On January 3, 2025, the U.S. Federal Register is scheduled to publish the Federal Election Commission’s announcement of its civil monetary penalty amounts, adjusted for inflation, for 2025.

The potential fines for civil violations of federal campaign finance laws will increase to range from $ 7,445 to $87,056, from the previous range of $ 7,256 to $ 84,852.

The amounts are calculated through a statutory formula applying the most recent “cost-of-living adjustment multiplier,” issued by the Office of Management and Budget, to the current amounts.

The amended civil monetary penalties are expected to take effect as of January 3, 2025, the publication date in the Federal Register.

On January 2, the U.S. Federal Register published proposals from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to amend regulations related to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). FARA requires the registration and reporting with the DOJ of persons acting within the U.S. as agents of foreign principals. The law also requires foreign agents to label the informational materials they distribute.

The DOJ is proposing new regulations regarding exemptions to FARA’s registration requirement, the filing and labeling of informational materials, and other issues to ensure the regulations keep pace with technological changes.

FARA has eight exemptions allowing a person engaging in otherwise covered activities for or in the interests of a foreign principal to be exempt from registration if certain criteria are met. The DOJ proposes changes when addressing exemptions for bona fide trade and commerce activities and activities not predominantly serving a foreign interest. They also want changes for the exemption of activities by attorneys in connection with certain proceedings, investigations, and inquiries.

The DOJ proposes defining  informational materials by regulation as any material that the person disseminating it believes or has reason to believe will, or which the person intends to in any way, influence any agency or official of the U.S. government or any section of the public within the U.S., with reference to formulating, adopting, or changing the domestic or foreign policies of the U.S. or with reference to the political or public interests, policies, or relations of a government of a foreign country or a foreign political party. They additionally propose significant changes relating to how informational materials must be labeled, including conspicuous statements with the name of the country or territory where the foreign principal is located.

The department is also proposing a series of technological provisions including how registration statements are filed, how registration fees are paid, the limited need for in-person public examination of registration statements when they are available online, the DOJ’s need for an agent’s business email address to expedite communications with the agent, and updates to the advisory opinion request procedure.

Public comments on the proposed rule changes will be considered until March 3, 2025.

Campaign Finance

National: “The Big Companies Funding Trump’s Inauguration Despite Denouncing Jan. 6” by Rebecca Ballhaus, Dana Mattioli, Shalini Ramachandran, and Maggie Severn (Wall Street Journal) for MSN

Maine: “Maine Delays Enforcement of Campaign Donor Limits” by Randy Billings (Portland Press Herald) for Yahoo News

Elections

Ohio: “Ohio Secretary of State’s Office Moves to Keep Little-Known Law from Tripping Up Transgender Candidates’ Campaigns” by Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Ethics

Alabama: “Alabama Ethics Bill Cited in Report on Attempts to Reduce Ethics Commission Powers” by Ralph Chapoco (Alabama Reflector) for Yahoo News

Illinois: “Mayor Brandon Johnson Faced Ethics Concerns Over Ties to Chicago Public Schools and Teachers Union, According to Memo” by Nell Salzman, Alice Yin, and Gregory Royal Pratt (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

Michigan: “Michigan Transparency Plans Die Again, Keeping Public in the Dark” by Simon Schuster for Bridge Michigan

National: “Social Media Companies Face Global Tug-of-War Over Free Speech” by Cecilia King and Adam Satariano (New York Times) for DNyuz

New York: “Trump Loses Appeal in $5 Million E. Jean Carroll Defamation, Sexual Abuse Case” by Perry Stein and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) for MSN

Virginia: “Former Virginia Sheriff Convicted of Bribery in Badges-for-Dollars Scheme” by Paul Duggan (Washington Post) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Hawaii: “Legislature May Take a Stand Against Decades of Pay-To-Play Politics” by Blaze Lovell for Honolulu Civil Beat

Missouri: “Missouri Ethics Commission Fines ‘Truth In Politics’ $250K for Defying Campaign Laws” by Claudette Riley (Springfield News-Leader) for Yahoo News

Elections

Georgia: “Court Rules Georgia Lawmakers Can Subpoena Fani Willis for Information Related to Her Trump Case” by Kate Brumback and Jeff Amy (Associated Press) for MSN

Ethics

National: “House Ethics Report Says Matt Gaetz Paid for Sex, Possessed Drugs” by Jacqueline Alemany, Justine McDaniel, and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) for MSN

Ohio: “No Trial Dates. Endless Disputes. Here’s Why the FirstEnergy Bribery Cases Are Mired in Delay” by Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “House Member in Assisted Living Draws Fresh Scrutiny to an Aging Congress” by Katie Edmondson (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Lobbying

California: “Number of Registered Lobbyists Jumps to a Record High in California” by Sameea Kamal (CalMatters) for MSN

National: “Foreign-Company Lobbyists Would Need to Register Under Proposed DOJ Regulation” by Dan Novak for National Law Review

Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill the vacant seat in House District 40B following the resignation of Representative-elect Curtis Johnson.

The special election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

If necessary, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

Johnson won the seat by more than 30% at the Nov. 5 election, but a district judge ruled last Friday the DFL candidate did not meet the residency requirement to serve the district.

Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for January 28, 2025, to fill the Senate District 35 vacancy caused by the resignation of Sen. Chris Cournoyer.

Cournoyer resigned effective December 16 when Gov. Reynolds appointed her lieutenant governor.

The new Lobbying Information System will be live on January 2, 2025.

The previous system will remain operational for filing reports from the 2023-2024 biennium, which are due January 15, 2025.

The Elections Division requests the reports be filed as soon as possible. The new system will use the same web address as the previous system and will be more intuitive and user friendly.

On December 19, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report on public financing programs in selected states and localities.

The report, required by the 2023 federal appropriations bill, attempts to describe several key characteristics of public campaign financing programs in selected states and localities, such as grant funding, matching funds plans, voucher programs, and qualification and participation requirements.

The GAO also interviewed officials from nine programs to obtain perspectives on candidate participation and reasons for and for not participating in the programs.

Additionally, the report looks at the various legal frameworks of the programs and how observations of campaign financing programs in other states and localities influenced aspects of the respondents’ own program structures.

According to the report, which is relying on a 2024 Brennan Center for Justice report, 14 states and 26 localities offer programs through which candidates running for state or local offices can use public funds to finance their campaigns.

Campaign Finance

New York: “Mayor Adams’ Campaign Faces Potential ‘Breach of Certification’ Finding Over Federal Corruption Case” by Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) for MSN

Elections

Georgia: “Fani Willis Disqualified from Trump Election Case by Georgia Appellate Court” by Holly Bailey (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Illinois: “Former AT&T Illinois Executive Accused of Bribing Mike Madigan Gets New Trial Date” by Tina Sfondeles and Jon Seidel (Chicago Sun-Times) for WBEZ

Ohio: “Former Cleveland City Councilman Basheer Jones Pleads Guilty to Federal Corruption Charges” by Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Indiana: “Indiana Sen. Greg Taylor Out as Democratic Leader Despite Denying Sexual Harassment” by Tony Cook; Kayla Dwyer, and Hayleigh Colombo (Indianapolis Star) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

Oregon: “New Lobbying Regulations Introduced in Portland Aim to Enhance Transparency and Oversight” by Samuel Hanson for Hoodline

Pennsylvania: “Are Lobbyist Emails to Lawmakers Public Records? A Pa. Court Will Decide.” by Angela Couloumbis for Spotlight PA

Rhode Island: “RI Advocacy Group Files Complaint Over McKee’s ILO Controversy. What to Know.” by Katherine Gregg (Providence Journal) for MSN

The Executive Branch Ethics Commission voted to raise the registration fee for Employers and Real Parties in Interest from $500 to $750.

This funding increase was authorized by House Bill 8, Section 61, passed during the 2024 regular legislative session for a new online filing system.

The executive agency lobbyist registration fee is paid with the updated registration statement due July 31 of each year and covers the July 1 to June 30 reporting period or through termination if occurring before June 30.

The updated registration statement forms have been updated to reflect this change.

The 135th General Assembly adjourned on December 18, until Monday December 23, 2024, after a marathon session lasting two days.

With not many days left in this legislative session, lawmakers have likely completed most of their work.

One bill affecting campaign finance was passed during the special session in May and June of this year.

Special Session Amended Substitute House Bill 0001 prohibits individuals and certain entities from knowingly soliciting or accepting political contributions or expenditures from a foreign national. The lone ethics bill intended to enact the Ethics and Financial Disclosure Reform Act, changing the ethics laws for public officials and employees and reporting requirements for lobbyists, never made it out of committee.

The 136th General Assembly will convene on January 6, 2025.

National/Federal

A Constitutional Convention? Some Democrats Fear It’s Coming.

DNyuz – Heather Knight and Katr Selig (New York Times) | Published: 12/16/2024

As Republicans prepare to take control of Congress and the White House, among the many scenarios keeping Democrats up at night is an event that many Americans consider a historical relic: a constitutional convention. The 1787 gathering in Philadelphia to write the Constitution was the only time state representatives have convened to work on the document. But a line in the Constitution allows Congress to convene a rewrite session if two-thirds of state Legislatures have called for one. Most states have long-forgotten requests that could be enough to trigger a new constitutional convention, some scholars and politicians believe.

New Watchdog Group Seeks Records About Efficiency Department’s Talks with Agencies

DNyuz – David Fahrenthold (New York Times) | Published: 12/18/2024

A watchdog nonprofit said it was asking 16 federal agencies to detail any interactions they have had with Elon Musk’s new budget-cutting effort. The State Democracy Defenders Fund was founded by Norman Eisen, who was an ethics official during the Obama administration. The group says its initial focus during the Trump administration will be the Department of Government Efficiency Department, which is not a government department, but a loosely organized effort run by Musk and another wealthy entrepreneur, Vivek Ramaswamy.

Justice Dept. Is Examining Special-Counsel Team That Investigated Trump

MSN – Perry Stein and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 12/18/2024

The Justice Department is conducting an internal review to determine whether special counsel Jack Smith and his team of prosecutors ran afoul of any agency regulations when prosecuting Donald Trump. The Office of Professional Responsibility opened the review after a prosecutor reported a defense attorney in one of Trump’s cases had accused him of misconduct. It is standard procedure for Justice Department prosecutors to make such reports when wrongdoing is alleged. The initiation of an internal review does not suggest the Justice Department believes any wrongdoing occurred.

More Former Members of Congress Win Election for Lower Office This Year

MSN – Nathan Gonzales (Roll Call) | Published: 12/18/2024

While hundreds of candidates spend tens of millions of dollars trying to get to Capitol Hill, a handful of lawmakers willingly leave Congress each cycle and run for state or local office. Inside the Beltway, the move is often portrayed as a demotion, but some of these former members find themselves representing more people in their new roles, along with having more influence and a better quality of life than when they served in Washington.

Opaque Nonprofit Donation to Shadowy Super PAC Raises ‘Several Red Flags’

MSN – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 12/12/2024

The super PAC Save Western Culture drew scrutiny ahead of the election as it spent nearly $1.4 million on controversial ads, mailers, and robocalls that boosted libertarian candidates and attacked Republicans in battleground Senate and House races, helping Democrats clinch some key seats. A $1.6 million donation the super PAC’s sole source of funding, from a newly formed nonprofit called Stop China Now Inc. was not disclosed until after Election Day.

Thirteen 2020 Fake Electors Will Cast Real Electoral College Votes for Trump on Tuesday

MSN – Marshall Cohen (CNN) | Published: 12/17/2024

Thirteen Republicans who participated in the 2020 fake electors plot, including some who are facing criminal charges, cast real Electoral College votes for President-elect Donald Trump, as electors in the states finalize his victory. The voting is largely ceremonial, but serving as an elector is an honor often bestowed upon party leaders and respected community members, not alleged criminals.

Judges Punt Retirement Plans After Trump Win, Raising Ethics Questions

MSN – Ella Lee (The Hill) | Published: 12/18/2024

A handful of federal judges appointed by Democrats have put off retirement plans in the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory, raising questions about the ethics of their decisions as judicial vacancies for the next administration dwindle. Legal experts said judges have discretion to decide when to retire, and while walk-backs are rare, it has become increasingly common to hinge those decisions on who is in the White House to pick their successors and in the Senate to confirm them.

House Ethics Committee Set to Release Investigation Report on Matt Gaetz

MSN – Jacqueline Alemany and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 12/18/2024

The House Committee on Ethic is set to release its report on former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a reversal for the panel that previously voted along party lines not to release the results of a long-running investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use. The committee’s turnaround was the culmination of a contentious debate over whether to release the report after Gaetz had resigned from Congress and withdrawn from consideration for attorney general.

New Charges Target Ex-Miami Congressman for Lobbying on Behalf of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tycoon

MSN – Joshua Goodman (Associated Press) | Published: 12/18/2024

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against former David Rivera for failing to register as a foreign agent of a sanctioned Venezuelan media tycoon on whose behalf the former member of Congress allegedly lobbied the Trump administration. The indictment is the second set of criminal charges to examine Rivera’s relationship with Raúl Gorrín, a billionaire businessperson charged in 2018 and again in 2024 with bribing senior Venezuelan officials in corrupt deals to embezzle state funds from Nicolas Maduro’s administration.

Trump and His Picks Threaten More Lawsuits Over Critical Coverage

Seattle Times – David Enrich (New York Times) | Published: 12/15/2024

A flurry of threatened defamation lawsuits is the latest sign the incoming Trump administration appears poised to do what it can to crack down on unfavorable media coverage. Before and after the election, Trump and his allies have discussed subpoenaing news organizations, prosecuting journalists and their sources, revoking networks’ broadcast licenses, and eliminating funding for public radio and television.

Massages and Country Clubs: Customer bills may be funding power companies’ lavish perks

Yahoo News – Mario Alejandro Ariza (Floodlight) | Published: 12/12/2024

Power companies across the country have been quietly trying to charge their customers for millions of dollars’ worth of luxury expenses, including access to exclusive country clubs and private jet travel, according to a new report from the Energy and Policy Institute , a utility watchdog. The regulated companies are only supposed to charge for expenses that directly benefit customers, such as upgrades to the electric grid. But the regulatory system allows gas and electric companies to also charge nonessential lobbying and advertising costs into customers’ electric bills, the report found.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – GOP-Linked Groups Want Court to End Voter-Approved Campaign Finance Requirements

Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 12/16/2024

Two groups that support Republicans are making a last-ditch effort to have the Arizona Supreme Court end campaign finance requirements that voters have approved. The goal of their legal effort is to let them keep secret who really is funding their efforts to influence elections. Lawyers for the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and the Center for Arizona Policy argue Proposition 211, adopted by voters in 2022, violates the free speech clause in the state constitution.

California – Los Angeles Times Owner Wades Deeper into Opinion Section

DNyuz – Katie Robinson (New York Times) | Published: 12/12/2024

After Donald Trump announced a cascade of cabinet picks, the Los Angeles Times prepared an editorial arguing the Senate should follow its traditional process for confirming nominees, particularly given the editorial board’s concerns about some of his picks and ignore Trump’s call for recess appointments. But the newspaper’s owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, told the opinion department’s leaders the editorial could not be published unless the paper also published an editorial with an opposing view.

California – Sales Tax Hike May Head to Special Election in April. Oakland Public Watchdog Funding Will Not

MSN – Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) | Published: 12/16/2024

The Oakland City council voted down a proposal to increase funding for the city’s oversight bodies, which carry out duties ranging from monitoring the police department to enforcing campaign finance rules. The tax would have raised $23.2 million yearly to fund the Public Ethics Commission, the city auditor, and two arms of the Oakland Police Commission. Good government advocates said these groups would be better shielded from political meddling if they had funding from dedicated tax dollars instead of relying on money from the general purpose fund, which the council has significant control over.

California – New Stanton City Council Nixes Tightest Campaign Finance Rules in OC

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 12/17/2024

The Stanton City Council decided to get rid of an ordinance before it went into effect that would have been the strongest campaign finance law in Orange County minutes after two new council members were sworn into office. Mayor David Shawver, who earlier voted in support of the ordinance, argued it was contrary to state law and would leave the city liable to lawsuits.

California – California Lawmaker Questioned in Sprawling Cannabis Corruption Investigation

Yahoo News – Anabel Sosa (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 12/12/2024

Documents made public by federal prosecutors allege a public official who fits the profile of California Sen. Susan Rubio was part of sprawling bribery scheme when she served on the Baldwin Park City Council and campaigned for state office in 2018. The information was revealed in a plea agreement in which former Baldwin Park City Attorney Robert Tafoya admitted his role in a cannabis bribery scheme and agreed to cooperate in ongoing public corruption investigations.

Colorado – Ethics Complaint Filed Against Embattled State Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis Over Alleged Aide Mistreatment

Colorado Sun – Jesse Paul | Published: 12/18/2024

A constituent of embattled Colorado Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis lodged an ethics complaint, alleging Jaquez Lewis has failed to uphold her office with integrity and the public interest by mistreating her Capitol aides. The complaint could lead to the most serious consequences yet for Jaquez Lewis, who has already been stripped of her committee assignments and barred from having state-paid staffers because of the aide allegations.

Colorado – Denver Gave $8M to Political Candidates in 2023. Now, It’s Considering Changes

Denverite – Kyle Harris | Published: 12/18/2024

The Denver City Council is considering changes to the city’s Fair Election Fund, a voter-approved program that gives public money to political candidates. The program has been praised for allowing more people to be competitive in fundraising, but it also has raised concerns as the city has awarded millions of taxpayer dollars to dozens of candidates.

District of Columbia – D.C. Council Committee Recommends Expelling Trayon White Over Rules Violations

MSN – Meagan Flynn and Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) | Published: 12/16/2024

A District of Columbia Council ad hoc committee voted to recommend that council member Trayon White Sr. be expelled from the council after an investigative report found “substantial evidence” he violated ethics rules when he allegedly accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes involving government contracts. The vote means the council may vote to expel White in early 2025. White, who has pleaded not guilty in a federal bribery case, will have at least 30 days to prepare a defense to his proposed expulsion.

Florida – Questions of ‘Pay to Play’ Linger Over Santa Rosa GOP Candidate Forum

MSN – Jim Little (Pensacola News Journal) | Published: 12/16/2024

Some candidates in the special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by Matt Gaetz felt like they had no choice but to donate $1000 to the Santa Rosa County Republican Executive Committee to participate in a candidate forum which has raised allegations of pay-to-play from one local lawmaker. State Rep. Alex Andrade said he is looking into the situation to decide whether to notify the Florida Division of Elections about the donation request he believes violated the law.

Illinois – Judge Denies Acquittal Bid for Ex-AT&T Boss Accused of Bribing Madigan

MSN – Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 12/12/2024

Three months after his trial ended in a hung jury, ex-AT&T Illinois boss Paul La Schiazza’s bid for acquittal was denied by a federal judge, who ruled prosecutors had shown ample evidence of a quid pro quo scheme to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan. The ruling not only sets the stage for a potential retrial for La Schiazza, but also comes as jurors in Madigan’s own corruption trial are hearing the same evidence of the alleged scheme to steer a do-nothing contract to ex-state Rep. Edward Acevedo to help win the powerful speaker’s support on key legislation in Springfield.

Illinois – Paper Tigers

MSN – Dan Petrella and Gregory Royal Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 12/15/2024

A key factor in Illinois’ pervasive political corruption is that public officials create systems of oversight that often thwart accountability for elected officials and government employees. A review of Illinois and Chicago ethics laws found consistent weaknesses, including restrictions on the types of misconduct watchdogs are permitted to probe, a lack of transparency when wrongdoing is uncovered because of limitations on how the results of investigations can be made public, and limited ability to impose sanctions on those found to have broken laws or ethics rules.

Iowa – Trump Sues Des Moines Register and Iowa Pollster, Escalating Attacks on Media

MSN – Elahe Izadi, Laura Wagner, and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 12/17/2024

Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register newspaper and its highly respected former pollster, adding to his ongoing legal attacks against news media companies. The suit – which names the newspaper’s parent company, Gannett, its former pollster J. Ann Selzer, and her polling firm – centers on a Selzer poll released three days before the presidential election that showed trailing Vice President Kamala Harris.

Maine – Maine Sued Over New Voter-Approved Campaign Finance Limits

Yahoo News – Randy Billings (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 12/13/2024

A national conservative group is suing to overturn new campaign finance limits approved by Maine voters in November. The Institute for Free Speech argues the initiative violates the Constitution by limiting free speech and forcing groups to disclose their donors, including those who donate less than $50. The Institute says the new law would prevent PACs from spending money they have already raised and unfairly excludes PACs controlled by political parties and those campaigning for ballot questions.

Massachusetts – Boston Considers Ethics Committee After City Councilor’s Arrest on Corruption Charges

MSN – Tréa Lavery (MassLive) | Published: 12/11/2024

At the first Boston City Council meeting since Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested by federal authorities and accused of running a kickback scheme, fellow Councilor Ed Flynn proposed creating a new committee focused on ethics. The charges are not the first scandal, or even the first arrest, to hit the city council in recent years.

Massachusetts – Fed Subpoena Revealed: Investigators wanted Fernandes Anderson’s notes, chats, images and more

MSN – Gayla Cawley and Joe Dwinell (Boston Herald) | Published: 12/17/2024

The federal grand jury subpoena sent to Boston City Hall in September set forth wide-ranging demands for detailed copies of now indicted Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson’s emails, drafts, and “Lotus notes” in a kickback probe that left no stone unturned. It also lists 22 secretaries and administrative assistants who have served under Fernandes Anderson in some capacity. The subpoena suggests they were at the crossroads of “electronic communications: of Fernandes Anderson’s alleged $7,000 kickback scheme.

Michigan – Lobbyists Spend Millions Wining and Dining Michigan Lawmakers, But Flawed System Prevents Public from Knowing Specifics

Deadline Detroit – Jack Armstrong, Miranda Dunlap, Lily Guiney, Andrew Miller-Thomas, Sarah Moore, and Chloe Trofatter (Eye on Michigan) | Published: 12/17/2024

A media investigation found Michigan’s system for tracking what lobbyists give to lawmakers is flawed, rife with loopholes, and relies on the honor system. Problems with the state’s attempt to bring transparency to officials’ interactions with lobbyists are compounded because many of the lawmakers who took the most gifts refuse to discuss why they accepted hundreds of free meals and trips. Despite the flaws in the system, Eye On Michigan found lobbyists spent more than $6.3 million on state lawmakers and officials between 2001 and 2023.

New York – $100,000 Loan for Porsche at Center of Charges Against Former Adams Aide

DNyuz – William Rashbaum, Dana Rubenstein, and Michael Rothfeld (New York Times) | Published: 12/18/2024

Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the former chief adviser to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, is expected to surrender on bribery charges involving two businesspeople who gave her son a $100,000 loan to buy a Porsche, several people with knowledge of the matter said. Her son, Glenn Martin II, and the other two men were also expected to surrender for arraignment on the charges, which are being brought by the Manhattan district attorney. The accusations grew out of a broad corruption investigation focused on Lewis-Martin, who recently announced her resignation hours before it was reported a grand jury was hearing evidence against her.

New York – US Supreme Court Leaves Former New York Lieutenant Governor’s Corruption Case Alive

MSN – Luc Cohen (Reuters) | Published: 12/16/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear former New York Lieutenant Gov. Brian Benjamin’s challenge to corruption charges in a case that involves the scope of federal bribery law, allowing the case to proceed. The Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office in 2022 charged Benjamin with funneling a $50,000 state grant to developer Gerald Migdol in exchange for the campaign contributions.

New York – N.Y. Judge Denies Trump’s Motion to Throw Out Hush Money Conviction

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 12/16/2024

A judge denied a motion by Donald Trump’s lawyers to throw out the president-elect’s 34-count felony conviction based on a broad U.S. Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity.  New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan ruled the high court’s expansion of presidential immunity did not negate Trump’s conviction for falsifying business records connected to a hush money payment to an adult-film actress.

New York – New York City Mayor’s Campaign Denied Millions in Public Matching Funds

MSN – Joe Anuta and Jeff Coltn (Politico) | Published: 12/16/2024

The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) announced it was withholding public matching money from Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection campaign, citing a federal criminal case against Adams involving straw donors and his campaign’s noncompliance with the board’s inquiries. The mayor had asked for $4.5 million. CFB Chairperson Frederick Schaffer noted Adams’ campaign would be able to appeal the decision.

New York – GOP Accuses Democrats of Rigging NY Public Campaign Finance System

MSN – Brendan Lyons (Albany Times Union) | Published: 12/13/2024

State Republican lawmakers are accusing Democrats on the New York Public Campaign Finance Board of ramming through a resolution that changed the rules governing campaign funds to retroactively benefit multiple Democratic candidates who had transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee. Republicans contend the resolution had not been on the board’s agenda. Democrats approved a resolution that allows transfers using non-public matching funds to be included in a surplus calculation for the total campaign expenditures.

North Carolina – NC Settlement with Robinson Campaign Over Errors Revealed

Carolina Public Press – Sarah Michels | Published: 12/18/2024

Nearly four years after it began, an investigation into the financial reporting of North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s campaign in 2020 has been completed, leading to fines and a settlement. Robinson’s campaign committee agreed to pay the State Board of Elections $35,000. In return, the board will not pursue any action against Robinson in court or require his committee to pay for the costs of the multi-year investigation.

North Carolina – NC Groups Host Desirable Trips Where NC Lawmakers, Lobbyists Can Mingle. Who Pays?

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 12/13/2024

Lobbyists and their clients are generally prohibited from taking North Carolina lawmakers on trips, or even buying them a meal. Legislative scandals 20 years ago pushed state legislators to pass a ban on most gifts from lobbyists and their clients. The law allows for exceptions, such as travel for some educational meetings. But social welfare nonprofits, labeled 501(c)(4)s in the federal tax code, have close ties to some state politicians. This year, two of the nonprofits were found to have hosted out-of-state trips with influential state lawmakers.

Ohio – Jimmy Dimora’s Sentence Commuted by President Joe Biden

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 12/12/2024

President Biden commuted the sentence of disgraced former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, ending his punishment for widespread corruption that landed him in prison for more than a decade and caused a complete overhaul of the county’s government. Dimora’s 2010 arrest exposed a corrupt scheme that he orchestrated with Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo. The duo gave county contracts to companies in exchange for money, trips, gifts, and favors.

Ohio – Republicans Stoked Fears of Noncitizens Voting. Ohio Shows How Rhetoric and Reality Diverge.

MSN – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 12/15/2024

Before the November presidential election, Ohio’s secretary of state and attorney general announced investigations into potential voter fraud that included people suspected of casting ballots even though they were not U.S. citizens. It coincided with a national Republican messaging strategy warning that potentially thousands of ineligible voters would be voting. The outcome and the stories of some of those now facing charges illustrate the gap between the rhetoric about noncitizen voting and reality. It is rare, is caught and prosecuted when it does happen, and does not occur as part of a coordinated scheme to throw elections.

Oregon – Portland Public Campaign Finance Deputy Slams Program Head in Searing Resignation; Director Fires Back

MSN – Shane Dixon Kavanaugh (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 12/17/2024

The deputy director of Portland’s public campaign finance program resigned abruptly in November, accusing his boss of bullying behavior and widespread mismanagement. Daniel Lewkow alleged Small Donor Elections head Susan Mottet fostered a toxic work environment that made his job untenable. Mottet characterizing her former deputy as a disgruntled subordinate who repeatedly failed “to perform his job competently.” The allegations mark the latest in a series of setbacks that have dogged the program.

Pennsylvania – Campaign Funds, Secretive Nonprofit Pay for Josh Shapiro’s Sports Tickets

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 12/17/2024

Gov. Josh Shapiro viewed a Villanova University basketball recently alongside a coach who has won two national championships. A few days later, he watched the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shapiro paid for neither ticket out of pocket. He attended the Villanova game on the dime of Team PA, a nonprofit that spent at least $12,000 last year on sports tickets for Shapiro. Its donors are anonymous. The NFL ticket was “covered with campaign funds,” said Shapiro spokesperson Manuel Bonder, who did not answer a question about whether the governor used money from his campaign fund to buy the ticket or if the ticket itself was donated.

South Carolina – ‘Questionable’ Transactions and Bowl Games. USC Office Misspent $1.7M in Public Funds, Audit Says

MSN – Alexa Jurado (The State) | Published: 12/11/2024

Using public funds for trips to the 2022 Gator Bowl, consistent overspending, and “questionable” financial transactions by a University of South Carolina office and its affiliates, are among findings in a critical new report by the state;s Legislative Audit Council. An investigation spanning 26 months found that the university’s Office of Economic Engagement misspent $1.7 million of grant money and potentially violated state ethics codes.

Texas – Watson, Greco Ethics Complaints Dismissed a Month after Austin’s Mayoral Election

Yahoo News – Kate Winkle (KXAN) | Published: 12/13/2024

The Austin Ethics Review Commission ruled Mayor Kirk Watson and mayoral candidate Doug Greco did not break campaign finance rules during the recent election. Watson and Greco were accused of exceeding the amount of money they can accept from those outside the city: $46,000. Because there is no requirement for donors to tell campaigns their home address, tracking whether campaigns are in compliance can be a challenge, according to James Cousar, who represented Watson in his preliminary hearing.

I just recently found that, in addition to many other holidays and observances that occur in December, it is also “Write To A Friend Month”!

I immediately thought to myself, “What a great time of the year to reach out to those friends I have been meaning to catch up with, and check in to see how they’re doing and re-connect!” Let’s face it – it’s been a rough year for a number of our friends (and some of ourselves). Reaching and re-establishing connections is a great mental health booster for you, and hopefully, it will also bring a little joy to the person on the receiving end of your outreach!

With the holiday season in full swing, adding re-connecting with friends should be essential on your to do list! Is there a friend whom you’ve recently thought about, wondering what they’ve been up to? Well, stop what you’re doing right now and reach out to them (or add this to your list of things to take care of asap)! We have been busy all year working and taking care of family and other obligations, why not take a little break now in the final month of 2024 to write a nice letter or email to a friend, or better yet, pick up the phone and give them a call?  How about scheduling some social time with them, like a coffee outing or lunch?  These are definitely on my radar for this month!

I wish you all a very happy, safe, and fulfilling holiday season!

On December 19, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register seeking public comment on proposed regulations giving political contributors more privacy from public scrutiny.

The proposals would establish procedures for contributors or their agents to request the FEC to modify or redact, in whole or in part, certain contributor information from disclosure reports or statements filed with the agency.

Examples of information to be removed include mailing addresses, donors’ occupation and names of employment.

The procedures would apply only in certain limited circumstances when there is a reasonable probability the contributor may face threats, harassment, or reprisal.

Comments must be received on or before February 18, 2025. All comments will be made available to the public. Comments sent using the FEC’s online form or through e-mail will be posted to the FEC’s website. Comments sent via paper will be converted to PDF and then posted on the FEC’s website.