2016 presidential campaign, a Washington Post investigation found.

Without ‘Zuckerbucks,’ Limited Private Funding Available for Elections

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 8/2/2024

In 2020, a group funded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife gave $332 million to local governments to run the presidential election amid a global pandemic, prompting a Republican backlash that led to more than two dozen states banning or limiting private funding for elections. The Center for Tech and Civic Life is again awarding grants this fall but in much smaller amounts. The grants will have nowhere near the nationwide effect they did in the last presidential election but could nonetheless spark controversy.

Court Rules Against Black and Hispanic Voters in Redistricting Case

MSN – Patrick Marley and Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 8/1/2024

A federal appeals court made it harder for Black and Hispanic voters to form coalitions to elect the candidates they prefer in three southern states, overruling long-standing precedents. For decades, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held the Voting Rights Act allows voting districts that give Black and Hispanic voters the ability to elect candidates of their choice when they have common interests and can form coalitions.

Trump Took a Private Flight with Project 2025 Leader in 2022

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 8/7/2024

Donald Trump has denied knowing about the Project 2025 policy blueprint or the people behind it. But in April 2022, Trump shared a private flight with Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. They flew together to a Heritage conference where Trump delivered a keynote address that gestured to the organization’s forthcoming policy proposals. The flight and Trump’s speech cut against the former president’s efforts to distance himself from Project 2025 once Democrats turned some of its most controversial proposals into a frequent campaign attack.

Drag Queens Unite to Form Political Action Committee Ahead of 2024 Election

OpenSecrets – Albert Sema Jr. | Published: 7/26/2024

A new political committee is bringing together some of the biggest names in drag to push back against anti-LGBTQ legislation and politicians. As a hybrid PAC, Drag PAC can make limited donations to politicians from one account but raise and spend unlimited money to make independent expenditures from another. FEC filings show that the PAC has raised more than $140,000 so far, with long-time Democratic donor Dylan Bulkeley-Krane contributing $60,000 since March.

Conway Registers as Lobbyist for Ukrainian Billionaire with Past Ties to Trump

Yahoo News – Soo Rin Kim, Lalee Ibssa, and Kelsey Walsh (ABC News) | Published: 8/4/2024

Former Trump administration official Kellyanne Conway registered as a foreign agent representing Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk’s foundation. In 2015, the Ukrainian steel magnate donated $150,000 to Donald Trump’s charitable organization to book the then-presidential candidate to speak at a conference in Kyiv. The donation was later reportedly investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Arizona Judges Allow More Access to Voting, Much to Republicans’ Dismay

KAWC – Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) | Published: 8/3/2024

Arizonans who lack proof of citizenship can again sign up to vote in this year’s presidential and congressional races. A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals restored an order issued last year by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton who concluded federal law specifically allowed people to register to vote in federal elections without the same kind of proof that Arizona requires of those wanting to cast ballots in state or local elections.

Arizona – Arizona Grand Jurors Discussed Indicting Trump, but Prosecutors Urged Them Not To

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 8/6/2024

An Arizona grand jury that indicted 18 allies of Donald Trump for their role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election had expressed interest in possible charges against the former president, according to a legal motion. It is unclear how many of the jurors were in favor of indicting the former president, who by then had been federally charged for his attempts to subvert Joe Biden’s win in a case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. The interest prompted the Arizona case’s lead prosecutor to give a PowerPoint presentation and request that jurors not indict Trump, according to the motion.

California – What Does a California Lobbyist Do?

Comstock’s Magazine – Laurie Lauletta-Boshart | Published: 8/5/2024

Lobbyists who spend their day impacting legislation and regulatory decisions in California work long, frenetic days and no two look alike. They come from a myriad of different backgrounds: law, political science, government affairs, and communications, with outliers in engineering, psychology, and education. But most share similar character traits: good analytical, networking, relationship, and communication skills, with a side of political savvy and a desire to get the best possible outcome for their clients, even when politics prevail.

California – SF Political Group That Bankrolled DA Recall on Hook for $54K Ethics Fine

Mission Local – Joe Rivano Barros | Published: 8/5/2024

The San Francisco Ethics Commission will consider levying a $53,916 fine against the powerful political group Neighbors for a Better San Francisco Advocacy and its president, Jay Cheng. Ina negotiated stipulation, both the Ethics Commission and Cheng agreed the group failed to disclose payments it made to a campaign spokesperson who was working to recall then-District Attorney Chesa Boudin in 2021 and 2022.

California – Govern for California, Group Under Investigation by State, Bundling Donations to SF Candidates

Mission Local – Joe Rivano Barros | Published: 8/6/2024

In San Francisco, supervisor races have strict $500 contribution limits per donor. But a nonprofit called Govern for California, which has historically financed state races, has employed eight of its different chapters to give $500 each to six supervisor candidates and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. Each of the candidates has collectively received $4,000 from the group’s chapters. Govern for California is currently being investigated by the California Fair Political Practices Commission after a media investigation into its use of local chapters as “force multipliers” to influence politics.

California – County Demands Refund of Millions OC Supervisor Awarded to His Daughter’s Group

MSN – Nick Gerda (LAist) | Published: 8/2/2024

Orange County officials are demanding the refund of millions of dollars in tax dollars that county Supervisor Andrew Do gave to a nonprofit linked to his daughter, saying Viet America Society (VAS) failed to show it did the work it was paid to do. The repayment demands come after the nonprofit failed to meet a deadline to submit an audit, which was supposed to answer how the money was spent. VAS fired the auditors it hired for the work the day after those auditors said they would find the group failed to follow requirements to track what it did with the money.

California – LA Council Member Kevin de Leon’s Ballot Measure Shell Game

MSN – Will McCarthy (Politico) | Published: 8/5/2024

Los Angeles City Councilperson Kevin de León is playing a shell game with three different campaign accounts as he fights for his political life. He moved $550,000 from an account created to back a 2026 run for lieutenant governor to a newly formed Kevin de León Believing in a Better California Ballot Measure Committee. It’s all likely designed to help him win a tough race for another term on the city council. Unlike with his campaign fund, de León can raise and spend from his ballot measure committee with few constraints.

California – California Lawmakers Got Ticket Freebies as They Cracked Down on Ticketmaster’s Taylor Swift Debacle

MSN – Lara Korte (Politico) | Published: 8/5/2024

An investigation by Politico found 66 state lawmakers in California received more than $30,000 total worth of free tickets last year. The giveaways included entrance to Disneyland, passes to a country music festival, and San Francisco 49ers seats. The gifts came the same year some lawmakers mounted bids to loosen the power of the ticketing giant Ticketmaster and other elected officials sought to limit third-party resellers like StubHub.

California – Ex-L.A. Sheriff’s Corruption Squad Targeted Kuehl. Now State Has Dropped the Case

Yahoo News – Keri Blakinger (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/7/2024

Two years after Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies showed up for an early morning raid on former county Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s home, the investigation is officially over and there will be no criminal charges. Instead, a judge approved an agreement in which the California Department of Justice said there was a “lack of evidence of wrongdoing.” The department had taken over the politically charged investigation originally launched by then-Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s controversial public corruption squad.

Colorado – Divided Appeals Court Strikes Down Campaign Disclosure Requirement in Colorado Law

Colorado Politics – Michael Karlik | Published: 8/1/2024

Colorado’s second-highest court said the state’s requirement that ballot issue advocacy groups disclose the name of their legal representative on their election communications violates the First Amendment. A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals believed there was no material benefit to the public from knowing who the registered agents are for groups that advocate for or against ballot measures. Judge Jerry Jones, writing for the majority, noted Colorado is the only state with such a requirement in its campaign finance laws.

District of Columbia – D.C. Buildings Official Resigns After Probe Finds She Had 2nd Full-Time Job

MSN – Maegan Flynn (Washington Post) | Published: 8/7/2024

A top official at the District of Columbia Department of Buildings resigned after an investigation found she was secretly working a separate full-time private-sector job on her city “telework” days, violations that resulted in a $25,000 fine from the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability. The official, Deputy Director Caroline Lian, is a Falls Church City Council member and allegedly performed council business when she should have been working for the District of Columbia.

Florida – Miami Ballot Measures Propose New, More Robust Inspector General’s Office

Yahoo News – Catherine Odom (Miami Herald) | Published: 8/7/2024

Miami voters will decide if they want to do away with the auditor general’s office and install a new, more powerful watchdog in its place. The new office would be tasked with investigating legal and ethical violations by city employees, agencies with ties to the city, and candidates running for office in Miami. The office could initiate these investigations itself and would be required to report any wrongdoing it finds to the appropriate authorities, city Commissioner Manolo Reyes said.

Georgia – Federal Election Commission Fines Georgia Republicans for Illegal Campaign Coordinating

MSN – Dave Williams (Columbus Ledger-Inquirer) | Published: 8/6/2024

The FEC fined the Georgia Republican Party $14,500 for failing to report a contribution from a nonprofit during the 2021 U.S. Senate runoff elections. The fine settled a complaint targeting an in-kind contribution the group True the Vote made to the state GOP. In this case, True the Vote and the state Republican Party collaborated on election-related activities, including challenging voter eligibility and monitoring drop boxes, and failed to report those activities.

Georgia – Georgia Election Board Clears County Officials to Delay Vote Certification with Information Demands

Yahoo News – Stanley Dunlap (Georgia Recorder) | Published: 8/7/2024

The Georgia State Election Board pushed through new election rules that have sparked fierce debates over giving county officials greater authority to refuse to certify voter tallies. Today, certification by local election boards is considered an administrative task that does not allow members to delay as they investigate results provided to them by county officials. The new process could delay the certification of a Georgia election in a large county if a single board member called for an investigation into equipment or administration of the vote.

Hawaii – Hawaii Carpenters Union PACs Are Training Candidates to Run for Office

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair and Blaze Lovell | Published: 8/6/2024

A political organization with connections to the local construction industry has found a new tool to help candidates get elected: train them. Over the past two election cycles, four PACs with ties to the Hawaii Carpenters Union have spent more than $70,000 to instruct 17 people in running for office. Several of the candidates running for office this year praised the program, crediting it with teaching the basics of campaigning such as running phone banks, mailing fliers, and improving public speaking. The training is done through in-kind contributions.

Louisiana – Making Room for Landry’s Expanded Ethics Board Requires a Costly Upgrade

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 8/8/2024

The Louisiana Board of Ethics expects the state will have to spend $50,000 to more than $100,000 to accommodate four more board members in its meeting room in Baton Rouge.  In January, the ethics board will grow from 11 to 15 members at the behest of Gov. Jeff Landry. The governor is in an ongoing dispute with current board members over his failure to disclose flights he took on a campaign donor’s private plane while he was attorney general. “They decided to pass this legislation, but yet they want us to pay the cost,” ethics board Chairperson La Koshia Roberts.

Maryland – Fired Health Commissioner May Have Violated Baltimore’s Ethics Laws

Baltimore Banner – Lee Sanderlin and Adam Willis | Published: 8/1/2024

Baltimore’s former health commissioner, Dr. Ihuoma Emenuga, who is the subject of a criminal investigation, may have also violated city ethics laws when she was working for Chase Brexton while also a city employee. While some City Hall personnel, like council members, work outside jobs, the law makes clear that employees are prohibited from working for or receiving payment from organizations that have contracts with their agency, as Chase Brexton does with the health department. Even organizations that are in negotiations for a city contract are off limits.

Maryland – Baltimore County Executive Appointed Employee of Firefighter Who Received Secret Settlement [from] Ethics Commission

MSN – Lia Russell and Cassidy Jensen (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 8/1/2024

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. appointed a high school classmate and real estate agent to the county ethics commission in 2020, the same year her boss, former county firefighter Philip Tirabassi, received a secret $83,675 settlement from the county. Tirabassi also helped handle Olszewski’s personal real estate transactions. County spokesperson Erica Palmisano said Laura Ray’s nomination to the commission was based on her credentials and her party affiliation.

New Mexico – Federal Judge Sends Dark Money Group Lawsuit Back to State Court

Source New Mexico – Marjorie Childress (New Mexico In Depth) | Published: 8/7/2024

A federal judge rejected a nonprofit group’s bid to move to federal court a campaign finance case brought against it by New Mexico’s Ethics Commission. Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson said his court lacked jurisdiction over the question of whether the New Mexico Project, a nonprofit formed last year, must register as a political committee and disclose its donors.

New York – Former Addison Clerk Forfeits Pension After ‘Stunning,’ ‘Shameless’ Theft of $1.1 Million

Corning Leader – Jeff Smith | Published: 8/2/2024

Ursula Stone, the former clerk-treasurer of the Village of Addison, will be sentenced to between three and nine years in state prison and ordered to pay back $1.1 million stolen from taxpayers. Stone will also forfeit her public pension, marking the first pension forfeiture in New York state.

New York – Mayor Adams’ 2021 Campaign Flagged for $2.3 Million Gap in Fundraising Records

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 7/31/2024

The New York City Campaign Finance Board’s 900-page draft audit provides an unprecedented look at extensive problems with Mayor Eric Adams’ record-keeping. Experts say the sheer length of the report suggests careless financial management by the campaign and a failure to comply with laws and rules required of candidates who take taxpayer-funded matching funds. The Board flagged 22 separate categories of financial discrepancies, prohibited donations, straw donors, and other issues with the Adams campaign.

New York – Asian Americans Mobilize After NY Lawmaker Allegedly Bites Cop

MSN – Emily Ngo (Politico) | Published: 8/5/2024

An under-the-radar bloc of Asian Americans is ready to test its political clout after a New York City Council member of Chinese descent allegedly bit a police officer during a recent protest. The bite was a moment that energized a movement, they say. Supporters have rallied by the thousands to defend council member Susan Zhuang, and by extension themselves. Zhuang’s treatment by tabloid news outlets, political rivals, and police has galvanized predominantly Chinese, immigrant, and working-class New Yorkers who have long felt invisible.

New York – Non-Profit Started by Eric Adams’ Brother Auctioned Off Dinner with the Mayor During Hamptons Party

MSN – Craig McCarthy (New York Post) | Published: 8/5/2024

A charitable organization co-founded by Mayor Eric Adams’ brother auctioned off a dinner with the mayor during a Hamptons fundraiser, raising eyebrows with ethics watchdogs. But Angels Helpers, a non-profit that provides city youngsters access to arts and culture, said it would be pulling the prize. Asked whether the nonprofit cleared the dinner prize with the city’s Conflict of Interest Board, co-founder Alisa Roever called it an “oversight.”

New York – Supreme Court Nixes Effort to Stall Trump’s Sentencing in Hush Money Case

MSN – Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 8/5/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a bid by Missouri to block the sentencing of Donald Trump in his New York hush money case. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Trump ally, filed an unusual set of motions asking the justices to postpone the sentencing until after the November election and to lift the gag order the judge imposed in the case. Missouri’s bid was styled as a lawsuit against New York. Missouri claimed the prosecution violated the rights of the state’s voters by preventing them from “fully engaging with and hearing from a major-party Presidential candidate in the run up to the November election.”

Ohio – An Ousted FirstEnergy CEO Signed a Deal Blaming His Mentor for a Bribery Scheme. He Said the Feds Never Talked to Him

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 8/1/2024

Steven Strah, thrust into the role of chief executive officer ahead of schedule, in 2021 signed a contract similar to a plea agreement with federal prosecutors on FirstEnergy’s behalf. The agreement depicted his predecessor, Chuck Jones, as the architect of a scheme to bribe two top state government officials. But Strah said during a newly revealed deposition from 2023 that he has never been interviewed by federal authorities investigating what they have described as the biggest public corruption scheme in Ohio history.

Pennsylvania – Pa. Lawmakers Moonlight as Lawyers, Landlords, and Even as a Pilot. Advocates Say It’s a Conflict of Interest.

Philadelphia Inquirer – Sarah Nicell | Published: 8/5/2024

More than half of the Pennsylvania General Assembly reports an outside business interest or alternative forms of income, according to an analysis of state lawmakers’ statements of financial interest. Other states restrict or ban secondary employment, but Pennsylvania is one of 25 states allowing legislators to take on other careers with no limitations. Pennsylvania is the third highest-paid Legislature in the country with a $102,000 annual salary for lawmakers. Even so, the General Assembly gathers fewer than 50 days a year, giving some members time to partake in personal endeavors, which has raised ethical concerns.

Tennessee – TN Education Chief Repaid $2k in Travel, Attorney Says Complaint Politically Motivated

MSN – Vivian Jones (Nashville Tennessean) | Published: 8/8/2024

Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds repaid ExelinEd, her former employer, for travel and expenses for two out-of-state conferences after an ethics complaint said the expenditures constituted an illegal gift. State ethics law prohibits public officials from accepting gifts from lobbyists or employers of lobbyists. ExcelinEd employs a lobbyist registered in Tennessee who advocated for Gov. Bill Lee’s statewide universal school voucher proposal.

National/Federal

K Street Pivots for a Possible Harris Administration

DNyuz – Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) | Published: 7/26/2024

Vice President Kamala Harris has forsworn direct donations from lobbyists, but they are welcoming her candidacy and Washington’s influence industry has quietly jockeyed to position itself with her team. Officials at some of the biggest law and lobbying firms have endorsed her presidential campaign and are raising money for it, using loopholes to get around the campaign’s policy of not accepting donations from lobbyists. Some lobbying firms have highlighted their connections to Harris, drawing the ire of allies seeking to avoid the perception that she is beholden to special interests.

Judge Throws Out Gateway Pundit’s Bankruptcy Claim

MSN – Sarah Ellison (Washington Post) | Published: 7/25/2024

A federal judge threw out a bankruptcy case filed by the Gateway Pundit, ruling the site, which is known for spreading conspiracy theories, sought bankruptcy protection in “bad faith” to avoid having to pay potential damages in defamation suits related to the site’s reporting on the 2020 election. The ruling means that defamation cases from two Georgia election workers, as well as one from a former Dominion Voting Systems executive, can proceed. The defamation cases had been held up while the bankruptcy case was ongoing.

Biden Endorses Supreme Court Reforms, Amendment to Limit Immunity

MSN – Tyler Pager (Washington Post) | Published: 7/29/2024

President Biden endorsed sweeping changes to the U.S. Supreme Court, calling for 18-year term limits for the justices and a binding, enforceable ethics code for the high court. He is also pushing for a constitutional amendment that would prohibit blanket immunity for presidents, a rebuke of the court after it ruled former President Trump is immune from prosecution for official acts.

Trump Faces Backlash for ‘In Four Years, You Don’t Have to Vote Again’ Remark

MSN – Maegan Vazquez and Sarah Ellison (Washington Post) | Published: 7/27/2024

Democratic lawmakers and Vice President Harris’s campaign joined a chorus of online critics in calling out remarks Donald Trump aimed at a Christian audience, arguing the former president had implied he would end elections in the United States if he won a second term. At the conclusion of his speech, Trump said, “Christians, get out and vote, just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. … You got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.”

Justice Dept. Settles with Ex-FBI Officials Over Leak of Anti-Trump Texts

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 7/26/2024

The Justice Department agreed to settle claims by former senior FBI special agent Peter Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page, who had filed lawsuits accusing the government of violating their privacy rights by leaking their politically charged text messages criticizing Donald Trump. Strzok will receive a $1.2 million settlement and Page $800,000.

A Parody Ad Shared by Elon Musk Clones Kamala Harris’ Voice, Raising Concerns About AI in Politics

MSN – Ali Swenson (Associated Press) | Published: 7/29/2024

A video that uses an artificial intelligence (AI) voice-cloning tool to mimic the voice of Vice President Kamala Harris saying things she did not say is raising concerns about the power of AI to mislead with Election Day about three months away. The video gained attention after Elon Musk shared it on his social media platform X without noting it was originally released as parody. The video uses many of the same visuals as a real ad that Harris released launching her presidential campaign. But the fake ad swaps out Harris’ voice-over audio with an AI-generated voice that convincingly impersonates Harris.

Trump Media Quietly Enters Deal with a Republican Donor Who Could Benefit from a Second Trump Administration

MSN – Justin Elliott, Robert Faturechi, and Alex Mierjeski (ProPublica) | Published: 7/30/2024

Donald Trump’s media company made its first major purchase: technology to help stream TV on Truth Social from an obscure entity called JedTec LLC. The company has virtually no public footprint and no website, and it is unknown to streaming technology experts. The man behind JedTec is energy magnate James Davison, a major Republican donor. The acquisition will put Trump’s company in a business relationship with someone with numerous interests before the federal government.

More Congressional Staff? Conservatives Are Coming Around to the Idea

MSN – Jim Saska (Roll Call) | Published: 7/30/2024

Thanks to a conservative Supreme Court, Congress may do something it has not done in living memory: dramatically increase the size of the legislative branch. A handful of decisions, most notably one that ended the practice of judges deferring to federal agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous statutes, have set the stage for a tsunami of litigation challenging regulations and administrative rulings in the coming years. One potential response that seems to have consensus is that Congress needs more expertise and capacity, and that means more staff.

Project 2025 to End Policy Work after Democratic Attacks Angered Trump

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 7/30/2024

The right-wing policy operation that became a rallying cry for Democrats and a nuisance for Republican nominee Donald Trump is trying to escape the public spotlight and repair relations with Trump’s campaign. Project 2025, a collaboration led by the Heritage Foundation among conservative groups to develop a blueprint for the next Republican administration, is winding down its policy operations. The Heritage Foundation also recently distributed new talking points encouraging participants to emphasize that the project does not speak for Trump.

Justice Kagan Calls for a Way to Enforce Supreme Court Ethics Code

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 7/25/2024

Justice Elena Kagan said she would support the creation of a committee of judges to examine potential violations of the Supreme Court’s new ethics code, speaking out on a contentious subject as President Biden and others called for reform at the high court. Kagan suggested Chief Justice John Roberts could appoint an outside panel of respected, experienced judges to review allegations of wrongdoing by the justices, some of whom have faced questions in recent years over unreported gifts of luxury travel, book deals, and potential conflicts-of-interest in key cases.

States Break Out New Tactics to Thwart Abortion Ballot Measures

MSN – Alice Miranda Ollstein (Politico) | Published: 7/31/2024

In nearly every state where the question of abortion rights could be put to a popular vote this November, conservatives are deploying several strategies, from suing to have signatures thrown out in Montana and South Dakota to refusing to count signatures in Arkansas, as they attempt to block ballot initiatives that would restore or expand access to the procedure. The moves underscore the challenging position anti-abortion activists face. They suffered losses in in red and purple states that voted decisively in favor of abortion rights.

Four Years Later, IG Report Says Barr Did Not Order Lafayette Square Cleared

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 7/31/2024

An internal Justice Department probe has found that Trump administration Attorney General William Barr did not personally order protesters cleared from the park near the White House during the 2020 racial justice protests, despite the agency’s claim at the time he did. The inspector general report released more than four years after the protests concluded the police response was hampered by miscommunication, poor leadership, and unprepared law enforcement officers.

In an Attempt to Reverse the Supreme Court’s Immunity Decision, Schumer Introduces the No Kings Act

MSN – Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press) | Published: 8/1/2024

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced legislation reaffirming that presidents do not have immunity for criminal actions, an attempt to reverse the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling. The No Kings Act would attempt to invalidate the decision by declaring that presidents are not immune from criminal law and clarifying that Congress, not the Supreme Court, determines to whom federal criminal law is applied.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Audit Finds Horizon Ottawa Apparently Violated Campaign Finance Rules During 2022 Municipal Election

CTV – William Eltherinton | Published: 7/30/2024

An election compliance audit into spending of third-party advertiser Horizon Ottawa found the organization appears to have violated campaign finance rules during the 2022 Ottawa municipal elections. The audit was called following a complaint accusing the group of benefiting from an event called “Horizonfest” in September 2022.

Arizona – Arizona County Official Who Took on Election Skeptics Loses Primary

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/31/2024

A top Republican election official in Arizona’s most populous county known for his vigorous defense of elections lost his primary election to a state lawmaker who called elections in the county “a laughingstock.”  Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, who faced death threats and endless harassment for doing his job, lost his reelection bid to Rep. Justin Heap, an attorney aligned with the state Legislature’s ultraconservative Freedom Caucus. Heap has voted for legislation that grew out of false election theories.

California – Boost in Power for San Diego Ethics Commission Heading to November Ballot

MSN – David Garrick (San Diego Union-Tribune) | Published: 7/30/2024

San Diego voters will get a chance in November to boost the independence and power of the city’s Ethics Commission. The city council voted unanimously to place on the ballot a measure that would bar elected leaders from eliminating the commission and require them to adequately fund it. The measure would also change who appoints the panel’s executive director. Instead of being chosen by elected leaders, the executive director would be selected by members of the commission.

California – Shelter Lease Negotiator’s Dual Roles Raise Questions About Conflicts of Interest

MSN – Jeff McDonald (San Diego Union-Tribune) | Published: 7/28/2024

The architect of the decades-long proposed lease for a massive warehouse that would shelter homeless people is a local business icon who has served on more public and nonprofit boards than he can count. He is also a sitting member of the San Diego Housing Commission, which could lose millions of dollars a year in revenue if the city council approves Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposal for the long-vacant warehouse. Stephen Cushman was quietly hired as a paid consultant to the Gloria administration in June. The two roles Cushman is now performing may present a conflict that has yet to be publicly discussed.

California – Judge Overseeing Sheng Thao Recall Campaign Lawsuit Suddenly Recuses

MSN – Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) | Published: 7/26/2024

A judge who ruled in favor of the recall campaign targeting Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao recused herself from the case shortly before a key hearing. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Julia Spain’s abrupt decision came two days after she issued a tentative ruling siding with the recall campaign and quashing a subpoena from Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission seeking access to the recall campaign’s records.

California – Will Irvine Tighten Lobbying Rules?

Voice of OC – Angelina Hicks | Published: 7/29/2024

Irvine city officials have been eyeing their lobbying regulation, looking for ways to tighten rules nearly a year after Anaheim’s corruption scandal demonstrated a lack of lobbyist oversight in that city. Irvine’s current lobbying rules are not as strong as some other cities in California, leaving opportunities for loopholes and lacking oversight.

Delaware – Audit Finds Hall-Long’s Campaign Finances ‘Incomplete, Inaccurate, Misleading’

MSN – Amanda Fries (Delaware News Journal) | Published: 7/27/2024

A forensic audit finding Delaware gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s campaign finance reporting to be incomplete, inconsistent, inaccurate, and misleading has prompted state attorneys to seek reform to Delaware’s election laws. The state Department of Elections hired Forensic Litigation Consultants’ Jeffrey Lampinski to audit Hall-Long’s campaign finances as concerns mounted over the campaign committee’s handling of the finances.

Florida – Fitting or Chilling? Miami-Dade Ethics Panel Issues First-Ever Fine for ‘Frivolous’ Complaint

Florida Politics – Jesse Scheckner | Published: 7/29/2024

The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust in July did something it has never done in its nearly three decades of existence. The commission ordered Juan-Carlos Planas, a candidate for supervisor of elections, to pay $5,675 to cover the legal fees of former Miami Beach City Commissioner Michael Góngora. Some say it represents the first step toward stopping people from using the panel to generate negative headlines about political opponents. Others believe it will cast a chilling effect on people who would otherwise file valid complaints in the future.

Florida – Why an Ethics Agency Says DeSantis Didn’t Need to Disclose Donor’s $28K Golf Simulator

Miami Herald – Alexandra Glorioso | Published: 7/31/2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis did not need to disclose that a $28,000 golf simulator installed in the Governor’s Mansion had been provided by a longtime political donor because the equipment was, in fact, a gift to the state, the Florida Commission on Ethics determined. The decision hinged in part on an interview with the donor, Morteza Hosseini, who said he initially intended for the governor to use the equipment but eventually wanted the simulator to be used more broadly by public employees, including the governor’s security detail.

Illinois – Who’s Paying for Chicago’s DNC? Voters Won’t Have the Full Picture till It’s Long Over

WBEZ – Mitchell Armentrout | Published: 7/29/2024

Once subsidized by taxpayers, major-party national conventions are now almost fully funded by wealthy donors, corporations, labor unions, and other influential groups. But who is chipping in to cover the potentially record-breaking bill for Chicago’s Democratic National Convention will not be fully known until two months after the convention ends.

Illinois – Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Political Campaign Paid a Firm for Fundraising Help While It Lobbied City Hall, Spurring Calls for Reform

Yahoo News – Alice Yin (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/28/2024

Mercury Public Affairs, a New York City-based political strategy firm, has been lobbying Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson since July 2023 on economic and labor causes. Starting this year, the company’s consulting division also worked for Johnson’s political fund. Wearing both hats, though uncommon, is not a violation of state or city ethics codes. But it is a dynamic that good government watchdogs said raises concerns about the appearance of a conflict-of-interest for a firm seeking to influence the mayor’s office while also working to raise money for him.

Kansas – Why ‘A’ Versus ‘The’ Makes Big Difference in Court for Kansas Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Jason Alatidd (Topeka Capital-Journal) | Published: 8/1/2024

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order that blocks Kansas from requiring a neighborhood nonprofit to disclose its donors until a trial is held on the constitutionality of the state’s definition of a PAC. Under the order, the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission cannot require Fresh Vision OP to file as a political committee based on express political advocacy being “a major purpose” instead of “the major purpose” of the organization.

Kentucky – Sources: KY representative under investigation for inappropriate interactions with women

MSN – Alex Acquisto and Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 7/30/2024

State Rep. Daniel Grossberg is under investigation by the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission for inappropriate interactions with women. Three women said they have been asked about specific actions, questionable behavior, and text messages sent by Grossberg. The women shared text messages from Grossberg they described as “weird” or “creepy.” They often came late at night, and Grossberg remarked on their physical looks.

Maine – Maine Gets Tougher on the Spending for Small Town Ballot Measures

Bangor Daily News – Jules Walkup | Published: 7/29/2024

Campaign finance regulators in Maine are starting to investigate violations of a new law passed last year that requires people and groups who pay to influence ballot questions in small towns to disclose their names and addresses. The law was passed in response to the recent efforts of Maine’s largest internet provider, Charter Communications, to use big campaign tactics to quash municipal broadband proposals in communities such as Southport and Readfield.

Michigan – Federal Judges Approve New State Senate Map After Court-Ordered Redraw

Detroit News – Beth LeBlanc | Published: 7/26/2024

A federal appeals court panel signed off on a redrawn Michigan Senate political map that was reworked after judges ruled that six Detroit-area districts were unconstitutional because they were drawn on the basis of race. Members of the redistricting commission celebrated the decision. “I think we have done a good job of giving the citizens of Michigan a fair, nonpartisan map that they can have complete confidence in,” said Commissioner Donna Callaghan.

Missouri – Federal Court Strikes Down Missouri Lobbying Ban for Former Lawmakers as Rights Violation

Yahoo News – Jonathan Shorman (Kansas City Star) | Published: 7/29/2024

A federal appeals court panel struck down a Missouri law that prohibits current lawmakers and employees of the General Assembly from paid lobbying during their time of service and for two years after they leave office. The judges found the ban is too broad and the state failed to clear the high bar required for restrictions of First Amendment rights.

New Jersey – Judge Throws Out Corruption Case Against N.J. Rabbi Before Jurors Begin to Deliberate

MSN – Ted Sherman (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 7/31/2024

In a surprise move that called into question a nearly decade-long pursuit by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Osher Eisemann, charged with pocketing public funds from his private school for children with developmental disabilities, a judge tossed out all charges against the rabbi. The decision followed a long-fought battle that saw Eisemann convicted in 2019 before having that verdict overturned on appeal. During the second trial, his lawyers argued no crime had been committed. One of the state’s detectives testified there had been no crime and that he had “no idea why any of us are here.”

New Mexico – City Ethics Board Member Resigns Following Complaint Over Prohibited Campaign Donation

Santa Fe New Mexican – Carina Julig | Published: 7/29/2024

A member of the Santa Fe Ethics and Campaign Review Board stepped down days after a complaint called for her and other board members to be removed over a campaign donation she made last year. Kristina Martinez, an attorney who has served on the ethics board for years, donated $500 to city council candidate Geno Zamora’s campaign. Board members are prohibited from making donations to municipal candidates.

New York – NY Judge Hands Former NRA Head Wayne LaPierre a 10 Year Ban but Declines to Appoint Monitor

MSN – Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) | Published: 7/29/2024

A New York judge banned Wayne LaPierre, the former head of the National Rifle Association, from holding a paid position with the organization for a decade but declined to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the gun rights group. The first phase of the trial, decided in February by a jury, found LaPierre and another deputy liable for misspending millions of dollars on lavish trips and other personal expenses.

New York – Prosecutors Say Immunity Ruling Has No Bearing on Trump’s Conviction

Spokane Spokesman-Review – Ben Protess and Jesse McKinley (New York Times) | Published: 7/25/2024

Manhattan prosecutors are urging the judge who oversaw Donald Trump’s criminal hush-money trial to uphold his conviction, seeking to cast doubt on the former president’s long-shot bid to overturn the case because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Although the high court’s ruling was a blow to a separate criminal case against Trump in Washington, the Manhattan charges did not hinge on official acts. Instead, the Manhattan prosecutors noted, he was convicted of covering up a sex scandal that had threatened to derail his 2016 campaign, a personal and political crisis that did not involve his conduct as president.

Ohio – FirstEnergy ‘Successfully Completed’ Terms of Its Deal with Feds Over Bribery Schemes, Prosecutors Say

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/22/2024

Prosecutors said FirstEnergy “successfully completed” the terms of a deal struck when the company admitted to separate schemes to bribe a top state regulator and the Ohio House speaker. Prosecutors released the utility from some of its obligations under its deferred prosecution agreement. But they are not dropping the charge of honest services wire fraud against the company until the completion of any investigation, criminal prosecution, or civil lawsuit related to the bribery scandal.

Ohio – Republican Ohio Lawmakers Ponder Proposing Second Redistricting Amendment to Foil Another One They Don’t Like

MSN – Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/25/2024

Ohio Republicans are considering trying to foil a redistricting reform amendment that recently qualified for the November ballot by putting up a separate redistricting proposal of their own to compete with it, according to a state lawmaker who said she has discussed the plans with legislative leadership. The “Citizens Not Politicians” amendment would replace the Ohio Redistricting Commission, a panel of elected officials that is currently controlled by Republicans, with a citizen’s commission that would be made up of equal parts Republicans, Democrats, and independents.

Oklahoma – Despite Support from AG, Legislators Once Again Barred from Board Executive Session

MSN – Murray Evans (Oklahoman) | Published: 7/31/2024

Sen. Mary Boren is weighing her legal options after the state Board of Education, for a second straight month, denied her entry into an executive session, despite support from Oklahoma’s attorney general. The attorney general’s office has been clear that lawmakers should be allowed to attend at least some executive sessions, pointing to a section of the state’s Open Meetings Act.

Oregon – Portland Withdraws Lobbying Violation Against Shelter Operator Urban Alchemy

Oregon Public Broadcasting – Alex Zielinski | Published: 7/24/2024

City Auditor Simone Rede walked back her recent ruling that a California-based contractor hired by the city to run several outdoor homeless shelters violated Portland’s lobbying rules. Rede announced in May her office found Urban Alchemy failed to report spending nearly $4,000 when it dispatched a team of employees in 2022 to pitch Portland officials on choosing it as an alternative shelter operator for the city.

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Presidential Election Results Could Again Take Days to Count

MSN – Colby Itkowitz and Derek Hawkins (Washington Post) | Published: 7/27/2024

When the polls closed on election night in 2020, Donald Trump appeared to be winning Pennsylvania. But over the next several days, as officials counted mail-in ballots, his lead shrunk and then disappeared. By Saturday, Joe Biden was the clear winner of Pennsylvania and with it, the presidency. The delay was caused by a quirk of Pennsylvania’s election law, which forbids the opening of mail-in ballots until seven a.m. on the day of the election.

Tennessee – What Can a City Do When Neo-Nazis Start Marching Down Its Streets?

Yahoo News – Emily Cochrane | Published: 8/1/2024

Neo-Nazi groups descended on Nashville recently, parading along the city’s famed strip of honky-tonks and celebrity-owned bars. The neo-Nazis disrupted a city council meeting, harassed descendants of Holocaust survivors, and yelled racist slurs at Black children performing on a street. The appearance of white nationalists on the streets of a major American city laid bare the growing brazenness of the Patriot Front and the Goyim Defense League. Their provocations enraged and alarmed civic leaders and residents in Nashville, causing the city to grapple with how to confront the groups without violating free speech protections.

Wisconsin – Andre Jacque May Be Using His State Campaign Fund to Help Out with His Congressional Race

Yahoo News – Lawrence Andrea and Daniel Bice (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 7/29/2024

As Andre Jacque struggles to gain fundraising steam in his Wisconsin congressional primary race, he appears to be turning to his old state Senate campaign coffers for help. Campaign finance records show that, beginning in March, Jacque doled out $23,500 from his state Senate campaign account to friends, family, and fellow lawmakers, who then donated that amount and more to his federal congressional campaign.

National/Federal

Can Robert Menendez’s Bribery Conviction Survive an Appeal?

DNyuz – Benjamin Weiser (New York Times) | Published: 7/22/2024

With U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, found guilty of corruption charges, his lawyers say they will appeal his conviction aggressively and believe he will be vindicated. Defense lawyers make such claims routinely, but in the realm of federal corruption cases, they may have reason to be optimistic. The U.S. Supreme Court, in rulings since 2010, has narrowed the legal definition of corruption, resulting in a number of convictions of political figures being overturned.

The Secret Battle for the Future of the Murdoch Empire

DNyuz – Jim Rutenberg and Jonathan Mahler (New York Tims) | Published: 7/24/2024

Rupert Murdoch is locked in a legal battle against three of his children over the future of the family’s media empire, as he moves to preserve it as a conservative political force after his death. Murdoch made a surprise move to change the terms of the irrevocable family trust to ensure his eldest son and chosen successor, Lachlan, would remain in charge of his collection of television networks and newspapers. He is arguing in court that only by empowering Lachlan to run the company without interference from his more politically moderate siblings can he preserve its conservative editorial bent, and thus protect its commercial value for all his heirs.

Corporate Donors Swarm GOP Convention: ‘It’s like a cocktail party’

MSN – Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 7/18/2024

Many corporate donors treated Trump as a pariah after attack on the Capitol and decried his efforts to overturn the election. But now that Trump is the Republican standard-bearer, more than 300 executives and lobbyists attended the convention as guests of his campaign. Lobbyists from more than a dozen prominent firms attended the convention as guests of the Trump campaign’s host committee. To get in the boxes, donors must have written large checks or have promised big donations.

Election Officials Frustrated Trump Allies Suddenly Care About Rhetoric

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 7/19/2024

Soon after Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt, many of his prominent supporters placed blame not on the gunman who pulled the trigger but on President Biden, other Democrats. or journalists who have described the former president as a threat to democracy. But for years, election workers felt ignored as they described how Trump’s verbal attacks on the nation’s election systems resulted in threats of violence and terrorizing harassment. Now, Trump’s prominent supporters were paying attention to the potential ramifications of rhetoric but without acknowledging how their words had contributed to the nation’s toxic divisions.

Democrats Coalesce Around Harris, as She Kicks Off Bid with Attacks on Trump

MSN – Toluse Olorunnipa (Washington Post) | Published: 7/22/2024

The Democratic Party largely coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris as its likely new presidential nominee as she kicked off her campaign by promising to prosecute a forceful case against Donald Trump and defend the legacy of President Biden. Harris secured pledges of support from a majority of Democratic National Convention delegates, a strong show of unity behind her presidential campaign that signals she is likely to officially become the party’s nominee in August.

FCC Commissioner Wrote a Project 2025 Chapter – Democrats Want Him Investigated Over It

MSN – Alison Durkee (Forbes) | Published: 7/17/2024

House Democrats called for an ethics investigation into Federal Communications Commission leader Brendan Carr, arguing he improperly used his office after he authored a chapter in the controversial Project 2025 policy agenda that lays out a blueprint for former Donald Trump to overhaul the executive branch. Carr’s actions may have violated ethics laws for federal employees and the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from using their office for political activities, the lawmakers argued.

Secret Service Director Cheatle Resigns with ‘Heavy Heart’ After Trump Rally Shooting

MSN – Maria Sacchetti, Carol Leonnig, Nick Miroff, and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 7/23/2024

U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The attack was the first against a U.S. leader on the elite protective agency’s watch in more than 40 years. Cheatle, a veteran Secret Service agent, had called the security failure involving a gunman shooting from an apparently unsecured roof at a Trump campaign rally on July 13 unacceptable and acknowledged “the buck stops with me.”

$30 Million Gift Will Fund Center to Push for Supreme Court Overhaul

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 7/23/2024

A business executive and philanthropist pledged $30 million to launch a first-of-its-kind center pushing to overhaul the Supreme Court, after a series of ethics controversies and conservative rulings prompted rising scrutiny of the justices. The major gift from Jim Kohlberg, chairperson of a private equity firm, will fund research, public outreach, and policy advocacy over a decade at the Brennan Center for Justice. The announcement comes amid a flurry of Democratic activity related to reshaping the court.

Bob Menendez to Resign Senate Seat Following Federal Bribery Conviction

MSN – Abbie Cheeseman and Nicole Markus (Washington Post) | Published: 7/23/2024

Sen. Bob Menendez plans to resign effective August 20. He was convicted of taking bribes from three businesspeople who showered him and his wife with cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz, an extravagant bounty for his help securing deals with foreign officials and trying to derail several criminal investigations in New Jersey. A jury found Menendez guilty on 16 felony counts, including bribery, extortion, and working as a foreign agent on behalf of Egypt.

Trump Allies Crush Misinformation Research Despite Supreme Court Loss

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski and Naomi Nix (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2024

A legal campaign led by allies of Donald Trump is attempting to cast the study of misinformation as part of a broader conspiracy to censor conservative voices online. It has transformed the daily life and work of those who worked at tracking election misinformation online, a field now reeling as the 2024 presidential race enters its final months. False rumors and disinformation have proliferated online as the nation reels from the assassination attempt on Trump and President Biden’s withdrawal from the race.

GOP Eyes Legal Challenges as Harris Assumes Control of Biden’s War Chest

MSN – Maeve Reston (Washington Post) | Published: 7/21/2024

Within hours of President Biden announcing his decision to leave the race, his reelection committee submitting an amended filing to the FEC changing its name to “Harris for President” so Vice President Harris would have access to the millions of dollars in the fund. Several campaign finance lawyers aligned with Republicans argue the campaign does not have legal authority to do that and the maneuver is all but certain to be challenged before the FEC or in court.

Biden’s 50 Years in Politics Defined by Triumph, Tragedy and a Reluctant Exit

MSN – Toluse Olorunnipa (Washington Post) | Published: 7/21/2024

President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race marks the sunset of a consequential career in public service that spanned more than 50 years. The move caps a turbulent journey in Washington for a self-described “great respecter of fate” who acquiesced to the conclusion drawn by many Democratic leaders and allies that, at 81 and showing increasing signs of aging, he did not have a viable path to defeating Donald Trump.

DOJ Review Blames Stone Sentencing Flip on Poor Leadership, Not Politics

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2024

The Justice Department’s inspector general blamed “ineffectual leadership” and not political interference for the softening of Roger Stone’s sentencing recommendation in February 2020 after his conviction for lying to Congress. The report upheld an account by then-Attorney General William Barr but also found that line prosecutors’ suspicions of political meddling by Donald Trump’s administration were not unreasonable.

Ex-Mass. Congressional Candidate Sentenced for Using Campaign Donations to Pay Debts

MSN – Susannah Sudborough (MassLive) | Published: 7/23/2024

Abhijit Das, a former Massachusetts congressional candidate, was sentenced to 21 months in prison with a fine of $25,000 for breaking federal campaign finance law, including by using political donations to pay back money he owed from running his hotel business. While running for office in December 2017, he devised a scheme to inflate his fundraising numbers that involved asking for personal loans from friends over the $2,700 limit set by federal law.

Ethics Commissions: Obliging government to control itself

National Conference of State Legislatures – Helen Brewer and Adam Kuckuk | Published: 7/23/2024

Government makes rules for the people, but who makes the rules for the government? In the Federalist Papers, James Madison saw this issue as one of the greatest challenges in creating a republic: “You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.” One of the many ways state governments are obliged to control themselves is through ethics commissions. How these commissions are structured, the jurisdiction they have, how they operate, and what they cover varies greatly by state.

Campaign Finance Watchdog Raises Alarm About Recent FEC Super PAC Decisions

Ohio Capital Journal – Nick Evans | Published: 7/24/2024

Some campaign finance experts argue the FEC is fundamentally broken and is taking a wrecking ball to campaign spending rules. For years, the agency moved at a glacial pace and often deadlocked when it came to enforcement decisions. But more recently, a majority of commissioners have begun issuing decisions that consistently roll back political spending restrictions.

Activist Group Files Ethics Complaint After Member Accused of Accosting GOP Lawmaker

Yahoo News – Yash Roy (The Hill) | Published: 7/18/2024

Activist group Code Pink submitted a complaint against U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden to the House ethics committee over now-dismissed battery charges. The Milwaukee County district attorney’s office dismissed the misdemeanor battery charge against Code Pink activist Nour Jaghama after Van Orden accused her in a social media post of assaulting him outside the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Influencers Put on Notice, Guelph Lobbyist Registry Moves Forward

Guelph Today – Richard Vivian | Published: 7/24/2024

The Guelph City Council voted to establish a municipal lobbyist registry. The registry, which will come into being on October 1 but not be enforced until January 1, requires lobbyists with a financial interest to publicly report each time they attempt to influence a council member, along with identifying their employer and details about the subject at hand.

California – Democrats Run the California Capitol. When the Party Backs a Bill, Lawmakers Pay Attention

CalMatters – Ryan Sabalow | Published: 7/22/2024

The California Democratic Party is a multimillion-dollar powerhouse whose endorsements and campaign money can make or break a politician’s aspirations for state or federal office. The party also regularly throws its weight around on individual pieces of legislation in the state Capitol, where Democrats hold supermajorities in both chambers. Few other organizations have weighed in on more legislation, making the party, whose primary function is electing Democrats, one of the most prolific, and successful, lobbying organizations at the statehouse.

California – Mark Farrell Doubles Down on Practice of Commingling Campaign Funds

Mission Local – Kelly Waldron | Published: 7/24/2024

San Francisco mayoral candidate Mark Farrell has continued a practice his opponents say amounts to skirting campaign finance limits. He pooled $160,895 in expenses between his mayoral race and a ballot measure he is backing. Rival campaigns allege this effectively allows Farrell to access larger sums from big-money donors, who are not hamstrung by the city’s contribution limits on giving to candidates directly.

California – Stockton Drafting Possible Transparency Rules for Political Consultants After Grand Jury Report

MSN – Aaron Leathley (Stockton Record) | Published: 7/18/2024

The Stockton City Council members took a first step toward creating new transparency rules for political consultants and possibly establishing a city ethics commission. The council’s legislative committee told interim City Clerk Katherine Roland to draft policies that would require consultants working with local candidates and politicians to reveal basic information about their businesses and clients.

California – LA County Supervisors Back a Ballot Measure to Add 4 Seats, Elect a County CEO

MSN – Steve Scauzillo (Los Angeles Daily News) | Published: 7/23/2024

Despite mounting opposition, a ballot measure that would increase the number of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from five to nine members, create an elected, not appointed, county executive officer, and establish an ethics commission received its first vote of approval. It needs a second and final vote that is set for July 30 and the sweeping governance reform, the first multi-pronged charter reform package in more than 100 years that will change the face of county government, will go before voters on November 5.

California – Rep. Ken Calvert Has Secured Millions for His Riverside County District. Do His Own Properties Benefit?

Yahoo News – Laura Nelson (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 7/22/2024

Since Congress brought back the legislative process known as earmarking in 2022, few lawmakers have been as successful at securing funds for their district as Rep. Ken Calvert, who has been in Congress longer than any other California Republican. He has funneled more than $100 million since then into projects in his Riverside County district. The earmarks include $16 million in planned transportation improvements that fall within several miles of rental properties Calvert owns, raising questions about the extent to which he personally benefits from the earmarks he has secured.

Colorado – Colorado Campaign Donation Limits Case to Be Decided Later This Year

Colorado Sun – Sandra Fish | Published: 7/24/2024

A federal judge will decide after the November 5 general election whether Colorado’s political donation limits for candidates are legal. Three Republicans are challenging the limits enacted by voters in 2002 claiming they violate the First Amendment by limiting donors’ freedom of speech. Senior U.S. District Court Judge John Kane rejected their attempt to suspend the limits immediately.

District of Columbia – D.C. Prosecutor Accused of Misconduct at Trials of Anti-Trump Protesters

MSN – Peter Herman (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2024

A federal prosecutor who oversaw sweeping arrests of anti-Trump demonstrators in the nation’s capital manipulated evidence alongside a District of Columbia police detective in an apparent attempt to strengthen the case, according to an office that investigates misconduct complaints against attorneys in the city. Jennifer Kerkhoff Muyskens worked with a detective, Greggory Pemberton, to edit video of people planning protests of the president’s 2017 inauguration, and later falsely told the court about it, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel alleges.

Georgia – Georgia Democrats Sue to Overturn Law Allowing Unlimited Campaign Cash, Saying GOP Unfairly Benefits

MSN – Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 7/19/2024

Georgia Democrats are suing to overturn the ability of Gov. Brian Kemp and others to raise unlimited political contributions and spend them on behalf of any political cause. The Democratic Party of Georgia filed a federal lawsuit that asks a judge to declare a 2021 law that created leadership committees is unconstitutional because it unfairly gives unlimited fundraising powers to some people but not others.

Hawaii – Hawaii Contractors Are Still Big Contributors to Political Campaigns, Thanks to Loopholes in State Law

Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 7/24/2024

Hawaii banned contributions from contractors in 2005, but the Legislature wrote a loophole into the law that allowed officers, owners, employees, and family members to continue donating. A media investigation this year found nearly one-fifth of all campaign donations made since 2006 came from people tied to contractors. Efforts to close the loophole failed in the last two legislative sessions. Citing the New York Times and Honolulu Civil Beat investigation, lawmakers and government watchdog groups have said they will take up the issue again next year.

Illinois – Madigan Crony Asks for Severance from Upcoming Corruption Trial, Claiming Ex-Illinois Speaker’s Legal Team Could ‘Ambush’ Him

MSN – Jason Meisner, Ray Long, and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/22/2024

Attorneys for Michael McClain asked that he be severed in his upcoming racketeering trial with former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, revealing for the first time that Madigan’s legal team may be planning to throw McClain under the bus. The motion said McClain’s right to a fair trial was in peril due to a theory of Madigan’s defense that would essentially make them “second prosecutors,” putting McClain in the position of having to defend himself not only from government accusations but his co-defendant too.

Maine – Republican Lawmaker Escapes Penalty for Repeatedly Missing Campaign Finance Deadlines

Yahoo News – Randy Billings (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 7/24/2024

A state lawmaker will not face any penalties for routinely failing to file timely campaign finance reports for his PAC. The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices ruled Rep. Richard Campbell violated state law. But commissioners were not able to assess a financial penalty because Campbell’s Building the Maine House PAC has not actively raised or spent money for the last four years.

Maine – Maine Lawmakers Want to Rein in Vague ‘Concept Bills,’ Late-Night Votes

Yahoo News – Randy Billings (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 7/19/2024

A group of Maine lawmakers is considering a list of proposals to improve transparency and efficiency in the Legislature following the chaotic conclusion of this year’s session. The potential rule changes include capping the number of bills that can be submitted, limiting the use of placeholder bills that lack policy specifics, and putting an end to late-night votes, especially on the state budget.

Maryland – Baltimore County Spending $550K to Shield 2020 Settlement to Brother of County Executive’s Friend

MSN – Cassidy Jensen and Lia Russell (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 7/17/2024

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.’s administration secretly paid his friend’s brother an $83,675 settlement after backing out of an agreement to increase the retired firefighter’s pension, which county lawyers said would have violated state law. Now, the administration could pay more than $500,000 in a court fight to keep secret details about the settlement. Former County Administrative Officer Fred Homan sued the county, alleging officials violated the Maryland Public Information Act by withholding documents he requested related to the settlement.

Mississippi – Mississippi Ordered to Create More Black Districts, Hold Special Elections Next Year

MSN – Taylor Vance (Biloxi Sun Herald) | Published: 7/19/2024

The Mississippi Legislature must adopt new state Senate and House maps with Black-majority districts during its 2025 session and conduct elections to fill those new seats, a federal three-judge panel ruled. The judges previously ruled the districts drawn in 2022 by the Legislature diluted Black voting strength. The State Board of Election Commissioners argued the elections should take place next year because it would be nearly impossible to redraw the districts in time for November elections.

Missouri – Kehoe Campaign for Missouri Governor Riding on Bus Owned by Lobbyist for Chinese Pork Producer

Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 7/21/2024

In his campaign for governor, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe has promised voters he will stop China “from buying up our farmland.” He is doing so while traveling the state in a bus owned by Jewell Patek, a former legislator who is the only Missouri lobbyist employed by the Chinese business that owns a significant chunk of agricultural land in the state. The cost of using Patek’s bus is not listed among the expenses reported in Kehoe’s latest campaign finance report.

Montana – Montana Attorney General Didn’t Violate Campaign Finance Rules, Elections Enforcer Says

MSN – Amy Beth Hanson (Associated Press) | Published: 7/19/2024

Commissioner of Political Practice Chris Gallus said Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen did not violate any laws after he was reported to have recruited Logan Olson to run against him for campaign finance purposes. The contribution limit for the attorney general’s race is $790, but candidates can receive twice that from individuals if they have a primary opponent. Gallus said did not have evidence to show Olson was not a “bona fide” candidate or that he was offered any “payment or promise” for running.

New York – Elected Official Charged with Biting NYPD Officer

MSN – Jeff Coltin (Politico) | Published: 7/17/2024

New York City Council member Susan Zhuang was arrested on charges she bit a deputy police chief while protesting a planned homeless shelter in her Brooklyn district. Zhuang’s communications director, Felix Tager, said “Zhuang was arrested after trying to protect an 80-year-old woman” who was being pushed up against the barricades. NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell disagreed, saying the woman had laid herself under the barricade.

New York – Contributions That Exceed Legal Limits Poured into Eric Adams’ Campaign

The City – Greg Smith | Published: 7/19/2024

Individuals on New York City’s official “doing business” list donated more than the limit to Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 campaign and now his 2025 bid for re-election. Donors who exceeded the $400 cap have had the excess money refunded following review by the Campaign Finance Board well after the campaign has touted its fundraising hauls in competitive races. In addition to banning corporate contributions, amendments to the city charter gave the board the power to regulate donations from individuals involved in city business.

Ohio – Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens Scores Temporary Legal Win in Fight Over Campaign Account

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/23/2024

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens scored an unexpected legal win as a state appeals court temporarily held up a lower-court injunction stripping him of control over the chamber’s campaign arm. It throws an unexpected hurdle in the way of attempts by a majority of Republicans to wrest control of the Ohio House Republican Alliance’s from Stephens, who was elected speaker last year with the support of only about one-third of his caucus as well as every Democrat.

Oregon – The Feds Warned Oregon Officials That a Report on Alcohol Taxes Was Fundamentally Flawed

Willamette Week – Lucas Manfield | Published: 7/24/2024

The director of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Dr. Sejal Hathi, told lawmakers, advocates, and business leaders on a state Liquor and Cannabis Commission task force that her agency was wrong to bury a report that showed increasing taxes on beer and wine would do little to curb excessive drinking. The shelving of that report left the impression the OHA withheld it because it clashed with the agency’s desire to hike taxes to reduce excessive drinking. The report was not just politically inconvenient. According to some scientists, it was also flawed because it was based on research funded by the alcohol industry.

Tennessee – Tennessee Election Finance Board to Subpoena Members of Constitutional Republicans

Tennessee Lookout – Sam Stockard | Published: 7/24/2024

Dissatisfied with a state attorney general’s investigation, the Registry of Election Finance is set to subpoena members of the Tennessee and Sumner County Constitutional Republicans to have them explain how they operate without registering as a PAC. A complaint accuses the groups of acting like a PAC by making expenditures for candidates or issues but refusing to register with the state. Five people spoke to a state investigator, but three others declined.

Texas – In Texas, Violating Campaign Ethics Laws Rarely Yields Repercussions. The Attorney General’s Office Is to Blame.

MSN – Zach Despart (Texas Tribune) | Published: 7/23/2024

Three decades following its inception, the Texas Ethics Commission is toothless. Compliance with ethics laws is largely voluntary. That is because the agency relies on the Texas attorney general to enforce payment of fines for violations. Under Ken Paxton, who himself owes $11,000 in ethics fines, that has rarely happened. A review by The Texas Tribune found the number of politicians, lobbyists, and PACs that owe fines for breaking state campaign finance laws has exploded in recent years.

National/Federal

Meta Rolls Back Restrictions on Trump’s Instagram and Facebook Accounts

DNyuz – Mike Isaac (New York Times) | Published: 7/12/2024

Meta said it was rolling back some restrictions to Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts so people on its services could hear from those running for the presidency “on the same basis.” Under the restrictions on Trump’s accounts, he could have been suspended from Meta’s services if he had posted content that sought to delegitimize this November’s election, among other things. But Meta said it was now relaxing those restrictions, reducing the potential for a suspension if Trump violated the company’s terms of service.

How Trump Dominated His Own Party on a New G.O.P. Platform

DNyuz – Jonathan Swan, Shane Goldmacher, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 7/18/2024

Donald Trump long ago decided he wanted a very different Republican Party platform in 2024. The delegates who arrived in Milwaukee before the Republican National Convention, with plans of drafting a sweeping document of party principles, quickly found out just how determined he was. Their cellphones were confiscated and placed in magnetically sealed pouches. It was only then that the delegates received a copy of the platform language the Trump team had prepared, which slashed the platform size by nearly three-quarters.

Trump Picks Sen. J.D. Vance, a Former Critic, to Be His Running Mate

MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 7/15/2024

Donald Trump chose U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate, selecting a previously outspoken Trump critic who in recent years has closely aligned himself with the former president. Vance is a relative political newcomer, winning his Senate seat in 2022 after rising to prominence as an author who wrote a best-selling memoir. His selection adds a staunch defender of Trump’s movement to the ticket and, some Republican observers said, it could help Trump solidify his base of White working-class voters.

Trump’s Classified-Documents Case Dismissed by Judge Aileen Cannon

MSN – Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 7/15/2024

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the federal criminal case against Donald Trump charging him with amassing highly sensitive national security secrets at his Mar-a-Lago estate and then obstructing government efforts to reclaim them. Cannon concluded that special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution. Other courts have rejected arguments similar to the one that Trump’s team made about the legality of Smith’s appointment.

Influencer Running for U.S. Senate Challenges Campaign Finance Rules

MSN – Taylor Lorenz (Washington Post) | Published: 7/10/2024

Caroline Gleich, a professional ski mountaineer and online content creator who is vying to replace U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, is seeking permission to sidestep campaign finance rules that she says disadvantage influencers who make a living generating sponsored posts on social media. Under current FEC rules, any sponsored social post that features Gleich and is distributed in Utah within 90 days of the November 5 election could be considered a “coordinated communication.” As such, it would count as an in-kind contribution and be listed in her campaign finance reports.

New York Judge Throws Out Rudy Giuliani’s Bankruptcy Case

MSN – Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 7/12/2024

A federal judge threw out Rudy Giuliani’s bankruptcy case, paving the way for a litany of creditors, including two former Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation claim against him, to pursue and potentially seize his assets. In his order, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane cited Giuliani’s “continued failure to meet his reporting obligations and provide the financial transparency required of a debtor in possession” and called his behavior “troubling.” It restricts Giuliani from seeking bankruptcy protection for one year.

Sen. Menendez Convicted of Bribery, Other Charges in Corruption Trial

MSN – Salvador Rizzo and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 7/6/2024

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez was convicted of all the counts he faced at his corruption trial, including accepting bribes of gold and cash from three New Jersey businessperson and acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. The two co-defendants in the trial, real estate developer Fred Daibes and businessperson Wael Hana, were also convicted. Jurors heard witnesses describe how the longtime lawmaker had waded into a world of Egyptian spies and international intrigue after falling in love with a divorcée he met at his local pancake house.

U.S. Begins Dropping Jan. 6 Obstruction Charges for Some Proud Boys, Others

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 7/16/2024

The Supreme Court’s ruling narrowing use of an obstruction charge for January 6 defendants is leading to misdemeanor plea deals for some Capitol riot defendants. Federal prosecutors have begun moving to drop charges accusing defendants of obstructing Congress’s confirmation of the 2020 presidential election results, offering new plea deals after the Supreme Court restricted the government’s use of that count. Those whose charges may be dropped are among a small core group of Capitol riot defendants who prosecutors alleged understood why Congress was meeting and who came not to protest but to block lawmakers from acting.

Biden Set to Announce Support for Major Supreme Court Changes

MSN – Tyler Pager and Michael Scheer (Washington Post) | Published: 7/16/2024

President Biden is finalizing plans to endorse major changes to the Supreme Court in the coming weeks, including proposals for legislation to establish term limits for the justices and an enforceable ethics code, according to two people briefed on the plans. He is also weighing whether to call for a constitutional amendment to eliminate broad immunity for presidents and other constitutional officeholders.

Ex-CIA Analyst Accused of Working for South Korean Intelligence Service

MSN – Aaron Schaffer and Ellen Nakashima (Washington Post) | Published: 7/17/2024

A former CIA analyst and noted East Asia expert was indicted on criminal charges of acting as an agent of South Korea, whose intelligence officials allegedly rewarded her with luxury gifts and concealed payments made to a think tank. Sue Mi Terry was charged with failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

DNC Sticks with Biden Virtual Roll Call, Despite Doubts That It’s Necessary

MSN – Colby Itkowitz, Patrick Svitek, and Leigh Ann Caldwell (Washington Post) | Published: 7/17/2024

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) pressed forward with a plan to hold a virtual roll call to nominate President Biden for reelection during the first week of August, a process that could short-circuit a burgeoning effort from within the party to replace him. Party leadership cited the risk of a legal quagmire if Biden is not formally nominated before the convention in Chicago, which begins August 19. DNC officials said ballot deadlines in a handful of states could give GOP-aligned groups the opportunity to challenge any nominee whose status is not formalized by then.

Even When Big Cases Intersect with Their Families’ Interests, Many Judges Choose Not to Recuse

ProPublica – Noah Pransky, Brooke Williams, and Andrew Botolino | Published: 7/16/2024

Concerns that judges on the nation’s highest courts have not properly disclosed personal conflicts and have failed to recuse when such issues arose have been at the center of a recent national debate. A ProPublica analysis found a lack of transparency regarding conflicts plagues federal and state courts where loose rules, inconsistent enforcement, and creative interpretations of guidelines routinely allow judges to withhold potential conflicts from the parties before them.

Charities Are Allowed to Do Some Lobbying, but Many Do None at All

The Conversation – Heather MacIndoe (University of Massachusetts at Boston) and Mirae Kim (George Mason University) | Published: 7/2/2024

U.S. charities may spend some of their time and money on lobbying, as long as those organizations do not primarily exist to influence federal legislation. This rule applies to all charitable nonprofits, which run the gamut from hospitals to social service providers, museums and environmental organizations. States can also regulate nonprofit lobbying. For example, the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office requires nonprofit employees who lobby to register with the state and pay a registration fee.

Shooting at Trump Rally Comes at Volatile Time in American History

Yahoo News – Peter Baker, Simon Levien, and Michael Gold (New York Times) | Published: 7/14/2024

For the first time in more than four decades, a man who was elected president of the United States was wounded in an assassination attempt when a gunman who appeared to have crawled onto a nearby roof opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The explosion of political violence came at an especially volatile moment in American history and further inflamed an already stormy campaign for the White House. Authorities have reported a surge of threats against elected and appointed officials of both parties in recent years, as anger has come to dominate the political discourse.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Statewide Initiative Would Restore Alaska Campaign Finance Limits

Alaska Public Radio – Robyne (KAUC) | Published: 7/17/2024

A group of Alaskans is circulating petitions this summer to restore state campaign finance limits. Citizens Against Money in Politics (CAMP) says its ballot initiative will give citizens the same power as large corporations and unions. Jus Tavcar, a volunteer coordinator with CAMP, initiative would limit contributions to $2,000 per election cycle for an individual candidate’s campaign, or $5,000 a year to a political party.

California – After Pushback, Ethics Commission Now Won’t Recommend That Nonprofits Report Lobbying

Long Beach Post – Melissa Evans | Published: 7/10/2024

After pushback from the nonprofit sector, the Long Beach Ethics Commission reversed course and will likely not recommend these organizations register as lobbyists if they routinely seek to influence city decisions. Commissioners are now seeking to instead add requirements that elected leaders and top officials upload their calendars to the city website and require additional leaders in city government to maintain publicly available calendars that can be obtained quickly through a public records request.

California – Search Under Way for New San Diego Ethics Commission Chief

MSN – Jeff McDonald (San Diego Union Tribune) | Published: 7/12/2024

Sharon Spivak, the journalist-turned-attorney who took over as executive director of the San Diego Ethics Commission four years ago after 15 years with the city attorney’s office, will leave her post late this year. The new executive director must be confirmed by the city council, but that process could change under a reform package pushed by City Attorney Mara Elliott. Spivak is expected to remain at the commission until next spring to assist with the transition once her successor is determined.

California – Oakland Company in FBI Crosshairs Sought City Homeless Shelter Contracts

MSN – Natalie Orenstein, Eli Wolfe, and Darwin BondGraham (Oaklandside) | Published: 7/10/2024

Evolutionary Homes, a company that appears to be at the center of the FBI corruption probe, recently angled to build housing for homeless people in Oakland. The company pitched its shelters, which are manufactured from shipping containers, to multiple council members over the past year. The company was named in a subpoena served against multiple Oakland officials. No shipping-container shelter plans ever came to fruition, but some of the companies involved told city leaders they believed there were major funds, possibly federal COVID relief money, to tap into for the projects.

California – SF Lawmaker Who Spent $80,000 in Campaign Funds on 49ers Tickets Faces Probe

SFGate – Alec Regimbal | Published: 7/12/2024

California Assembly member Matt Haney is being investigated for possibly violating state campaign finance laws. While the Fair Political Practices Commission did not offer specifics on the matter, some of Haney’s recent campaign expenditures have begun to raise eyebrows. Haney has spent more than $80,000 on San Francisco 49ers tickets since the beginning of 2023. Experts said it is not unheard of for candidates to host fundraisers at sporting events, but Haney’s spending seemed “excessive.”

California – California Limits Pay-to-Play Politics in Local Elections, but Federal Law Enables a Loophole

Yahoo News – Theresa Clift (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 7/11/2024

California has limited the amount a local candidate can accept from an individual donor before they must abstain from voting on issues that benefit that contributor. But independent expenditures offer a limitless alternative for individuals and groups that want to advocate for the election of candidates and the passage of measures that advance their agendas.

Colorado – Democratic Dark Money Group to Disclose Donors, Pay an $18,000 Fine for Violation in Prop. HH Campaign

Colorado Public Radio – Andrew Kenny | Published: 7/16/2024

A political nonprofit that aided Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’s transition shortly after his 2018 election admitted it violated state campaign finance laws. Boldly Forward Colorado will pay an $18,000 fine and disclose its donors. In 2023, the group spent more than $350,000 in support of Proposition HH, a tax reform proposal backed by Polis. That money was given to the committee running the campaign. A complaint alleged Boldly Forward Colorado did not register as a committee and failed to report its electioneering activities.

Colorado – Dave Williams Sent the Colorado GOP $60,000. The Party Says It’s Not Reimbursement for Campaign Help.

Colorado Sun – Sandra Fish and Jesse Paul | Published: 7/17/2024

A new batch of federal campaign finance reports are raising more questions about how the Colorado Republican Party spent money to help party Chairperson Dave Williams’ unsuccessful run for Congress. Williams’ campaign donated $60,000 to the party on June 20. The donation came after the Colorado GOP June sent a series of mailers to voters on Williams’ behalf. Williams and his supporters defended the spending, promising that the party would be made whole but refusing to explain how.

Colorado – Two-Week Trial Begins in Lawsuit Challenging Colorado’s Campaign Contribution Limits

Colorado Sun – Sandra Fish | Published: 7/16/2024

A trial is underway on a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn Colorado’s voter-approved state campaign contribution limits, which are among the lowest in the country. The case was brought by three Republicans, who, backed by lawyers from a conservative political nonprofit, argue the state’s limits benefit self-funding candidates who can bankroll their campaigns. Senior Assistant Attorney General Michael Kotlarczyk said Colorado has had limits on campaign donations for 50 years and many state-level political contests remain competitive.

Florida – Florida Supreme Court Disbars Ex-Miami-Dade Judge, Citing ‘Pattern of Dishonesty’

MSN – News Service of Florida | Published: 7/11/2024

Pointing to what it described as a “deliberate pattern of dishonesty,” the Florida Supreme Court disbarred Former Miami-Dade County Judge Miguel Mirabal, who was accused of wrongdoing in his campaign finance reports and making misrepresentations to a judicial-nominating panel. Mirabal was elected as a county judge in 2020 but resigned after less than four months on the bench amid an investigation. “The referee ultimately found that the errors in Mirabal’s campaign finance reports were too numerous and far too politically advantageous to be a mere accident,” the Supreme Court opinion said.

Georgia – Georgia Court Sets December Argument for Trump Appeal to Remove Willis

MSN – Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 7/16/2024

A Georgia appellate court scheduled oral arguments on Donald Trump’s appeal of a state court ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting the election interference case against the former president and several of his allies for December 5, one month after the election. Trump and eight co-defendants have sought to disqualify Willis and her office amid claims she had an improper relationship with an outside lawyer she appointed to lead the case.

Illinois – Lawyers for Illinois Ex-Speaker Madigan Ask Judge to Gut Indictment in Light of SCOTUS Ruling

MSN – Jason Meisner, Ray Long, and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/15/2024

Armed with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that scaled back a key federal bribery statute, lawyers for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan argued in a new filing that 14 counts of the indictment against him should be dismissed, in part because there is no proof Madigan agreed to use his official position for personal gain. Madigan’s lawyers say the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of former Portage, Indiana, Mayor James Snyder does not criminalize “gratuities,” gifts given to elected officials to express thanks for taking a favorable action.

Indiana – Indiana Inspector General Clears State Employees of Ghost Employment, but Suggests Changes

Indiana Capital Chronicle – Leslie Bonilla Muñiz | Published: 7/12/2024

The Indiana Office of the Inspector General cleared two state employees – a supervisor and a subordinate – of alleged ghost employment and more. But the office recommended the Management Performance Hub, which employs the pair, take steps to “avoid the future appearance of impropriety.” The inspector general received an anonymous complaint alleging the hub let a subordinate attend an out-of-state conference unrelated to her duties, that she did not attend the conference, and she was rarely in the office for about a year.

Indiana – Ex-Lawmaker Sean Eberhart Sentenced in Casino Corruption Case

MSN – Tony Cook (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 7/10/2024

Former Indiana Rep. Sean Eberhart was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison for pushing legislation favorable to a casino company in exchange for the promise of a future job with the company worth at least $350,000 a year. He was also given a $25,000 fine. Eberhart agreed to pay $60,000 in restitution to the state, an amount roughly the same as his annual compensation as a lawmaker.

Massachusetts – Fine Dining, Cigar Lounges, and TD Garden Suites: Here’s what happens when Beacon Hill’s most powerful pick up the tab

MSN – Matt Stout (Boston Globe) | Published: 7/12/2024

At some of the best restaurants and bars in Boston, those with an invitation gather at corner tables and in private rooms. Yet, for the top Democrats whose campaigns pay the tabs, permissive state campaign finance laws not only can create what one expert described as a “personal slush fund,” but also furnish a key means for maintaining power and control over their rank-and-file members, former lawmakers say. Massachusetts’ campaign finance rules are broad, allowing lawmakers to eat, drink, or travel on their campaign’s dime as long as they can show it is for the “enhancement of [their] political future” and is not “primarily for personal use.”

Nevada – Grand Jury Indicts Ex-Las Vegas Councilwoman Michele Fiore on Wire Fraud Charges

Nevada Independent – Tabitha Mueller | Published: 7/17/2024

A federal grand jury indicted Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas City Council member and current Nye County justice of the peace, on charges she defrauded donors of more than $70,000 for personal gain. The indictment says Fiore solicited donations during her time on the  city council to honor police officers killed in duty, promising “100 percent of the contributions” would be used to fund the creation of a statue memorializing the officers. But the funds were allegedly used by Fiore to pay her political fundraising bills, rent, and for her daughter’s wedding, among other uses.

New York – Trial to Decide N.R.A.’s Financial Future Begins in Manhattan

DNyuz – Danny Hakim and Kate Christobek (New York Times) | Published: 7/5/2024

New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking to give oversight of the National Rifle Association (NRA) to a court-appointed official for three years, a step the group vehemently opposes. During an earlier phase of the civil trial, Wayne LaPierre, the longtime chief executive, was found liable for misspending $5.4 million of the NRA’s money. New York has special jurisdiction over the NRA, which was founded in the state more than 150 years ago.

New York – The Lobbyist Dating Carl Heastie Was Just Laid Off. He Was Not Pleased.

New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 7/17/2024

The lobbyist who has been dating New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie was recently laid off from her job at a construction labor-management partnership. The decision prompted Heastie to call the labor group that employed her, In March, Heastie adopted a recusal policy in light of his relationship with Rebecca Lamorte that barred Heastie from meeting with officials from the Greater New York Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust and several affiliated organizations.

New York – In New York, Wage Theft Violators Get Millions in Government Contracts

ProPublica – Marcus Baram (Documented) | Published: 7/15/2024

Fedcap Rehabilitation Services helps find jobs for people with disabilities. Fedcap has received dozens of contracts worth more than $110 million from 10 New York City and state agencies, even though the company has committed millions of dollars in wage theft against hundreds of its workers. Under New York City and state procurement laws, contracting agencies are required to check vendors’ backgrounds, including for labor law violations, and award contracts only to those deemed “responsible.” But who is a “responsible vendor” is vaguely defined.

New York – Brianna Suggs, Targeted in FBI Raid in Turkish Straw Donor Probe, Is Still Working for Adams’ 2025 Campaign

Yahoo News – Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) | Published: 7/16/2024

Brianna Suggs, whose home was raided last November by the FBI as part of an investigation into campaign donations linked to Turkey, is still working for New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ political campaign despite not appearing in recent filings. During Adams’ 2021 run for City Hall, Suggs proved to be a formidable fundraiser for him. She has claimed credit for raising $18.4 million for the campaign.

North Dakota – North Dakota Lawmakers Work to Update Harassment Policy

North Dakota Monitor – Mary Steuer | Published: 7/16/2024

State Lawmakers are reviewing their workplace harassment policy following a rise in complaints to the North Dakota Ethics Commission. The policy, which dates back to 2018, outlines a process for reporting and investigating allegations of sexual harassment or discrimination-based hostility. It covers not just lawmakers, but legislative staff as well as third parties like lobbyists and media members. The policy puts legislative leadership in charge of receiving harassment complaints.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Loses Appeal to Shield Internal Investigations of Bribery Schemes from Release

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/14/2024

A federal judge blocked an appeal from FirstEnergy, potentially leading to the release of two internal investigations into the company’s bribery schemes that it has spent the past year fighting to keep secret. Alongside criminal probes in the matter, a cadre of investors in FirstEnergy have sued alleging securities fraud, given losses they incurred as news of the scandal tanked the company’s share price. In June 2023, the investors began mounting a legal effort to obtain copies of the investigations. FirstEnergy claimed the reports are protected by attorney-client privilege.

Oregon – Oregon Prosecutors Won’t Charge State Democratic Party Leaders, Convicted Crypto Exec with Breaking Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Killary Borrud (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 7/17/2024

Oregon Department of Justice officials announced they closed their investigation into a former cryptocurrency executive’s $500,000 political donation to the state Democratic Party in 2022 without finding enough evidence to prove the misreported contribution criminally violated state campaign finance laws. Nishad Singh, who in 2022 was an executive at FTX, sent the Democratic Party of Oregon its largest donation on record in the final weeks of the competitive election for governor.

Pennsylvania – Secret Bank Accounts, $1M Deficit Plague City as Official’s Corruption Case Is Repeatedly Delayed

Spotlight PA – Min Xian and Angela Couloumbis | Published: 7/11/2024

A federal judge has repeatedly granted delays in the case of a former public official accused of corruption as the Pennsylvania city he once ran and allegedly fleeced grapples with the fallout and a nearly $1 million budget deficit. Federal authorities charged Herm Suplizio, DuBois’ ex-city manager, and his former secretary, Roberta Shaffer, with felony conspiracy and program theft. Officials allege Suplizio diverted money that belonged to the small city into secret bank accounts he and Shaffer controlled but over which the city had no oversight. Suplizio, they allege, used some of that money to pay off his credit cards.

Texas – Years into Their Work, Denton Ethics Board Is Facing Burden of Proof to Bring Changes to Ethics Code

Denton Record-Chronicle – Christian McPhate | Published: 7/10/2024

The Denton Board of Ethics has been in the process of updating the city’s ethics ordinance, which has been rife with issues since its passage in 2017. Critics claim city leaders did not follow the standard ethics model used across the state but instead created a Frankenstein version that has been haunting the board for years. The code has been called an “embarrassment” by David Zoltner, a current board member, in part due to the burden of proof requirement. It requires complainants to become what Zoltner called “amateur prosecutors” and prove their case at a public hearing.

Utah – Utah Supreme Court Sides with Opponents of Redistricting That Carved Up Democratic-Leaning Area

MSN – Mead Gruver (Associated Press) | Published: 7/11/2024

The Utah Supreme Court handed a victory to opponents of redistricting that carved up Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County among four congressional districts that have since all elected Republicans by wide margins. The ruling will not affect elections this year. The Supreme Court sent the case back to a lower court to revisit the process for redrawing the state’s congressional boundaries.

National/Federal

Clinton Campaign Case to Prompt Review of Disclosure Exemption

Bloomberg Law News – Mike Vilensky | Published: 7/9/2024

The FEC “acted contrary to law” in dismissing a Campaign Legal Center complaint alleging campaign finance violations by Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and a PAC supporting her candidacy, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled. The complaint accused Clinton’s campaign committee of accepting millions of dollars in undisclosed coordinated contributions from Correct the Record in the form of opposition research, message development, surrogate training, video production, and press outreach.

Judge Denies Effort by Trump Co-Defendant to Have Charges Dismissed

DNyuz – Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 7/6/2024

The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s classified documents case rejected an effort by one of his co-defendants to have the charges he is facing dismissed by claiming he was the victim of a vindictive prosecution by the government. The co-defendant, Walt Nauta, who works as a personal aide to Trump, had accused prosecutors in the office of the special counsel, Jack Smith, of unfairly indicting him because he declined to help their efforts to build a case against the former president by testifying against him in front of a grand jury.

Immunity Ruling Leaves Judge Facing Tough Calls on Trump’s Election Indictment

DNyuz – Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 7/9/2024

The Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity will land back with the judge who is handling the case from which it sprang – the criminal prosecution of Donald Trump on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan will face a daunting task. She will have to make decisions about which of the indictment’s allegations can move forward and which will have to be tossed out. The Supreme Court has held that former presidents are completely protected against accusations arising from their core constitutional duties, but that they can face prosecution for unofficial acts they took while in the White House.

Broken Records: Citizens face growing obstacles to public records, and lawmakers make it worse

Jefferson Public Radio – Daniel Walters (InvestigateWest) | Published: 7/3/2024

A rising flood of records requests – driven by partisan tensions, technological innovation, corporate data mining, and “vexatious requestors” bombarding governments – have increasingly swamped under-resourced records agencies. Across the Northwest, citizens are facing longer wait times, steep fees, and other obstacles to obtaining government records the law says they deserve. It is also happening at the federal level, with average wait times doubling in the past decade, said David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida.

Former Social Security Watchdog Abused Her Authority, Investigation Finds

MSN – Lisa Rein (Washington Post) | Published: 7/3/2024

The Social Security Administration’s recently departed inspector general abused her authority and undermined the integrity of her office while under investigation for misconduct, a report from a committee of federal watchdogs found. Gail Ennis refused to steer clear of an inquiry into her leadership of an anti-fraud program that issued extraordinary fines on disabled and elderly people accused of disability benefit fraud, investigators found. The report said she obstructed the probe by refusing to be interviewed, ordering subordinates and witnesses to limit access to information, and at times seeking to mislead investigators.

A Billionaire Is Boosting a Major Defamation Lawsuit against Fox News

MSN – Jeremy Barr (Washington Post) | Published: 7/8/2024

Smartmatic, the voting technology company enmeshed in complex defamation lawsuits against Fox News and Newsmax, has a powerful new financial ally: billionaire tech entrepreneur Reid Hoffman, who is a co-founder of LinkedIn. Hoffman’s multimillion-dollar investment is intended in part to help the company sustain its costly litigation. Smartmatic has said the two news outlets smeared it by airing bogus claims of rigged vote counting in the 2020 election.

100 Years after Gaining Citizenship, Native Americans Face Barriers to Voting

MSN – Jim Saska (Roll Call) | Published: 7/8/2024

A century ago, Congress granted citizenship to Native Americans, providing them the right to vote. A report from House Administration Committee Democrats argues the nation has failed to keep that promise of voting rights because casting a ballot is too difficult in many indigenous communities. The report takes aim at state laws that require voter identification but do not recognize tribal IDs; the failure to provide voting-related materials in indigenous languages; and electoral maps that split native communities into different districts, diluting their political strength.

Ruling Boosts Social Media Free Speech Protections, Some Say

MSN – Gopal Ratnam (Roll Call) | Published: 7/9/2024

The Supreme Court’s decision on two cases challenging social media content moderation policies could expand protections for tech platforms under the First Amendment umbrella even if Congress were to dilute other protections, according to legal experts. Companies posting user content on the internet enjoy a broad shield under Section 230 of a 1996 law. Lawmakers who want such platforms to rein in harmful content have threatened to revoke the section and force stricter moderation of what gets uploaded. But the court’s decision opens the door to broader, more fundamental cover from the First Amendment.

Bipartisan Senate Group Proposes Ban on Congressional Stock Trading

MSN – Jacob Bogage and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 7/10/2024

Members of Congress and their families would face stiff penalties for trading stocks under new legislation from a bipartisan group of senators. The bill would bar members of Congress from buying and selling stocks and certain other investments and impose similar restrictions on lawmakers’ spouses and dependent children by 2027. Lawmakers would face a fine worth their monthly salary or 10 percent of the value of each improper investment if they violated the new rules.

Political Ads on Social Media Rife with Misinformation and Scams, New Research Finds

MSN – David Klepper (Associated Press) | Published: 7/10/2024

Political advertisements on social media are one of the best ways for candidates to reach supporters and raise campaign cash. But as a new report from Syracuse University shows, weak regulations governing online ads and haphazard enforcement by tech companies also make ads a prime source for misleading information about elections and an easy way for con artists to target victims. The research examined more than 2,200 groups on Facebook or Instagram that ran ads between September and May mentioning one of the presidential candidates. Combined, the ads cost nearly $19 million and were seen more than 1 billion times.

Democratic Lawmakers Seek Criminal Investigation of Justice Thomas

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 7/9/2024

Two Democratic U.S. senators announced they are seeking a criminal investigation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas over gifts of travel, a loan for a recreational vehicle, and other benefits he received from wealthy benefactors. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and Ron Wyden said they sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting he appoint a special counsel to probe whether Thomas violated ethics, false statement, and tax laws.

GOP Jump-Starts 2024 Election Challenges with Trump-Inspired Lawsuits

MSN – Amy Gardner and Isaac Arnsdorf (Washington Post) | Published: 7/10/2024

The Republican National Committee has expanded legal challenges to voting and election procedures in key swing states since March, when presumptive nominee Donald Trump installed new party leaders with a mandate to pursue his unsubstantiated claims of widespread cheating. Critics say the challenges are legally frivolous. But the cases are dangerous nonetheless, they argue, because they are meant to further erode public confidence in elections and lay the groundwork to overturn the results if Trump loses.

Supreme Court Ethics Remain at Center Stage After Hard-Right Rulings

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 7/5/2024

Legal experts say the Supreme Court’s recent blockbuster rulings coupled with ethics allegations against some of the justices have reinforced doubts among a large swath of the country over whether the nations’ highest court can be a neutral interpreter of the law. Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, sees the scrutiny directed at the court as a positive step. “I’ve long believed that Supreme Court justices should be treated like politicians when it comes to assessing their moral character and potential entanglements,” Roth said. “We have moved to that place, and I think that’s positive given how powerful the justices are.”

From the States and Municipalities

Arkansas – Arkansas Official Rejects Bid to Put Abortion Rights Measure on Ballot

MSN – Frances Vinall (Washington Post) | Published: 7/10/2024

Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston rejected petitions to put an abortion access measure on the ballot this fall, blaming a procedural error by the organizing group. Arkansans for Limited Government gathered more than 100,000 signatures in support of a ballot proposal to legalize abortion up to 18 weeks after fertilization, and exceptions afterward in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly, or threat of physical harm to the pregnant patient. The group has faced a significant challenge in promoting its constitutional amendment initiative in what is sometimes ranked as “the most pro-life state in America.”

California – Big LA County Reforms, Including Board of Supervisors Expansion, Clear First Hurdle

MSN – Frank Stoltze (LAist) | Published: 7/9/2024

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors moved forward with a wide-ranging proposal to dramatically change how county governance works. The measure would expand the board of supervisors from five to nine members and create a countywide elected executive position akin to a mayor. Another proposed reform would create an independent ethics commission designed to root out corruption by elected officials. Supervisors would need to take a final vote on the package of reforms by August 9 to get them on the November ballot.

California – California Lawmakers Enacted a Bill to Limit Local Pay-to-Play Politics. Is It Working in Sacramento?

MSN – Theresa Clift (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 7/11/2024

Alvin Cheung, a founding president of California Northstate University, last year donated $250 to Sacramento City Councilperson Mai Vang’s re-election campaign. That amount was just one dollar less than the limit that would have prohibited Vang, who was facing no challenger, from casting a vote expected later this year on whether to award the university a tax break to build a hospital. Senate Bill1439 went into effect January 1, 2023, as a way to combat “pay-to-play” politics.

California – After FBI Raids, Oakland City Council Kills Plan to Strengthen Government Watchdog

Oaklandside – Eli Wolfe | Published: 6/27/2024

The Oakland City Council defeated a modest proposal to strengthen an agency that investigates public corruption and ethics violations. The decision raised eyebrows among those witnessed the FBI raid the home of Mayor Sheng Thao and properties belonging to the city’s recycling contractor, California Waste Solutions. The council rejected a proposed ballot measure to improve the city’s Public Ethics Commission.

Colorado – Faith Winter Violated Colorado Senate Ethics Policy by Appearing to Be Intoxicated at Community Meeting, Panel Rules

Colorado Sun – Jesse Paul | Published: 7/8/2024

State Sen. Faith Winter violated the Colorado Senate’s ethics rules when she appeared to be intoxicated when attending a community meeting earlier this year in Northglenn, a legislative committee convened to investigate her conduct ruled. The Senate Committee on Ethics found that Winter, the chamber’s assistant majority leader, failed to meet the chamber’s ethics standards requiring that she promote public integrity and public confidence.

Connecticut – Did a CT Advocacy Group’s Email Violate Campaign Finance Law? SEEC Investigating

Connecticut Mirror – Andrew Brown and Ginny Monk | Published: 7/5/2024

The State Election Enforcement Commission is investigating a complaint alleging CT169Strong, an organization that has lobbied against Democratic-sponsored housing and zoning legislation in recent years, illegally assisted one of the group’s members who is running for a seat in the Connecticut Legislature. At issue is a message CT169Strong distributed in May as the group was lobbying against the so-called Work Live Ride bill, a piece of legislation that would have encouraged towns to approve more apartments near train and bus stations.

Georgia – Appeals Court Greenlights Campaign Finance Case Against Nonprofit Founded by Stacey Abrams

MSN – Robert Schmad (Daily Caller) | Published: 7/8/2024

A federal appeals court struck down an injunction blocking Georgia from enforcing a state campaign finance law against two nonprofits founded by former gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams. A complaint accused the New Georgia Project and the New Georgia Project Action Fund of illegally canvassing for Democratic candidates, including Abrams, during the 2018 midterm elections and failed to disclose millions of dollars in electioneering expenses.

Hawaii – Government Workers in Hawaii Get Paid Not to Work as Misconduct Investigations Drag on for Months or Years

Honolulu Civil Beat – Christina Jedra | Published: 7/10/2024

In Hawaii, “stay away” pay is the practice of giving public employees time off from work while they are investigated for alleged misconduct. Some 350 employees across more than two dozen state and county agencies were put on paid leave due to investigations into suspected wrongdoing from 2020 through 2023. An analysis shows paying these employees not to work cost taxpayers at least $9.5 million in that three-year period. When investigations, and therefore the paid leave, drag on for years, it can waste taxpayer dollars, cause already strained government offices to be stretched even thinner and reward bad behavior.

Hawaii – Honolulu Ethics Commission Says Number of Complaints Has Dropped

Honolulu Civil Beat – Matthew Leonard | Published: 7/8/2024

The Honolulu Ethics Commission says it cannot explain a dramatic fall in the number of complaints it received last year, but it is hopeful the decrease might be the result of more specialized training and expanded outreach. The number of ethics complaints the commission received in 2023 was the lowest since 2018, but the 160 it received in 2022 was a record. That spike could be attributed to the increased scrutiny of ethics rules following the guilty pleas of former state legislators Ty Cullen and Kalani English for taking part in a bribery scheme.

Illinois – Former GOP State Lawmaker, Candidate for Governor Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison

Northern Public Radio – Hannah Meisel (Capitol News Illinois) | Published: 7/10/2024

Former Illinois Sen. Sam McCann was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for stealing nearly $700,000 in campaign funds and attempting to conceal his theft with false reports to state election authorities. McCann pleaded guilty to seven counts of wire fraud and one count each of money laundering and tax evasion after prosecutors had spent nearly three days presenting evidence against him at trial. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Lawless said McCann’s refusal to “accept responsibility” until the last possible moment factored into her calculation for prison time.

Illinois – Fate of ComEd Bribery Defendants Could Be in the Dark for Months

WBEZ – Jon Seidel (Chicago Sun-Times) | Published: 7/9/2024

The fate of four people convicted in one of Chicago’s biggest corruption trials will remain up in the air for at least four months as a judge considers the full effect of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that threatens the jury’s verdict. The high court ruled a law prohibiting bribery among state and local officials did not also criminalize after-the-fact rewards known as “gratuities.” The law in question is involved in five of the nine counts in the Commonwealth Edison bribery case.

Indiana – For Indiana Democrats These Days, Every Year Is a Rebuilding Year

MSN – Brittany Carloni and Kayla Dwyer (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 7/10/2024

Indiana Democrats have not won a contested statewide race since 2012, and party factions disagree about how to turn that tide: whether to run moderate or progressive candidates, and whether to focus on rural or suburban communities. In the absence of an elected statewide party leader, there is a tendency among some to blame the party chair, while his defenders argue naysayers have an outsized view of what role the party should play. The Democratic Party and its top candidates also raise far less money than they used to in Indiana.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Faces Higher Quorum Hurdle Under New Law

Louisiana Illuminator – Julie O’Donoghue | Published: 7/8/2024

The Louisiana Board of Ethics will face challenges conducting its business over the next five months under a new state law that gives Gov. Jeff Landry more control over the body. In August, the number of members required to hold a meeting will jump from six to eight of the current 11 members. Ten of 11 board members, instead of eight, will need to be present for the board to move forward with investigations of a potential ethics violation, said Kathleen Allen, the board’s administrator. The ethics board already struggles at times to maintain a quorum under its current threshold.

Maine – The Young People Striving to Make Their Mark on Maine State Policy

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 7/8/2024

After Lianna Holden, a recent high school graduate from Lewiston, saw the devastation in her community from a mass shooting last fall, she took to the Maine Legislature to compel change. While testifying for the first time before lawmakers, Holden’s nerves were, for the most part, eclipsed by her knowledge of the legislative process. She had undergone training on grassroots lobbying, workshops on how to write testimony, and had been tracking the changing text and outcomes of gun bills and other legislation of interest to her and her classmates.

Missouri – Ozarks Nonprofits Reassert Political Neutrality After Drone Show with Campaign Message

MSN – Susan Szuch (Springfield News-Leader) | Published: 7/6/2024

A 15-minute-long drone show that included an endorsement for a Christian County Commission candidate left two nonprofits scrambling to assert their political neutrality, while highlighting a potential gray area in Missouri campaign finance law. Near the end of the display, which ran at the same time as the fireworks display, drones spelled out “VOTE JACKSON” in reference to Christian County Commissioner Bradley Jackson, who is up for re-election in November.

New Jersey – Can Pro-Trump N.J. Governor Candidate Keep His Popular Radio Show? State Just Ruled.

MSN – Brent Johnson (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 6/28/2024

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) took a wait and see approach when it comes to whether the morning radio show of gubernatorial hopeful Bill Spadea violates campaign finance law. ELEC said the show can continue, but it will keep a close watch on what the Republican candidate says on the program and could act later. The hearing addressed whether the show amounts to an in-kind campaign contribution from the station that exceeds the legal limit because of the name recognition and platform he receives.

New York – Hochul Nominates Ethics Commissioner as the Panel’s Future in Limbo

Albany Times Union – Brendan Lyons | Published: 7/3/2024

Gov. Kathy Hochul nominated a New York City attorney to fill one of three vacant positions on the state ethics commission, even as the future of that panel remains in limbo following a recent appellate decision that found it was created in violation of New York’s constitution. Hochul’s nomination of James Caras, who last year retired from his role as special counsel to the speaker of the New York City Council, will be subject to a seven-day public comment period before being presented to a review committee comprised of New York law school deans.

New York – How a New York Democrat Lost a Progressive Ballot Line to a G.O.P. Proxy

DNyuz – Nicholas Fandos (New York Times) | Published: 7/5/2024

When Mondaire Jones, a former Democratic member of Congress running for his old House seat, broke ranks and endorsed the primary opponent of U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman in a neighboring district, his longtime allies in the left-leaning Working Families Party were furious. It cancelled plans to campaign for former Jones in his comeback bid. Then things took an even more bizarre turn. The Working Families Party held what should have been a drama-free primary, but instead of nominating the liberal Jones, voters overwhelmingly chose the unlikeliest of alternatives as their nominee: a bankrupt local businessperson propped up by Republicans.

New York – NRA’s Ex-CFO Agreed to 10-Year Not-for-Profit Ban, Still Owes $2M for Role in Lavish Spending Scheme

MSN – Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 7/9/2024

The National Rifle Association’s (NRA) former finance czar, Wilson Phillips, has been banned for a decade from managing money for any nonprofit company in New York, the state’s attorney general said. Phillips agreed to the ban after a jury found him liable in a scheme to have the gun rights organization bankroll the extravagant lifestyle of the NRA’s longtime chief executive, Wayne LaPierre. Phillips still must pay $2 million in damages to the NRA for his role in concealing and enabling LaPierre’s spending.

Ohio – Ex-Lobbyist Serving 5 Years After Conviction in FirstEnergy Bribery Trial Argues Appeal

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/3/2024

A former lobbyist, sentenced to five years in prison after a jury found he bribed a political operative with $15,000 for private campaign information, argued to appellate judges that he did nothing illegal. Matt Borges, once the chair of the Ohio Republican Party who later worked for FirstEnergy Solutions, told judges on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals prosecutors relied on Borges’ use of mob-like language in text messages rather than their underlying substance when they accused him of racketeering.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Laws Don’t Bar First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson from Unpaid Work in Wife’s Administration

MSN – Jamie Goldberg (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 7/10/2024

First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson is allowed to volunteer in Gov. Tina Kotek’s office under state ethics laws as long as she does not personally benefit financially, ruled Susan Myers, executive director of the Oregon Ethics Commission. Myers provided the formal advice three months after the governor’s office asked the commission whether Kotek Wilson could develop, advise, and promote her wife’s priorities as a volunteer in the administration and whether the governor’s office could provide her with staff and resources to accomplish those goals.

South Carolina – A House Contest Where Race, Gerrymandering and the Supreme Court Loom Large

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 7/9/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court signed off on district lines in South Carolina that Republican state lawmakers said they had designed to benefit their party. The First Congressional District had previously been competitive but is now ranked solidly Republican by the Cook Political Report. The Supreme Court ruled the new district lines did not represent an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, overturning a federal three-judge panel. In dissent, Justice Elena Kagan wrote that the majority had cleared the way for discrimination by giving states a green light for “using race as a short-cut to bring about partisan gains.”

Tennessee – Appeals Panel Keeps 21-Month Sentence for Ex-Tennessee Lawmaker Who Tried to Withdraw Guilty Plea

Kentucky Today – Jonathan Mattise (Associated Press) | Published: 7/9/2024

A federal appeals panel is keeping a 21-month prison sentence in place for a former Tennessee senator who tried to withdraw his guilty plea on campaign finance law violations. Former state Sen. Brian Kelsey had pleaded guilty to charges related to his attempts to funnel campaign money from his state legislative seat toward his failed 2016 congressional bid. His attorneys argued prosecutors violated the plea agreement when they said a harsher sentence could be applied after he attempted to withdraw his plea.

Tennessee – Tennessee Attorney General’s Office to Election Finance Office: We’re ‘not an investigative agency’

Tennessee Lookout – Sam Stockard | Published: 7/11/2024

Despite a major funding increase for personnel over two years, the state attorney general’s office notified the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance it is “not an investigative agency” and the agency can find other options if it is not satisfied with the length of time it takes to complete probes. Deputy Attorney General Andrew Coulam said his office is a “law firm with only three investigators” specializing in Medicaid fraud and consumer protection and might not have the staff to do campaign finance investigation in just a few months.

Texas – West Texas Pastor Who Used Illegal Donations from Churches to Campaign for Office Is Fined $3,500

MSN – Jessica Priest (Texas Tribune) | Published: 7/8/2024

A pastor who used his parish’s resources to campaign for office and several pastors from other churches who donated to him were fined after the Texas Ethics Commission determined each violated election law. Scott Beard, the pastor at Fountaingate Fellowship church who was fined $3,500, showed a “lack of good faith” in accepting the donations and in posting campaign signs on church property for his unsuccessful Abilene City Council race despite warnings against doing so, the commission found.

Vermont – New Report Shows Who Has – and Hasn’t – Turned in Latest Campaign Finance Records

VTDigger.org – Shaun Robinson | Published: 7/10/2024

Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas released a set of lists naming which candidates have – and which ones have not – filed campaign finance reports with the state as of early July, a move she said would help shine a spotlight on those who are not following the rules. Candidates for the upcoming primary who did not file a July 1 report, about a third of some 300 running for state and county offices this year, are not necessarily out of compliance with state law, Copeland Hanzas said. She thinks it is likely, though, that some are.

Wisconsin – Ballot Drop Boxes Returning to Wisconsin Following Top Court Decision

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 7/5/2024

Liberals on the Wisconsin Supreme Court cleared the way for the use of absentee-ballot drop boxes, reversing a decision made by conservatives two years ago when they controlled the court. Ballot drop boxes were available for years in some Wisconsin communities, and their use was greatly expanded for the 2020 presidential election as voters turned to absentee voting because of the covid-19 pandemic. Top Wisconsin Republicans supported them at the time but turned against them after Joe Biden narrowly beat Donald Trump in the state.

National/Federal

Stephen Bannon Plans to Record His Podcast and Then Report to Prison

DNyuz – Ken Bensinger (New York Times) | Published: 7/1/2024

Immediately before reporting for a four-month sentence in federal prison, Stephen Bannon, the longtime adviser to former President Trump, will host the two final hours of his podcast from just outside the low-security facility in Danbury, Connecticut. Bannon lost his last-ditch bid to avoid incarceration after the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to postpone the sentence while he appealed a verdict that found him guilty of contempt for ignoring a congressional subpoena.

Departing FDA Staffers Told They Can Still Influence the Agency in Big Pharma Jobs: BMJ report

FiercePharma – Andrea Park | Published: 7/1/2024

Former FDA employees are prohibited from engaging in certain lobbying activities, but an investigation published in The BMJ claims the agency’s staffers are often advised of loopholes in those regulations on their way out the door. Internal emails reportedly show, for example, that FDA ethics staff telling two agency officials who had worked on COVID-19 vaccine approvals and who were moving on to roles at Moderna they could still work with the FDA indirectly, “behind the scenes,” from their new positions.

Supreme Court Orders Second Look at Texas and Florida Social Media Laws

MSN – Ann Marimow and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 7/1/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court ordered lower courts to take a second look at a pair of laws in Texas and Florida that would have prevented social media companies from removing certain political posts or accounts, saying the courts had not fully addressed the First Amendment issues at play. The justices voided the judgments of separate appeals courts that had reached opposite conclusions about whether the laws were constitutional, ordering both to perform a deeper analysis of whether the statutes violate the right to free speech.

Judge Cannon Orders Hearing for Trump to Challenge Mar-a-Lago Search

MSN – Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 6/27/2024

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon will hold a hearing for Donald Trump’s lawyers to challenge some of the evidence gathered against him for alleged mishandling of classified documents and obstructing government efforts to retrieve them. Cannon said “further factual development is warranted” when it comes to Trump’s challenge to the search warrant for his Florida home and private club. Trump is seeking to suppress much of the evidence by arguing that the search warrant was faulty.

Justices Strike Obstruction Charge for Jan. 6 Rioter, Likely Impacting Others

MSN – Ann Marimow and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 6/28/2024

Federal prosecutors improperly charged a January 6 defendant with obstruction, the Supreme Court ruled, a decision that will likely upend many cases against rioters who disrupted the certification of the 2020 presidential election and which Donald Trump’s legal team may use to try to whittle down one of his criminal cases. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said prosecutors’ broad reading of the statute gives them too much discretion to seek a 20-year maximum sentence “for acts Congress saw fit to punish only with far shorter terms of imprisonment.”

Supreme Court’s ‘Chevron’ Ruling Means Changes for Writing Laws

MSN – Michael Macagnone (Roll Call) | Published: 6/28/2024

A Supreme Court decision left an uncertain and more difficult path for Congress to shape how the federal government carries out laws on major issues such as environment, health, immigration, and more, lawmakers and legal experts said. The ring overturned a long-standing legal doctrine called Chevron deference, which required judges to defer to an agency’s interpretation when it comes to regulations about laws that are ambiguous. Instead, the opinion says judges should give that deference only when Congress explicitly says an agency can make its own decision.

Thomas Uses Trump Immunity Ruling to Question Jack Smith Appointment

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 7/1/2024

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas tackled a question in his presidential immunity opinion that Donald Trump’s attorneys did not bring before the nation’s highest court: Was special counsel Jack Smith legally appointed? Thomas argued both that the special counsel’s office needs to be established by Congress and Smith needed to be confirmed by the Senate. He said he tacked on his concurring opinion to the immunity ruling to “highlight another way in which this prosecution may violate our constitutional structure.”

Biden’s Lapses Are Said to Be Increasingly Common and Worrisome

Seattle Times – Peter Baker, David Sanger, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, and Kate Rogers (New York Times) | Published: 7/2/2024

Like many people his age, President Biden, 81, has long experienced instances in which he mangled a sentence, forgot a name, or mixed up a few facts, even though he could be sharp engaged most of the time. But people in the room with him more recently said the lapses seemed to be growing more frequent, more pronounced, and more worrisome. He is certainly not that way all the time. In the days since the debate debacle, aides and others who encountered Biden described him as being in good shape – alert, coherent, and capable, engaged in complicated and important discussions and managing volatile crises.

Ruling Accusing Former Miami Lawmaker of Campaign Finance Violations Tossed Out

WLRN – Jim Saunders (News Service of Florida) | Published: 7/1/2024

A federal appeals court tossed out a ruling that would have led to former U.S. Rep. David Rivera getting hit with a $456,000 fine in a case involving campaign finance violations. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a District Court judge improperly granted summary judgment to the FEC in the case, which involves allegations that Rivera secretly funneled money to try to undermine a Democratic rival in 2012.

Ruling Further Slows Trump Election Case but Opens Door to Airing of Evidence

Yahoo News – Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 7/2/2024

The Supreme Court’s decision about executive immunity makes it all but certain that Donald Trump will not stand trial on charges of seeking to overturn the last election before voters decide whether to send him back to the White House in the next one. But the ruling also opened the door for prosecutors to detail much of their evidence against Trump in front of a federal judge – and the public – at an expansive fact-finding hearing, perhaps before Election Day. It remains unclear when the hearing, which was ordered as part of the court’s decision, might take place or how long it would last.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Appeals Court Upholds Core of AZ ‘Dark Money’ Disclosure Law Voters Approved in 2022

Arizona Mirror – Caitlin Sievers | Published: 6/29/2024

A three-judge panel of the Arizona Court of Appeals upheld most of the Voters’ Right to Know Act, which passed in 2022. But it concluded a provision in the law that bars the Legislature from limiting the Citizens Clean Elections Commission from enforcing the “dark money” disclosure provisions is unconstitutional. The law aims to eliminate secret election spending by requiring political committees that spend at least $50,000 in statewide or legislative campaigns reveal the identities of individual donors who give more than $5,000, among other provisions.

Arizona – In CD1 Race, Mysterious Group’s Ads May Have Violated Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Laura Gersony (Arizona Republic) | Published: 6/28/2024

A group spending money in the race for Arizona’s First Congressional District has not registered with federal elections officials in what one expert said could be a violation of campaign finance law. The Turn AZ Blue PAC has bought television ads against congressional candidate Marlene Galán-Woods, one of the six Democratic candidates looking to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. David Schweikert. Records show the group has spent more than the sum that is often required for groups to register with the FEC, but it still has not done so.

California – Judge Denies LA Councilman John Lee’s Bid to Short-Circuit Ethics Commission Action

Courthouse News Service – Hillel Aron | Published: 7/2/2024

Los Angeles City Councilperson John Lee’s attempt to short circuit an Ethics Commission probe ended after a state court judge dismissed his lawsuit against the commission, though he can still make many of his legal objections to the probe in an administrative setting. Lee is accused of accepting gifts without disclosing them while he was working as the chief of staff for his predecessor, Mitchell Englander. Lee was identified in Englander’s indictment as “City Staffer B” and was accused by the commission of receiving a free hotel stay and $1,000 in casino chips, which Lee lost playing baccarat. He also received roughly $4,300 in free food and alcohol.

California – S.F. City Hall Corruption Scandal: Former city worker sentenced to prison for taking bribes

MSN – Carolyn Stein (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 6/28/2024

Cyril Yu, a former San Francisco Department of Building Inspection plan checker, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for taking $15,000 worth of bribes from a local developer in return for expediting building plans.  He must also pay a $20,000 fine. It marks the latest action in a public corruption probe city government that started with the arrest of former Public Works Chief Mohammed Nuru but included former employees and others working with the Department of Building Inspection.

California – ‘Recall Sheng Thao’ Campaign Refuses to Cooperate with Ethics Investigators, Faces Lawsuit

MSN – Darwin BondGraham and Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) | Published: 7/1/2024

The Oakland Public Ethics Commission filed a lawsuit against organizers of the recall campaign targeting Mayor Sheng Thao. The lawsuit alleges the recall’s backers have refused to hand over fundraising records sought by the commission, which is looking into allegations the recall supporters violated campaign finance laws.

California – California Gubernatorial Candidate Spent Big on Vienna Trip – with Her Spouse’s Firm

MSN – Christopher Cadelago (Politico) | Published: 6/27/2024

California gubernatorial candidate Toni Atkins paid $22,500 to the Global Policy Leadership Academy, where her longtime spouse is the firm’s chief executive officer and its sole shareholder. Atkins described the money as going toward a trip to Vienna, Austria in 2022. California law bars officeholders from using campaign funds for personal reasons such as giving to a spouse or domestic partner, experts said. Ann Ravel, former chair of the Fair Political Practices Commission, said the amount of money Atkins sent to the Global Policy Leadership Academy, a for-profit company, is not legal.

California – Reform Expert Robert Stern Joins LA Ethics Commission

MyNewsLA – Staff | Published: 7/2/2024

The Los Angeles City Council confirmed reform expert Robert Stern as the newest member of the Ethics Commission, marking the first time in several months that the five-member body has had all its seats filled. A nationally recognized expert in the fields of campaign finance and government reform, Stern was the first general counsel of the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

Colorado – Denver Clerk Applauds Passage of Campaign Finance Bill

LaVozColorado – Staff | Published: 7/3/2024

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston signed a campaign finance reform bill into law. It streamlines the Office of the Clerk and Recorder’s citizen complaint process and increases the office’s authority to levy penalties against candidates and committees who fail to report required information. Independent expenditure filers are also subject to new disclosure rules.

Florida – Judge Dismisses ‘Shakedown’ Lawsuit Allegations Against Alex Díaz de la Portilla

MSN – Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 7/3/2024

A judge dismissed allegations in a lawsuit against former Miami City Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla accusing him of attempting to “shake down” the operator of the Rickenbacker Marina by pressuring him to take on one of the commissioner’s associates as a business partner. Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mavel Ruiz ruled that, as an elected official, Díaz de la Portilla was protected by “legislative immunity” from claims leveled against him by former state representative and lobbyist Manuel Prieguez.

Hawaii – Mayor Signs Bill Further Limiting Value of Gifts City Employees Can Accept

MSN – KHNL Staff | Published: 7/2/2024

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed a bill aimed at bolstering public trust by further limiting the monetary value of gifts city employees can accept. The mayor said the measure was about bolstering transparency and accountability. “I cringe every time I hear people talk about corrupt politicians,” Blangiardi said.

Illinois – Pritzker Signs Bill to Increase Party Power in Primary Elections

WTTW – Andrew Adams (Capitol News Illinois) | Published: 7/2/2024

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzger signed a bill affecting primary election fundraising, the electoral college, and the state’s voter registration database. Under the new law, political parties will be allowed to transfer an unlimited amount of funds to candidates during primary elections. Another provision in the bill would change how the state handles the electors it sends to the electoral college during presidential elections.

Illinois – CTU Lobbyist Helped Craft Mayor’s Letter to Senate President at Heart of Springfield Selective Enrollment Fight

Yahoo News – Alice Yin and Jeremy Gorner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 6/27/2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s letter to Illinois Senate President Don Harmon vowing not to shut down selective enrollment schools was directly edited by a Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) lobbyist and was preceded by an earlier version that made no such promise. Harmon pointed to Johnson’s promise in the letter as evidence of the trust between the two officials. But public records reveal a CTU official helped craft the eleventh-hour letter that likely saved the union and Johnson from an embarrassing defeat in the statehouse, as well as an earlier, watered-down version.

Massachusetts – Ballot Question Fundraising and Spending Largely Hidden from Public View

CommonWealth Beacon – Gintautas Dumcius | Published: 6/30/2024

Voters in Massachusetts will weigh in on a slew of ballot questions this November, with the competing sides raising and spending millions of dollars trying to convince them which way to vote. But who is behind the barrage of spending aimed at persuading voters will be largely a mystery until weeks before the election. In contrast to state election laws governing candidates for office, which require regular reporting throughout the year on campaign donations and expenditures, ballot question committees operate under relatively lax reporting requirements.

Nebraska – Some Nebraskans Say Misleading Words Led Them to Sign Petitions on Abortion They Don’t Support

MSN – Margery Beck (Associated Press) | Published: 7/1/2024

The Nebraska Secretary of State’s office said it has received 91 affidavits from voters seeking to have their names removed from an abortion petition, claiming they were misled into signing. The vast majority, 67, came from those seeking to have their name removed from Protect Women and Children or other petitions seeking to ban abortions. Only seven had sought to remove their names from a petition to protect abortion rights.

New York – Giuliani Disbarred in N.Y. Over False Statements About 2020 Election

MSN – Patrick Svitek (Washington Post) | Published: 7/2/2024

Rudy Giuliani, the former personal attorney to Donald Trump, was disbarred in New York over his false statements about the 2020 election. The ruling found Giuliani “repeatedly and intentionally made false statements” about the 2020 election – “some of which were perjurious” – to courts, the public and state lawmakers. “In so doing, respondent … actively contributed to the national strife that has followed the 2020 Presidential election, for which he is entirely unrepentant,” the ruling said.

New York – Trump’s Sentencing in N.Y. Hush Money Case Postponed Until September

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 7/2/2024

Donald Trump’s sentencing in the New York election interference case was pushed back to September, as his lawyers seek to convince the trial judge his conviction should be tossed out after a Supreme Court ruling that presidents have immunity for official acts. The conduct at issue in the New York case was principally about paying hush money to an adult-film actress and then reimbursing Trump’s former lawyer for arranging the payment. But Trump’s legal team may also try to use the new ruling to attack the trial evidence, since the Supreme Court ruled evidence related to official acts of a president may not be presented to a jury.

North Carolina – Republicans: Veto override levels campaign finance playing field

Center Square – Alan Watson | Published: 6/27/2024

Republicans in North Carolina say they evened the playing field of national political parties on campaign finance following an override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto. Democrats had access to more money because the Democratic Governors Association had a regular PAC while the Republican Governors Association did not. Both parties’ super PACs could not give to state parties directly, while their regular PACs could. The new law clarifies language on definitions of the political committees.

North Dakota – Ethics Commission Sees Uptick in Campaign Complaints, but Lacks Rules to Enforce

Yahoo News – Mary Steuer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 7/1/2024

The North Dakota Ethics Commission has seen a rise in campaign-related complaints but lacks tools to address the allegations, Executive Director Rebecca Binstock said. Commissioners are considering adopting a new set of rules, so the board has more authority to investigate the complaints. There have been recent allegations of campaign fraud in North Dakota submitted to federal authorities.

Ohio – Lawsuit Challenges Ohio Law Banning Foreign Nationals from Donating to Ballot Campaigns

WCPO – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 6/28/2024

A new law banning foreign nationals and green card holders from contributing to state ballot campaigns in Ohio curtails the constitutionally protected rights of free speech and association, according to a lawsuit. Political committees involved in two ballot measures took money from entities that had received donations over the past decade from Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss, though any direct path from him to the Ohio campaigns is untraceable under campaign finance laws left unaddressed in the law. Wyss lives in Wyoming.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Schools Are Required to Teach the Bible, State Superintendent Says

MSN – Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) | Published: 6/27/2024

Oklahoma’s state superintendent mandated that all public schools teach the Bible in a move he said was meant to impart “historical understanding,” but critics say blurs the constitutional boundary between church and state. The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently rejected a proposed state-financed Catholic charter school, saying the first-of-its-kind religious public school violated the state and U.S. constitutions.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Commission Drops Investigation into Role of Gov. Tina Kotek’s Wife in Her Administration

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 6/28/2024

On a tie vote, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission decided to not pursue an investigation into whether Gov. Tina Kotek violated any ethics laws by elevating her wife’s role in her office. Commission members generally agreed a preliminary investigation produced no substantial evidence Kotek or her wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson, violated any ethics laws. It is unknown what role Kotek Wilson will have in the administration going forward.

Texas – Texas AG Ken Paxton Owes the State Thousands in Ethics Fines. Now His Own Agency Has to Collect It

MSN – Taylor Goldenstein (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 7/3/2024

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton owes more than $11,000 in fines for filing late campaign finance reports. His own office is charged with collecting the money. The campaign finance enforcement system in Texas is unusual. Ethics agencies in other large states, including California and New York, can file their own collections lawsuits without the attorney general’s involvement. In other states, such as Illinois, candidates who do not pay their ethics fines cannot get on the ballot.

Virginia – Judges Order Hate Groups to Pay Millions for 2017 Charlottesville Rally

MSN – Ellie Silverman (Washington Post) | Published: 7/1/2024

A federal appeals court restored more than $2 million of damages a jury said some of the nation’s most prominent white supremacists and hate groups owed for their role in 2017’s deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The ruling allows plaintiffs to collect, nearly three years after a jury said they were entitled to relief for the physical harm and emotional distress they incurred when white supremacists descended on Charlottesville in a weekend of hate.

National/Federal

Judge Skeptical About Request to Limit Trump Statements on F.B.I.

DNyuz – Alan Feuer and Eileen Sullivan (New York Times) | Published: 6/24/2024

The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s classified documents case posed tough questions to prosecutors who have asked her to bar him from making inflammatory statements that might endanger any FBI agents involved in the case. At a contentious hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon seemed disinclined to impose new conditions on Trump that would limit what he could say about the FBI.

The Ballot Measures Aim to Reduce Partisanship. Can They Fix American Politics?

DNyuz – Michael Wines (New York Times) | Published: 6/25/2024

Americans of both parties routinely express deep concern about the state of the country’s democracy. This fall, many voters may have a chance to do something about it, by voting on state ballot measures related to the nuts and bolts of elections and governance. Eight states appear all but certain to field ballot measures that would either overhaul redistricting or rewrite election rules to discourage hyper-partisanship and give voters a greater voice in choosing candidates.

Michael Flynn Has Turned His Trump-World Celebrity into a Family Business

DNyuz – David Fahrenthold and Alexandra Berzon (New York Times) | Published: 6/23/2024

Since leaving the Trump administration under an ethical cloud, Michael Flynn has converted his celebrity into a lucrative and sprawling family business. He and his relatives have marketed the retired general as a martyr, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for a legal-defense fund and then pocketing leftover money. A New York Times investigation found Flynn family members had made at least $2.2 million monetizing his right-wing stardom in recent years, with more than half of that going to Flynn directly. The reporting also raised questions about whether a nonprofit properly disclosed its payments to Flynn’s relatives.

Masks Are Going from Mandated to Criminalized in Some States

MSN – Fenit Nirappil (Washington Post) | Published: 6/24/2024

State legislators and law enforcement are reinstating dormant laws that criminalize mask-wearing to penalize pro-Palestinian protesters who conceal their faces, raising concerns among covid-cautious Americans. Immunocompromised Americans and civil libertarians who have criticized mask bans as a cudgel against protesters of police shootings, economic inequality, and environmental injustice say the bans are being revived because covid is no longer treated as a public health emergency.

Ronny Jackson, Wesley Hunt Face Campaign Ethics Probes Over Private Club Membership

MSN – Matthew Choi (Texas Tribune) | Published: 6/24/2024

U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt are under investigation for using campaign funds for private club memberships in a potential violation of campaign finance rules, according to the Office of Congressional Ethics Federal rules allow campaign funds for specific events at private clubs, but not typically for membership or unlimited access.

Judge Cannon Skeptical of Trump Claim FBI Mishandled Mar-a-Lago Search

MSN – Perry Stein and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 6/25/2024

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon signaled that Donald Trump’s legal team had not convinced her FBI agents offered false information to justify searching Mar-a-Lago, a potential blow to the former president’s efforts to disqualify key evidence in the classified documents case against him. Trump’s attorneys asked Cannon to grant what is known as a Franks hearing, a chance to show the government intentionally misled a magistrate judge when seeking a warrant to search for classified material at Trump’s Florida home and private club more than a year after he left office.

Supreme Court Wipes Out Anti-Corruption Law That Bars Officials from Taking Gifts for Past Favors

MSN – Charlie Savage (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 6/26/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the bribery conviction of James Snyder, the former mayor of Portage, Indiana, the latest in a series of decisions narrowing the scope of public corruption law. In their ruling, the court’s majority drew a distinction between bribery, which requires proof of an illegal deal, and a gratuity that can be a gift or a reward for a past favor. They said the officials may be charged and prosecuted for bribery, but not for simply taking money for past favors if there was no proof of an illicit deal.

Supreme Court Allows White House Contacts with Social Media Firms

MSN – Ann Marimow and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 6/26/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an effort to restrict White House officials and other federal employees from pressuring social media companies to remove posts from their platforms the government deems problematic, saying the challengers did not have legal standing to bring the case. The decision could have implications for efforts to combat foreign disinformation during a critical election year. The federal government largely halted its warnings to U.S. technology companies about foreign influence campaigns last year, after lower-court decisions that placed broad limits on such communications.

Robert Winnett Will Not Join Washington Post as Top Editor

MSN – Benjamin Mullin and Katie Robertson (New York Times) | Published: 6/21/2024

Robert Winnett, the editor selected to run The Washington Post, will not take up that position after reports raised questions about his ties to unethical news gathering practices in Britain. Winnett’s decision is the latest in a series of convulsions at The Post. Sally Buzbee, the paper’s executive editor, stunned the newsroom by abruptly resigning. That coincided with Lewis announcing a plan to drastically remake the newsroom. In the weeks since, numerous articles about Winnett and Lewis have raised questions about their journalistic ethics and past conduct.

Judge Cannon Asks about Attorney General Garland’s Oversight of Trump Trials

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 6/21/2024

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon pressed the special counsel team prosecuting Donald Trump to explain Attorney General Merrick Garland’s role in overseeing the classified-documents case and then criticized a lawyer on the team for being cagey with his response. The back-and-forth took place at the end of a four-hour hearing on Trump’s request to dismiss the case based on a widely disputed argument that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed to lead the investigation.

Should Doctors in Congress Earn Money for Their Side Job?

MSN – Justin Papp (Roll Call) | Published: 6/20/2024

House rules and federal ethics laws make it difficult for members of Congress who are physicians from practicing medicine while they are legislators. Rep. Andy Harris is advocating language in the fiscal 2025 Legislative Branch spending bill that would clarify the right of medical professionals to work for compensation while in Congress — though they would still be beholden to an annual second-income cap. Despite concerns from Democrats that the carve-out could create potential conflicts-of-interest and benefits a small subset of members, the language was included in the bill that the Appropriations Committee advanced.

How America’s ‘Most Powerful Lobby’ Is Stifling Efforts to Reform Oil Well Cleanup in State After State

MSN – Mark Olade (ProPublica) | Published: 6/24/2024

Across the country, more than 2 million oil and gas wells sit unplugged. Many leak oil and toxic or explosive gasses but the money held in cleanup funds is many millions of dollars short of the projected costs. As regulators and legislators seek to require drillers to set aside more money for the work, they have invited oil companies and trade groups to help write the regulations. This dynamic, politically expedient in states where the industry wields tremendous influence, has combined with secretive drafting processes and millions of dollars of industry lobbying to weaken or defeat proposals in various states.

Judge in Trump Documents Case Rejected Suggestions to Step Aside

Yahoo News – Charlie Savage amd Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 6/20/2024

Shortly after Judge Aileen Cannon drew the assignment to oversee Donald Trump’s classified documents case, two more experienced colleagues on the federal bench in Florida urged her to pass it up and hand it off to another jurist, according to two people briefed on the conversations. But Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, wanted to keep the case and refused the judges’ entreaties. Her assignment drew attention because she has scant trial experience and had previously shown unusual favor to Trump by intervening in a way that helped him in the criminal investigation that led to his indictment, only to be reversed.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Leaked TC Energy Recording Prompts B.C. to Probe Claims of Outsized Lobbying Influence on Government

Yahoo News – Matt Simmons (Local Journalism Initiative) and Mike De Souza (The Narwhal) | Published: 6/26/2024

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma asked a provincial watchdog to look into a series of bold claims about how an executive at a Canadian oil and gas company, who is a former New Democratic Party staffer, claimed the company had leveraged political connections to persuade the provincial government to significantly weaken its environmental policies. The executive, Liam Iliffe, began lobbying for TC Energy less than a year after leaving a senior strategic communications position in government.

Alabama – Alabama Town’s First Black Mayor, Who Had Been Locked Out of Office, Will Return Under Settlement

MSN – Associated Press | Published: 6/24/2024

Patrick Braxton will be recognized as mayor of the town of Newbern, Alabama, under the terms of an agreement to settle a lawsuit. It will end the dispute over control of the town government and pave the way for Braxton to take over as Newbern’s first Black mayor. Instead of holding elections for the past six decades, the sitting mayor appointed a successor, and that successor chose town council members. That resulted in an overwhelmingly white government in a town where Black residents outnumber white residents by a two-to-one margin.

Alaska – State Judge Upholds Most Fines Against Group Seeking Repeal of Alaska Ranked Choice Voting

Alaska Beacon – James Brooks | Published: 6/21/2024

Anchorage Superior Court Judge Laura Hartz ruled opponents of Alaska’s ranked choice election system violated state campaign finance laws in their effort to gather signatures for a repeal ballot measure. Hartz upheld almost all fines issued by the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) and concluded the state’s disclosure laws apply to ballot measures. APOC had issued more than $94,000 in fines in the case.

Arizona – Judge Disqualifies Himself from Lawsuit Challenging Ballot Measure on Judicial Retention

Arizona Capitol Times – Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) | Published: 6/25/2024

A judge recused himself from deciding the legality of a ballot measure that would give him and his colleagues lifetime appointments. But the move leaves unanswered who is qualified to hear the case. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner stepped away after noting the lawsuit involves a bid by lawmakers to scrap the 50-year-old system that requires judges appointed by the governor to have to stand for reelection on a regular basis. All judges in the state’s largest counties are part of that same retain-reject system of elections. That means each of them is in the same position as Warner, with the same stake in the outcome of the case.

Arizona – Maricopa County Didn’t Enforce Campaign Finance Laws. Now, Political Groups Owe Millions

MSN – Sasha Hupka (Arizona Republic) | Published: 6/24/2024

For at least four election cycles, the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office chose not to refer groups that had long failed to file reports or pay late fees to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for prosecution. That policy complies with state law. But some groups with large fines have not turned in the required paperwork in years, robbing county residents of vital and legally required information. Former Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said county election officials’ decision not to enforce campaign finance rules was “a dereliction.”

California – FBI Raid of Oakland Mayor Rocks City, Fuels Questions Over Family’s Political Influence

Yahoo News – Salvador Hernandez and Ruben Vives (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 6/22/2024

FBI agents raided the home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, casting a renewed spotlight on a years-long probe into the political influence, and campaign finance machinations, of one prominent local family. For five years, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission and the state Fair Political Practices Commission have been investigating allegations that executives at California Waste Solutions, namely members of the Duong family, used “straw donors” to circumvent donation limits and fill the campaign coffers of public officials.

Colorado – Capitol’s Alcohol Culture Under Scrutiny in Sen. Faith Winter’s Ethics Investigation

Colorado Politics – Marissa Ventrelli | Published: 6/23/2024

Friends and colleagues of Colorado Sen. Faith Winter argued a culture that normalizes alcoholism at the state Capitol is a contributing factor to her behavior at a Northglenn City Council meeting in April, which is now the subject of an ethics complaint. The city council had alleged Winter failed to uphold her official duties as a lawmaker when she attended the April meeting while appearing intoxicated. The Senate Committee on Ethics decided to investigate whether Winter violated the chamber’s ethics rules.

Florida – Government Watchdogs Will Lose Some Ethics Oversight Powers Under Bill DeSantis Signed

MSN – Ana Ceballos (Miami Herald) | Published: 6/21/2024

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly approved new restrictions on how watchdog commissions can investigate state and local officials for suspected public corruption and ethical violations, even as local officials say the move will likely result in less government oversight. Under the new law, state and local ethics panels will be allowed to investigate complaints against public officials only if someone with personal knowledge “other than hearsay” is willing to identify themselves by name and file a complaint under oath about suspected wrongdoing.

Illinois – Former Illinois Lawmaker Gets a Year in Prison for Cheating on Her Taxes

Chicago Sun-Times – Jon Seidel | Published: 6/21/2024

A federal judge sentenced former Illinois Sen. Annazette Collins to a year in prison for cheating on her taxes in a case with ties to the same investigation that snared indicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan. Prosecutors say she ultimately dodged more than $150,000 in taxes. The case revolved around Collins’ work with her lobbying firm, Kourtnie Nicole Corp., following her years in the Legislature.

Illinois – Ex-Ald. Ed Burke Hit with 2-Year Prison Sentence: ‘I regret the pain and sorrow I have caused’

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 6/24/2024

A federal judge sentenced former Ald. Edward Burke, the longest-serving city council member in Chicago history, to two years in prison after he was found guilty of racketeering, bribery, and extortion. Burke used his powerful position to force those doing business with the city to hire his private law firm. His trial included testimony from three dozen witnesses and 100 recordings made as part of a court-authorized wiretap and undercover efforts by former Ald. Danny Solis.

Maryland – Former Pr. George’s Councilman Mel Franklin Charged with Embezzlement

MSN – Katie Mettler, Latesha Beachum, and Jasmine Hulton (Washington Post) | Published: 6/20/2024

Former Prince George’s County Councilperson Jamel Franklin was charged in a felony theft scheme in which authorities say he embezzled at least $130,000 of his campaign funds to pay for personal expenses, including rent, loans, and cosmetic procedures for himself and a close friend. The charges come less than a week after Franklin abruptly resigned his seat as an at-large member of the council, a body he served on for nearly 14 years.

Michigan – Senate Symbolically Lets the Sunshine in as FOIA Reform Bills Advance to the House

Michigan Advance – Kyle Davidson | Published: 6/27/2024

Members of the Michigan Senate voted to advance an effort to expand the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Senate Bills 669 and 670 would expand FOIA to include the governor’s office and the Legislature, both of which are exempt under the current law. Michigan was previously ranked last among the states for government integrity. In a report from the Center for Public Integrity, Michigan failed in 10 out of 13 categories including public access to information, executive accountability, and legislative accountability.

Nevada – Commissioners Hit with Ethics Complaints for Attending Las Vegas Grand Prix

Las Vegas Review-Journal – Taylor Avery | Published: 6/25/2024

At least four Clark County commissioners are being investigated by the state ethics board for accepting tickets to last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. Commissioners Tick Segerblom, Ross Miller, Justin Jones, and Jim Gibson confirmed they had received a notice of the investigation from the Nevada Commission on Ethics. All the commissioners who attended the race disclosed the tickets on their financial disclosure reports except Segerblom. He filed an amended report to include the ticket, listing it under a section for reporting meetings, events, or trips.

Nevada – Nevada Judge Dismisses Case Against Trump Electors, Citing Jurisdiction

MSN – Nicole Markus and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 6/21/2024

A Nevada judge dismissed the case against six Republicans who submitted certificates falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner of the 2020 election. Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus ruled the state should have filed the case in another county. Prosecutors said they would appeal her decision.

New Jersey – Norcross Indictment Shows How NJ Looks the Other Way on Conflicts of Interest, Ethics Expert Says

Gothamist – Nancy Solomon | Published: 6/21/2024

New Jersey’s attorney general indicted Democratic Party boss George Norcross, former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, Norcross’s brother Philip, attorney Bill Tambussi, and two business partners on corruption charges. The inclusion of Tambussi, who is the Norcross brothers’ longtime personal attorney and represents dozens of government entities, highlights what ethics experts say is a serious shortcoming in the state’s ability to flag and deal with conflicts-of-interest as he was able to represent clients on different sides of a transaction for many years.

New Jersey – Radio Host Bill Spadea Attacks ‘Extralegal’ Push to Review Campaign Benefit of His Show

New Jersey Monitor – Nikita Biryukov | Published: 6/25/2024

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Spadea is arguing in a new campaign filing that his weekday radio show does not amount to an impermissible in-kind contribution to his campaign because it does not include direct appeals for his election. His two primary opponents are taking the opposite position, claiming the platform afforded to Spadea by the radio station amounts to aid well above the New Jersey’s campaign contribution limits.

New Mexico – Ethics Commission Asks Judge to Force Disclosure from Dark Money Group

New Mexico In Depth – Marjorie Childress | Published: 6/26/2024

The New Mexico State Ethics Commission is putting pressure on a “dark money” political group to comply with disclosure laws. The new group made a splash in April when it began airing radio ads, and its founder, Jeff Apodaca, promoted its political agenda on local radio shows. But unlike other political groups, the New Mexico Project did not disclose who contributed to the organization, or how it was spending the money. In a court filing, the commission laid out its case the group meets the criteria for registering as a political committee.

New York – Judge Partially Lifts Trump Hush Money Gag Order

MSN – Luc Cohen (Reuters) | Published: 6/25/2024

A New York judge partially lifted a gag order on Donald Trump following the former president’s conviction on criminal charges stemming from an effort to influence the 2016 election by buying the silence of a woman who slept with Trump. The revised order now allows Trump to speak publicly about witnesses in and eases a prohibition on his commenting about the jury but keeps in place restrictions on his statements about individual prosecutors and others involved in the case.

North Carolina – North Carolina Governor Vetoes Masks Bill Largely Because of Provision About Campaign Finance

MSN – Makiya Seminera (Associated Press) | Published: 6/21/2024

Despite changes made to North Carolina’s masking bill to quell concerns over the removal of a pandemic-era health exception Gov. Roy Cooper said he vetoed the legislation mostly for a different reason – a campaign finance provision tacked on during legislative negotiations. The clause would allow wealthy donors to give money to special federal political organizations that can then send the money to state and county parties.

Ohio – Judge Blocks Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens’ Access to GOP Campaign Cash, Gives Control to Opponents

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 6/21/2024

A judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing Speaker Jason Stephens from spending money from the Ohio House Republicans’ campaign fund, amid an ongoing political battle with opponents from within his own party, and instead hands control to his opponents within the GOP caucus. It could complicate the ability of the dozen or so GOP candidates running in competitive races this fall to get financial assistance from the Ohio House Republican Alliance, which traditionally spends millions of dollars every election year.

Oregon – Former Oregon Officials Will Pay $2,000 Each to Settle Ethics Complaint Over Amazon Deals

MSN – Mike Rogoway (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 6/26/2024

Three former public officials in Morrow County will each pay $2,000 to settle a state ethics complaint over their dealings with Amazon. Investigators say the officials sometimes failed to acknowledge they might benefit personally when they voted to award tax breaks to Amazon data centers and sell land to the company. Each held a stake in the fiber-optic company Windwave Communications that provides connections for Amazon. The company said it had no indication investigators were looking at Amazon in connection with its tax breaks and Windwave contracts.

Oregon – Portland Weighs Tweaking Public Campaign Finance Program to Allow Larger Donations

Oregon Public Broadcasting – Alex Zielinski | Published: 6/24/2024

Less than five months from a historic election, Portland may tweak campaign finance rules to stretch the city’s cash-strapped public financing program. City candidates were emailed a survey asking whether the Small Donor Elections program should loosen its rules around the amount and type of in-kind donations nonprofits and other political organizations can give candidates. The proposal has drawn both praise and alarm from those involved in city campaigns.

Texas – Former Houston Development Official and 2 Vendors Face Charges in $8.5M Public Funds Scheme

MSN – Mike Morris (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 6/21/2024

A former Midtown Redevelopment Authority official and two vendors are facing felony corruption charges, accused of misusing some $8.5 million in public funds meant to build affordable housing in Houston. Charged in the case are Todd Edwards, the agency’s former real estate manager, along with vendors Veronica Ugorji and Kenneth Jones. Midtown has spent millions of tax dollars acquiring almost 500 lots in the city. It took neighborhood residents years of digging to discover Midtown paid a company Edwards himself formed $2.1 million from 2011 to 2020.

Texas – U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Texas Woman Who Claims She Was Arrested Out of Political Retribution

MSN – Isaac Yu (Texas Tribune) | Published: 6/21/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court revived the civil rights claim of a Texas woman who had sued her city for what she claims was a politically motivated arrest. The ruling gives plaintiff Sylvia Gonzalez another chance to pursue her retaliation claim against the San Antonio suburb of Castle Hills. Gonzalez was arrested in 2019 for allegedly stealing a government document soon after taking office as city council member.

Vermont – Vermont to Pay $175,000 After Man Charged for Raising Middle Finger at State Trooper

MSN – Victoria Bisett (Washington Post) | Published: 6/27/2024

The state of Vermont agreed to pay $175,000 to settle a lawsuit filed after a man was charged with a crime for raising his middle finger at a state trooper. The American Civil Liberties Union’s Vermont chapter, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the man, accused state trooper Jay Riggen of subjecting Gregory Bombard to an “unnecessary traffic stop and retaliatory arrest” that violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights.

Vermont – To Fund Lawsuit Over Education Secretary, Senators Sought Donations

VTDigger.org – Ethan Weinstein | Published: 6/24/2024

Two state senators announced they were suing Vermont Gov. Phil Scott over his appointment of interim Education Secretary Zoie Saunders. Sens. Tanya Vyhovsky and Dick McCormack said they raised more than $11,000 to fund the lawsuit, but they declined to release the donors’ names. The unusual practice of raising funds to support the lawmakers’ lawsuit against Scott, and the reluctance to identify the donors, is a murky area not addressed in the state’s campaign finance disclosure laws.

Wisconsin – Former Deputy to Tearman Spencer Charged with Failing to Disclose Private Law Firm

MSN – Daniel Bice and Alison Dirr (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 6/27/2024

The top deputy of former Milwaukee City Attorney Tearman Spencer has been criminally charged, accused of falsifying financial disclosure forms by failing to disclose ownership of his private law firm while he was representing the city. Odalo Ohiku’s private firm had a criminal defense practice, the complaint notes, meaning it could have been handling cases critical of the Milwaukee Police Department, which lawyers in the city attorney’s office are responsible for defending against charges of illegal conduct.