Ethics Archives - State and Federal Communications

February 17, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

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

February 16, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

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

February 13, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – February 13, 2026

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

National/Federal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Embattled Labor Secretary Has History of Questionable Spending That Eluded Congress

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

State Election Officials Brace for Possible Trump Interference in Midterm Results

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

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

From the States and Municipalities

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

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

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

California – Anaheim’s City Manager Resigns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Virginia – Virginia Democrats Quickly Approve Proposed Redistricting Map

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

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

February 12, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

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

February 11, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

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

February 10, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

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

February 6, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – February 6, 2026

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

National/Federal

Don Lemon Arrested by Federal Officials in Connection with Church Protest

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

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

Justice Department Releases Large Cache of Additional Epstein Files

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

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

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

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

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

DOJ Misconduct Complaint Against D.C. Federal Judge Dismissed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Election Officials Grapple with a Brain Drain as Threats Rise

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

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

Standoff Over ICE Tactics Could Trigger Another Partial Government Shutdown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the States and Municipalities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

California – Oakland Councilmember Asked City Contractor to Fund Her Nonprofit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kentucky – KY Legislature Considers Ethics Commission Changes Amid Grossberg Case

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 5, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

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

February 4, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

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

February 3, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Maryland: “Moore Campaign Accepted, Then Returned, Donations from Executive Tied to Firm Seeking State Contract” by Jeff Barker (Baltimore Sun) for Yahoo News Elections Texas: “In Texas, Democrats Narrow GOP’s U.S. House Majority, Win Upset in State Senate” […]

January 30, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – January 30, 2026

National/Federal Judge Blocks Government from Searching Data Seized from Post Reporter MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/21/2026 Government officials may not examine electronic devices seized from a Washington Post reporter until litigation stemming from the search of […]

National/Federal

Judge Blocks Government from Searching Data Seized from Post Reporter

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/21/2026

Government officials may not examine electronic devices seized from a Washington Post reporter until litigation stemming from the search of her home is settled, a federal judge ruled. The order was issued hours after the newspaper demanded in a court filing that federal law enforcement officials return the electronic devices the government seized from staff reporter Hannah Natanson’s home. The extraordinary search “flouts the First Amendment and ignores federal statutory safeguards for journalists,” The Post told the court.

Judge Warns Trump Administration from Changing Plaintiffs Immigration Status in First Amendment Case

MSN – Michael Casey (Associated Press) | Published: 1/22/2026

A federal judge ruled that group of academics, who are party to a lawsuit alleging U.S. policy singles out noncitizens for detention or deportation over their pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses, can seek relief from the court if their immigration status is changed as retribution for taking part in the case. The decision from U.S. District Court Judge William Young comes in the wake of trial last year, in which he ruled the Trump administration violated the Constitution when it targeted non-U.S. citizens for deportation solely for supporting Palestinians and criticizing Israel.

Senate Democrats to Block Government Funding After Second Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis

MSN – Riley Beggin (Washington Post) | Published: 1/25/2026

Senate Democrats plan to block a sweeping government funding package after U.S. Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, killed a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, in Minneapolis, and a partial shutdown now looks likely. It is the third shooting by federal agents in the city in January Democrats said they could not vote for legislation to continue U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s funding without changes to how the agency operates.

In 16 Shooting Incidents Since July, No DHS Officers Have Faced Charges

MSN – David Nakamura and Olivia George (Washington Post) | Published: 1/27/2026

Department of Homeland Security officers have fired shots during enforcement arrests or at people protesting their operations 16 times since July, and as in the recent shootings in Minneapolis, in each case the Trump administration has publicly declared their actions justified before waiting for investigations to be completed. None of the officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol, or Homeland Security Investigations has faced criminal charges in any of the shootings, nor has the administration announced any internal disciplinary measures against them.

Millions in Bets Ride on What Trump Will Say, Do, or Invade Next

MSN – Lisa Bonos (Washington Post) | Published: 1/28/2026

Betting on political events on prediction markets has grown sharply in recent months. There is $129 million at stake on political markets on Kalshi, the company said. About 370,000 people are staking more than $90 million on politics at Polymarket. Many of those wagers hinge on actions by President Trump or his administration. The growth of prediction markets and the popularity of wagers on the actions of politicians and the U.S. government have sparked concern about insider trading, market manipulation, and the incentives for government insiders to influence the outcomes others are betting on.

Political Ad Spending Is Projected to Reach a New High in 2026 Midterms

OpenSecrets – Carolyn Neugarten | Published: 1/20/2026

The 2026 elections are on track to become the most expensive midterm cycle in U.S. history, driven in large part by huge increases in political advertising. According to AdImpact’s Political Projections 2025–2026 report, spending on political advertising is estimated to reach $10.8 billion in the next cycle, over 20 percent higher than in 2022.

How a Democratic Heavyweight Is Using AI in the Midterms

Yahoo News – Jessica Piper (Politico) | Published: 1/27/2026

A Democratic opposition research firm is putting massive troves of its work product online ahead of the midterm elections and using artificial intelligence to help everyone from campaigns to podcasters figure out how to navigate the information. The project from American Bridge 21st Century reflects an expansion of its efforts ahead of the 2026 elections, as well as the evolving nature of political campaigning, including opposition research, in an increasingly fragmented media environment.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Lobbyists and Lawmakers Mingle Over Luxury Tequila, Shrimp and Cigars at Capital Party

MSN – Yue Stella Yu (CalMatters) | Published: 1/21/2026

Hundreds of politicians, staffers, and lobbyists attended the annual “back to session bash” in Sacramento, funded by tribal groups, sports betting companies, and other special interests aiming to influence them. The signature event at the beginning of each year of legislative action is one of many political gatherings at which lawmakers and their staff are invited to mingle with special interests. It offers a glimpse into the perks available to California politicians and shows how special interests buy access to policymakers who they hope to influence.

Colorado – Former Colorado State Senator Convicted of Felonies for Fabricating Letters Amid Ethics Investigation

Colorado Sun – Jesse Paul | Published: 1/28/2026

Former state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis was convicted of attempting to influence a public servant and multiple counts of forgery for fabricating letters of support to the Colorado Senate Ethics Committee to try to avoid sanctions amid an investigation into her alleged mistreatment of Capitol aides. Prosecutors said they planned to ask that Jaquez Lewis be sentenced to probation. She resigned from the Senate in February 2025 amid the ethics probe.

District of Columbia – Jack Evans, Who Left D.C. Council Amid Scandal, to Run for Chairman

MSN – Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) | Published: 1/27/2026

Jack Evans resigned from the District of Columbia Council in 2020 after being repeatedly accused of using his public office for private gain. Now, the former lawmaker is once again attempting a political comeback, seeking to return to the body that unanimously recommended his expulsion for ethics violations. This time he hopes to lead the council, challenging the chairperson, his former colleague Phil Mendelson.

District of Columbia – Longtime D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton Files to End Reelection Bid

Roll Call – Matt Brown | Published: 1/25/2026

Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House for more than three decades, will not seek a 19th term in office. During her tenure in Congress, Norton built a reputation as an intense fighter on behalf of the city. She has repeatedly led legislation for. statehood, with the measure advancing out of the House in 2020 and 2021, when Democrats controlled the chamber. More recently, though, Norton generated more attention over concerns about her age and effectiveness.

Georgia – FBI Executes Search Warrant Seeking Ballots from Fulton County’s 2020 Election

MSN – Ben Brasch and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 1/28/2026

The FBI executed a search warrant at the elections warehouse of a Georgia county at the heart of right-wing conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s efforts to challenge the narrative of his loss that year. The warrant authorized agents to seize all physical ballots from the 2020 election, voting machine tabulator tapes, images produced during the ballot count, and voter rolls from that year.

Illinois – As Chicago Ethics Board Surpasses 6 Months Without a Leader, Enforcement Actions Stall

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 1/26/2026

The Chicago Board of Ethics, which has been without a permanent leader for more than six months, was forced to cancel two recent meetings, stalling several probes into campaign finance law violations, nepotism in city hiring, and bribery. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s failure to name a new ethics board chair has infuriated good-government advocates who are again demanding that he do more to combat Chicago’s reputation as the most corrupt of corrupt American cities.

Indiana – Hogsett Allies Routinely Benefit from No-Bid City Contracts

Yahoo News – Tony Cook, Jordan Smith, and Peter Blanchard (Indianapolis Star), and Emily Hopkins (Mirror Indy) | Published: 1/27/2026

Joe Hogsett’s first policy announcement while running for mayor of Indianapolis in 2015 was an ethics reform package that included a promise to reduce no-bid contracts. A media investigation found that after a decade in power, Hogsett’s administration continues to regularly award contracts without a competitive process. The result: his administration has spent millions of taxpayer dollars with little public vetting, sometimes on contracts involving his top campaign donors and close advisers, including his disgraced former chief of staff, Thomas Cook.

Kansas – Kansas Bill Targets Crypto’s Shadowy Path into Campaign Coffers

WebProNews – Andrew Cain | Published: 1/27/2026

Kansas lawmakers are moving to close a persistent gap in campaign finance rules, targeting cryptocurrency donations that have long evaded state oversight. A new bill introduced in the 2026 legislative session seeks to impose clear regulations on digital asset contributions, echoing warnings from the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission dating back years.

Louisiana – District 6 Councilman Cleve Dunn Jr. Indicted in Baton Rouge Corruption Probe

Yahoo News – Bria Gremillion (WVLA) | Published: 1/28/2026

Baton Rouge Caity Councilperson Cleve Dunn Jr. was indicted on multiple charges, including theft and money laundering. The indictment stems from Dunn’s alleged role in the misuse of money intended for the Capital Area Transportation System (CATS). It is alleged Dunn was tied to the indictments of former CATS Chief Administrative Officer Pearlina Thomas, contractor Jarion Colar, and Terral Jackson and his wife, Erica Jackson, that were handed down recently.

Maryland – Baltimore Inspector General Accuses City of Blocking Access to Records Amid Dispute

MSN – Todd Karpovich and Ruben Castaneda (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 1/27/2026

City Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration has blocked her office’s ability to manage and monitor its own investigative files, leaving her unable to determine whether sensitive data has been “compromised.” Cumming said she notified law enforcement partners and whistleblowers that the Office of the Inspector General no longer has the ability to track who can access investigative, ethics, and whistleblower records.

Maryland – Maryland Launches New Tools to Make Campaign Finance Easier to Access

Yahoo News – Janis Reeser (Hagerstown Daily-Mail) | Published: 1/26/2026

The Maryland State Board of Elections launched an upgrade to its campaign finance disclosure systems, designed to improve transparency, accuracy, and public access to information. It aims to streamline the way candidates, committees, and businesses report their financial activities related to campaigns.

Minnesota – Bondi’s Injection of Voter Roll Demands into Minneapolis ICE Tensions Draws Claims of ‘Ransom’

MSN – Tierney Sneed and Fredreka Schouten (CNN) | Published: 1/27/2026

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s demand that Minnesota hand over sensitive voter registration records to the federal government amid tensions over ICE and immigration enforcement underscores the importance of the administration’s nationwide data grab that is facing resistance in multiple states and has stumbled in the courts. The Justice Department has already sued Minnesota and 23 other states for the voter data, but Bondi recently urged Gov. Tim Walz to help “bring an end to the chaos,” by turning over the records, among other requests.

Minnesota – Three Arrested in St. Paul Church Protest as Judge Rejects Charges Against Don Lemon

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck, Perry Stein, and Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 1/22/2026

A judge in Minnesota rejected federal prosecutors’ attempt to criminally charge journalist Don Lemon in relation to his presence during a protest at a St. Paul church, an extraordinary rebuke of a Justice Department that has drawn criticism for its forceful response to demonstrations against immigration enforcement efforts. Department officials announced the arrests of a prominent civil rights lawyer and two others in connection with the church demonstration. The protest at Cities Church in St. Paul has become a flash point in the debate over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

Minnesota – Man Arrested After Spraying Unknown Substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar at Minneapolis Town Hall

MSN – Laura Bargfeld and Hannah Schoenbaum (Associated Press) | Published: 1/28/2026

A man sprayed an unknown substance on Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and was tackled to the ground during a town hall in Minneapolis, where tensions over federal immigration enforcement have come to a head after agents fatally shot Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Omar continued speaking for about 25 more minutes after the man was ushered out by security, saying she would not be intimidated.

Minnesota – Democrats Visit 5-Year-Old Who Was Detained in Minneapolis, in a Case That Stirred Anger Over ICE

MSN – Valerie Gonzalez, Eric Gay, and Bill Barrow (Associated Press) | Published: 1/28/2026

U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett visited a five-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father at a Texas federal detention center, in a case that has stirred anger over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and given fuel to Democrats and others who are pushing back against Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s actions. The meeting was part of Democrats’ midterm-election-year effort to conduct congressional oversight and highlight the consequences of President Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota and elsewhere.

Minnesota – Minnesota Prosecutors Face Uphill Battle If They Charge Feds in Fatal Shootings

MSN – Daniel Barnes (Politico) | Published: 1/28/2026

If Minnesota officials try to prosecute the federal agents who recently killed two people in Minneapolis, they will face steep obstacles from a century-old Supreme Court precedent, one that helped sink a similar case just a few years ago. The 2017 shooting of Bijan Ghaisar by two U.S. Park Police officers in a Northern Virginia neighborhood, and the protracted legal battles that followed, may be the best preview of what Minnesota officials can expect if they pursue criminal charges against federal immigration agents.

Minnesota – Sen. Amy Klobuchar Launches Bid for Minnesota Governor: ‘We cannot sugarcoat how hard this is’

MSN – Jeff Zeleny (CNN) | Published: 1/29/2026

Sen. Amy Klobuchar launched her bid for governor of Minnesota, pledging to unify her state and move beyond a deadly battle with the federal government over immigration. Klobuchar is seeking to govern Minnesota during an extraordinarily fraught moment. The state has become the epicenter of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which has sparked waves of outrage and protest from residents, particularly after two fatal shootings of protesters by federal agents.

Missouri – Missouri Governor Withdraws Ethics Nominees Amid Fight Over Gerrymandered Map

Yahoo News – Jason Hancock (Missouri Independent) | Published: 1/28/2026

Gov. Mike Kehoe withdrew two nominees to the Missouri Ethics Commission after Democrats pointed out the appointments were based on a congressional map that Republicans contend is no longer valid. Sen. Stephen Webber raised a formal objection to four nominees to the commission. The appointments are based on congressional districts, Webber noted, and Kehoe relied on the map approved by lawmakers in 2022. But Republicans are in court arguing the newly gerrymandered map, which passed four months ago, is in effect.

New Jersey – ‘Terrifying Abuses of Power’: Judge hears arguments over leadership arrangement at New Jersey prosecutor’s office

MSN – Ry Rivard (Politico) | Published: 1/23/2026

A federal judge heard arguments about whether the Trump administration is illegally running the U.S. attorney’s office in New Jersey. After Trump loyalist Alina Habba stepped down in December, Attorney General Pam Bondi put three people in charge of running the prosecutor’s office. Now the same judge who first ruled Habba was serving illegally, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brann, is considering the legality of what he called this “triumvirate of attorneys.” The arrangement has never been used before in American history.

New York – Ingrid Lewis-Martin Accepted Diamond Earrings to Help Developers Dodge Inspections, New Filings Allege

The City – Greg Smith | Published: 1/27/2026

Ingrid Lewis-Martin, once former New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ closest advisor, faces a variety of pending criminal charges, including allegations she accepted bribes from two developers in exchange for making their problems with city building inspectors disappear.. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg recently detailed concerns raised by a top buildings department official who was concerned a planned hotel renovation Lewis-Martin was pushing was potentially unsafe. According to the official, the developer ignored demands from the Department of Buildings for information on whether the hotel could meet fire safety rules.

North Carolina – Lack of Lobbying Disclosure for $15 Million NC Road Project Leads to Policy Change

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 1/28/2026

No surprises. That is the intent of a new North Carolina Association of Regional Councils of Governments policy regarding any lobbyists it hires. It was adopted after one of its member councils accepted $15 million in state money on behalf of a developer building a road in Mooresville without knowing its lobbyist represented the developer too.

North Dakota – North Dakota Ethics Rule Changes Address Bad Faith Complaints

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 1/28/2026

The North Dakota Ethics Commission adopted several updates to its complaint process, including a change that allows complaints filed in bad faith to be dismissed. Legislators in 2025 directed the commission to create a process to handle bad faith complaints amid concerns that public officials were using complaints as a weapon to harm their political opponents. The amended rules consider bad faith complaints to include those filed “to harass or impugn the reputation” of the accused.

Ohio – Ohio Ethics Agency Prohibits Legal Defense Funds for Public Officials

Blue Water Healthy Living – Laura Bischoff (Columbus Dispatch) | Published: 1/22/2026

The Ohio Ethics Commission said public officials are not allowed to solicit or accept money for their legal defense in civil cases from sources they are trying to do business with, are regulated by, or have interests in officials’ agencies. Anyone elected, appointed, or employed by a public agency, whether paid or unpaid, in Ohio would be governed by the opinion.

Ohio – Ohio Ethics Commission Kills Charter School Disclosure Rule After Political Pressure

MSN – Laura Hancock (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/29/2026

The Ohio Ethics Commission put the brakes on a recently passed rule that would have required officials overseeing charter schools to file financial disclosures after state legislative leadership objected to the requirement. Senate President Rob McColley and House Speaker Matt Huffman wrote a letter to the commission, accusing the panel of making changes “by executive fiat.” The lawmakers objected to the requirement by saying it was unfair, since traditional public school boards and board candidates only must file disclosures if they serve over 12,000 students.

Ohio – Ohio HB6 Scandal Trial Set to Begin Tuesday for Ex-FirstEnergy Executives

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/26/2026

For the first time since Ohio’s House Bill 6 scandal broke more than five years ago, a trial has begun for former FirstEnergy executives on accusations they used the utility’s deep pockets and political influence to carry out what officials have called the largest bribery scheme in Ohio history. Former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and the company’s former top lobbyist, Michael Dowling, face charges that they bent state regulators to their will and bribed Public Utilities of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo with $4.3 million.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Agency Sues Vendor Over Ethics Reporting System Debacle

Yahoo News – Barbara Hoberock (Oklahoma Voice) | Published: 1/22/2026

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission filed suit against a Texas vendor for allegedly failing to deliver a campaign finance reporting system despite repeated assurances and deadline extensions. The failure of RFD & Associates cost the state over $800,000, according to Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who is representing the agency.

Oklahoma – State Rep. Ajay Pittman Resigns and Pleads Guilty to Three Felonies

Yahoo News – Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) | Published: 1/28/2026

State Rep. Ajay Pittman resigned from office and pleaded guilty to three felonies for trying to fool the Oklahoma Ethics Commission with a falsified check. Under a plea deal, she was put on probation for seven years. Her resignation was part of her plea deal. She also agreed not to seek state office again for seven years.

Rhode Island – Home, Office Security Would Be Eligible for Campaign Funds Under R.I. Senate Bill

Yahoo News – Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 1/23/2026

As threats and acts of violence against elected officials increase nationwide, the Rhode Island General Assembly will consider letting candidates for office use campaign funds for personal security. New legislation would add home and office security systems to the list of ways state and local candidates can spend campaign money during an election cycle.

Tennessee – How Tennessees Speaker of the House Helped Keep a Payday Lender’s Struggling Sports Gambling Company Alive

MSN – Adam Friedman (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 1/27/2026

The owners of a payday lending company faced a crisis in March 2021 when their other business, a now-defunct sports gambling operation, was under investigation by Tennessee regulators. The couple, Michael and Tina Hodges, had already turned to of the House Speaker Cameron Sexton in 2014 to create a new triple-digit interest loan called a “Flex Loan.” Now they needed Sexton’s help keeping their fledgling gambling business, Action 247, afloat as it tried to compete with sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings.

Texas – Nacogdoches Council Passes Lobbying Ordinance in Split Vote

Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel – Nicole Bradford | Published: 1/22/2026

The Nacogdoches City Council passed an ordinance requiring lobbyists to register with the city and pay a $150 fee. City staff defined lobbying as attempting to influence city policy or a council vote in exchange for some form of compensation. The ordinance also expands on the city’s conflict-of-interest provisions.

Vermont – Facing ‘Precarious’ Future, Vermont State Ethics Commission Seeks Financial Lifeline from Lawmakers

Vermont Public – Peter Hirschfeld | Published: 1/28/2026

Paul Erlbaum, a commissioner on the State Ethics Commission, pleaded with members of the Senate Government Operations Committee for two additional staff members. Without the move, Erlbaum said, “the continued existence of the commission is precarious.” In 2024, the Vermont Legislature established a uniform code of ethics for town and city governments, and directed the Ethics Commission to provide training, advice, and guidance on how to uphold it. Lawmakers, however, failed to provide the commission with additional resources to fulfill those duties.

Virginia – Judge Rules Virginia Democrats Violated Law with Redistricting Amendment

MSN – Gregory Schneider (Washington Post) | Published: 1/27/2026

A circuit court judge in rural Tazewell County ruled against the redistricting effort started by Virginia Democrats, declaring the process they used to create a proposed constitutional amendment is invalid. Democrats immediately pledged to appeal and said they expect a referendum on the matter to go ahead this spring as planned. Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. wrote that his ruling “PROHIBITS the proposed amendment from being submitted to the voters for their consideration.”

Washington – Bipartisan Campaign Finance Bill Drafted by Sen. Wilson Makes Quick Trip Through Committee

Yahoo News – Jacob Moore (Centralia Chronicle) | Published: 1/23/2026

A bipartisan group of state senators in Washington introduced a bill to increase transparency in campaign finance by standardizing reporting schedules for political groups with the Public Disclosure Commission. If passed and signed into law, Senate Bill 5840 would require political committees and other groups that spend money to support or oppose ballot proposals or candidates to participate in more frequent financial reporting.

January 29, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Kansas: “Kansas Bill Targets Crypto’s Shadowy Path into Campaign Coffers” by Andrew Cain for WebProNews Ethics Minnesota: “Man Arrested After Spraying Unknown Substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar at Minneapolis Town Hall” by Laura Bargfeld and Hannah Schoenbaum (Associated […]

January 28, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Washington: “Bipartisan Campaign Finance Bill Drafted by Sen. Wilson Makes Quick Trip Through Committee” by Jacob Moore (Centralia Chronicle) for Yahoo News Elections Washington DC: “Jack Evans, Who Left D.C. Council Amid Scandal, to Run for Chairman” by […]

January 27, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Maryland: “Maryland Launches New Tools to Make Campaign Finance Easier to Access” by Janis Reeser (Hagerstown Daily-Mail) for Yahoo News National: “Political Ad Spending Is Projected to Reach a New High in 2026 Midterms” by Carolyn Neugarten for […]

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