Gregory Bennett, Compliance Assistant II, has been a critical member of the State and Federal Communications, Inc. team, and especially our compliance department, since 2019. During his time, Greg has gone above and beyond, significantly contributing to the compliance department’s growth and success.

Born and raised in the Akron area, Greg graduated from the University of Akron in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in mass media communications and a minor in political science. His first foray into the legal world was at a local law firm that specialized in foreclosure law.

“It was good crossover for working here with similar office work experiences and working with legal documentation,” he explained.

In 2018, Greg came to State and Federal Communications, Inc. by way of a staffing agency. He had the chance to prove himself to the leaders of the compliance department when working on a special project while he was a temporary employee. In 2019, State and Federal Communications, Inc. asked him to become a full-time, permanent employee.

“They had me assisting on a special project we did for a client, and it was a massive project with a lot of moving parts. I was able to look through data and collate it so that we were able to determine what we needed to do for our client. That gave me a lot of experience and I’ve been working on additional special projects since,” he explained.

While special projects are a huge part of the job, as a compliance assistant, Greg also supports the compliance department with administrative tasks, like filing, organization, and sending reminders and requests for information to clients.

In addition to all that, Greg and his colleagues in the compliance department have helped develop and structure and standard procedures for compliance assistants.

“When I started, there was not a compliance assistant structure. There was just one flat level of compliance assistant. By Ellen and I working on special projects and being able to assist in ways that are beyond the initial scope, that is what really helped us talk about creating a second level,” Greg recalled.

By going above and beyond, our compliance assistants, like Greg, help our compliance managers focus on our clients and meet their compliance needs.

“The leaders of the compliance department have given us the opportunity to rise above and not just be content with doing the base work that needs to get done to keep the department flowing. I’ve been grateful for that opportunity. It feels like the work has been getting done, and we’ve been seeing that bear out with how much our clients have been satisfied, how we have been getting more clients, and how the compliance department has been growing.”

Campaign Finance

New York: “US Supreme Court Leaves Former New York Lieutenant Governor’s Corruption Case Alive” by Luc Cohen (Reuters) for MSN

Elections

National: “Thirteen 2020 Fake Electors Will Cast Real Electoral College Votes for Trump on Tuesday” by Marshall Cohen (CNN) for MSN

Florida: “Questions of ‘Pay to Play’ Linger Over Santa Rosa GOP Candidate Forum” by Jim Little (Pensacola News Journal) for MSN

Ohio: “Republicans Stoked Fears of Noncitizens Voting. Ohio Shows How Rhetoric and Reality Diverge.” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Sales Tax Hike May Head to Special Election in April. Oakland Public Watchdog Funding Will Not” by Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) for MSN

Massachusetts: “Fed Subpoena Revealed: Investigators wanted Fernandes Anderson’s notes, chats, images and more” by Gayla Cawley and Joe Dwinell (Boston Herald) for MSN

New York: “N.Y. Judge Denies Trump’s Motion to Throw Out Hush Money Conviction” by Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) for MSN

Pennsylvania: “Campaign Funds, Secretive Nonprofit Pay for Josh Shapiro’s Sports Tickets” by Stephen Caruso for Spotlight PA

The Bureau of Elections posted the Lobby Registration Act 2025 Reporting Thresholds, which change every year in January to reflect the change in the consumer price index for Detroit.

The registration thresholds for individual lobbyist compensation and for employer expenditures on a single official increased from $775 to $800.

Exempt expenditures remain unchanged for 2025 at $16.

The registration threshold for an employer making lobbying expenditures increased from $3,075 to $3175 for any 12-month period.

The financial transaction threshold between a registered employer or lobbyist and a public official increased from $1,550 to $1,600.

The reporting threshold for travel and lodging reimbursements increased from $1,000 to $1,025. The monthly food and beverage expenditures allowance for a public official increased from $76 to $79, and the threshold for food and beverages purchased between January 1 and the end the reporting period remains unchanged for 2025 at $475.

Employee reimbursements increased from $31 to $32, and the general gift threshold also increased from $76 to $79.

Late filing fees increased from $31 a day up to a maximum of $930, to $32 a day up to a maximum of $960.

Lobbying and campaign finance thresholds increase January 1, 2025, to reflect changes in the consumer price index.

The thresholds for lobbyist compensation and reimbursement increased from $1,870 to $1,930.

Lobbyist expenditures increased from $940 to $970 per calendar quarter, not including expenditures for an individual’s travel, food, lodging, or membership dues.

If a lobbyist does not intend to exceed $2,220 during a calendar year in expenditures, the lobbyist may file an annual report due on January 10.

Salary reporting thresholds have also increased.

Compensation or reimbursement required to be reported must be reported as an exact amount if the compensation or reimbursement received exceeds $1,112,200.

Regarding campaign finance, a general-purpose and specific-purpose committee may not accept political contributions or expenditures totaling more than $1,080 without filing a campaign treasurer appointment.

Other changes include the threshold at which a contribution from an out-of-state PAC requires certain paperwork increased from $1,080 to $1,110.

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “GOP-Linked Groups Want Court to End Voter-Approved Campaign Finance Requirements” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

New York: “New York City Mayor’s Campaign Denied Millions in Public Matching Funds” by Joe Anuta and Jeff Coltn (Politico) for MSN

Texas: “Watson, Greco Ethics Complaints Dismissed a Month after Austin’s Mayoral Election” by Kate Winkle (KXAN) for Yahoo News

Ethics

California: “California Lawmaker Questioned in Sprawling Cannabis Corruption Investigation” by Anabel Sosa (Los Angeles Times) for Yahoo News

Washington DC: “D.C. Council Committee Recommends Expelling Trayon White Over Rules Violations” by Meagan Flynn and Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump and His Picks Threaten More Lawsuits Over Critical Coverage” by David Enrich (New York Times) for Seattle Times

South Carolina: “‘Questionable’ Transactions and Bowl Games. USC Office Misspent $1.7M in Public Funds, Audit Says” by Alexa Jurado (The State) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “A Constitutional Convention? Some Democrats Fear It’s Coming.” by Heather Knight and Katr Selig (New York Times) for DNyuz

Q: My employer is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a parent corporation. Does a parent corporation, a subsidiary, or other affiliated entity have its own contribution limit or must the contributions be aggregated and have a shared limit?

A: The answer varies and is jurisdiction-dependent.  If a limit is shared, the parent, subsidiary, or other affiliated entity must have an open line of communication when it comes to making political contributions.

In California, a parent and subsidiary share a contribution limit if the decision to make a contribution is directed and controlled by a majority of the same persons.  If the parent and subsidiary act wholly independent of each other in deciding to make a contribution, the parent and subsidiary each have their own limit.

In New Jersey, if a corporation has subsidiaries, affiliates, branches, or locals then the contributions of these organizations cannot exceed the applicable contribution limit in the aggregate.  Two or more corporations will be conclusively deemed to be affiliated if:

• Any individual, corporation, partnership, company, association, or other entity owns, directly or indirectly, more than a 30 percent interest in each of such corporations; or
• One such corporation owns, directly or indirectly, more than a 30 percent interest in the other such corporation.

In New York, an organization financially supported by a corporation may not make expenditures for political purposes (including contributions to candidates, political parties, and political committees) in excess of $5,000 in the aggregate in any calendar year.

An organization financially supported by a corporation is an entity, among other things, run by the corporation, features no discernible differences between the organization and the corporation, and is simply doing the corporation’s business under a different name.  If a political committee is created by a corporation, but is run separately and distinctly, then it is not an organization financially supported by a corporation and is not subject to the $5,000 yearly contribution limit.

Each affiliated or subsidiary corporation, if a separate legal entity, has its own limit.

These are just a few broad examples of aggregation of limits.  As always, we advise you follow best practice to verify the rules in your jurisdiction before making political contributions.

For more information, be sure to check out the “Contribution” section of the U.S. Political Contributions Compliance Laws online publication. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Prince George’s County will hold another special election to fill an open County Council seat.

This election is to replace U.S. Senator-elect Alsobrooks and will be expedited due to the fact the county has gone almost a full year with a 5-5 split, which has caused significant delays in budgetary and legislative proceedings.

The special primary election will be held on March 4, 2025, and the special general election will be held on May 27, 2025.

The Maine Ethics Commission has scheduled the 2025 harassment trainings for lobbyists.

The training is mandatory for lobbyists and lobbyist associates and must be completed annually.

Virtual trainings will be held on December 18, December 19, January 7, and January 9.

Registration is available through the Maine Ethics Commission website.

Campaign Finance

National: “Opaque Nonprofit Donation to Shadowy Super PAC Raises ‘Several Red Flags'” by Taylor Giorno (The Hill) for MSN

Maine: “Maine Sued Over New Voter-Approved Campaign Finance Limits” by Randy Billings (Portland Press Herald) for Yahoo News

New York: “GOP Accuses Democrats of Rigging NY Public Campaign Finance System” by Brendan Lyons (Albany Times Union) for MSN

Ethics

Illinois: “Judge Denies Acquittal Bid for Ex-AT&T Boss Accused of Bribing Madigan” by Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

Massachusetts: “Boston Considers Ethics Committee After City Councilor’s Arrest on Corruption Charges” by Tréa Lavery (MassLive) for MSN

National: “Massages and Country Clubs: Customer bills may be funding power companies’ lavish perks” by Mario Alejandro Ariza (Floodlight) for Yahoo News

Ohio: “Jimmy Dimora’s Sentence Commuted by President Joe Biden” by Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Lobbying

North Carolina: “NC Groups Host Desirable Trips Where NC Lawmakers, Lobbyists Can Mingle. Who Pays?” by Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) for MSN

On December 12, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) elected Vice Chair Ellen L. Weintraub as chair for 2025.

Weintraub will replace current Chairman Sean J. Cooksey. The chair is a rotating, one-year position.

Also, Commissioner James E. “Trey” Trainor, III was elected to the position of vice chair.

Vice Chair Weintraub has served on the FEC since 2002.

National/Federal

A Century-Old Law’s Aftershocks Are Still Felt at the Supreme Court

DNyuz – Adam Liptak (New York Times) | Published: 12/9/2024

In February 1925, Chief Justice William Howard Taft persuaded Congress to grant the Supreme Court an extraordinary power: to pick which cases it would decide. Most courts do not get to choose the cases they will hear, and their central task is to resolve disputes one at a time. The Supreme Court understands its job to be different – to announce legal principles that will apply in countless cases. The law effectively changed the court into a policymaking body, and the nation has yet to come to terms with “the immense powers of this new role,” Yale Law School professor Robert Post wrote in a new study.

Realtors’ Nonprofit Is Politically Motivated, Some Say

DNyuz – Debra Kamin (New York Times) | Published: 12/9/2024

The National Association of Realtors (NAR), the largest trade organization in the U.S., wields substantial influence over the American housing industry. To help hold on to that power, it also runs one of the biggest PACs, routinely outspending corporations. The PAC supports candidates who are in line with NAR’s positions, regardless of party, and its spending is bipartisan. But about five years ago, NAR quietly created an affiliate nonprofit called the American Property Owners Alliance, and its spending tells a different story.

After N.R.A.’s Supreme Court Win, a Dispute Over Key Facts

DNyuz – Danny Hakim (New York Times) | Published: 12/9/2024

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the National Rifle Association (NRA) could pursue its claim that a New York regulator had infringed on its First Amendment rights when she sought to discourage insurers and banks from doing business with the group after the 2018 school massacre in Parkland, Florida. But the two women said to be the primary participants in a secret meeting described in the complaint, and pivotal to the Supreme Court ruling, say it never took place. The case before the high court was a test of how far government advocacy could go before crossing a line into coercion.

FBI Director Christopher Wray Says He Will Resign Before Trump Takes Office

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2024

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced he would resign from his position at the end of the Biden administration, stepping down as the leader of the 35,000-person law enforcement bureau before Donald Trump takes office and can fire him. Wray’s resignation comes seven years into his 10-year term, a tenure that is meant to span multiple administrations and is intentionally longer than other executive branch appointments to avoid politicization of the FBI. Trump had announced he would nominate loyalist Kash Patel to serve as FBI director, sending a message to Wray that he should either resign or prepare to be fired.

Supreme Court Divided Over Government Contracting Fraud Conviction

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 12/9/2024

The Supreme Court appeared divided over whether to uphold the conviction of a government contractor found guilty of defrauding a state transportation program intended to promote diversity. The court has repeatedly expressed skepticism of federal prosecutions for too broadly applying criminal statutes to combat public corruption and other white-collar crimes. The ruling in the contracting case could affect how federal prosecutors pursue other fraud cases.

Judge Rejects Sale of Alex Jones’ Infowars to The Onion in Dispute Over Bankruptcy Auction

MSN – Dave Collins (Associated Press) | Published: 12/11/2024

A federal judge rejected the auction sale of Alex Jones’ Infowars to The Onion satirical news outlet, criticizing the bidding process as flawed and the amount of money that families of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting stood to receive. The Onion had been named the winning bidder over a company affiliated with Jones, whose conspiracy theory platform was put up for sale as part of his bankruptcy case stemming from the nearly $1.5 billion that courts have ordered him to pay over falsely calling one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history a hoax.

House Rejects Democratic Efforts to Force Release of Matt Gaetz Ethics Report

MSN – Farnoush Amiri (Associated Press) | Published: 12/5/2024

The House shut down Democrats’ efforts to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, pushing the fate of any resolution to the years-long investigation of sexual misconduct allegations into further uncertainty. The nearly party-line votes came after Democrats had been pressing for the findings to be published even though Gaetz left Congress and withdrew as Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general for attorney general. Rep. Tom McClintock was the sole Republican to support the effort.

White House Weighs Preemptive Pardons for Potential Trump Targets

MSN – Tyler Pager and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 12/5/2024

President Biden is weighing whether to grant preemptive pardons to individuals who might be targeted by the incoming Trump administration. Biden’s senior staffers have been increasingly alarmed by Trump’s picks for key law enforcement positions, such as Kash Patel, the choice for FBI director, who has urged retribution against Trump’s adversaries and critics. Other Democrats worry that Biden risks muddying the waters and leading voters to conclude both sides are simply using the legal system for their own ends.

Elon Musk Is Now America’s Largest Political Donor

MSN – Trisha Thadani and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 12/6/2024

Elon Musk gave at least $277 million in campaign donations this year to back Donald Trump and other Republican candidates, making him the largest political donor in the 2024 election cycle. Musk’s total for the cycle is the largest from a single donor since at least 2010, outside of candidates funding their own campaigns.

Bill to Protect Journalists from Revealing Sources Is ‘on Life Support’

MSN – Jeremy Barr (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2024

Legislation that would create a federal shield law protecting journalists from being forced to reveal their confidential sources, the Protect Reporters From Exploitative State Spying Act, is facing a dim future after an attempt in the Senate to expeditiously pass the bill failed. The bill passed the House in January but has been stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee. It has been championed by a coalition of press advocacy groups and news organizations that view it as essential for safeguarding the use of confidential sources in public interest reporting.

Watchdog Faults DOJ in Trump’s First Term for Secretly Obtaining Records of Lawmakers and Journalists

MSN – Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 12/10/2024

The Justice Department during Donald Trump’s first term failed to comply with its own procedures when it sought journalists’ phone and email records in leak investigations, according to a watchdog report. The department also never conducted any high-level review as it swept up the records of 43 congressional staffers and two Democratic House members, the report found. Inspector General Michael Horowitz said he found no evidence that federal prosecutors got express approval from then-Attorney General Bill Barr or told federal courts the subpoenas were for records of lawmakers and their aides.

Foster Advocacy Group Denies That Arrested Member Assaulted Rep. Nancy Mace

MSN – Peter Hermann and Keith Alexander (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2024

The head of a foster-care advocacy group is disputing allegations that one of its members assaulted U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace during a reception at the Rayburn House Office Building, saying the two merely shook hands during what appeared to be an amicable greeting. Capitol Police said James McIntyre, co-founder of the Illinois chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America, was charged with assaulting a government official.

Trump May Have Dodged His Criminal Case – but a Slew of Civil Lawsuits Loom

MSN – Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 12/8/2024

Donald Trump is not off the hook for January 6 just yet. Though the criminal cases against him are all but dead, Trump is likely to be fighting eight civil lawsuits, from members of Congress and injured police officers, deep into his second term. They may be the last form of legal redress Trump faces for his role in spurring the Capitol riot. Trump’s election effectively scuttled special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution of Trump, but a Supreme Court ruling says civil litigation can proceed against a sitting president.

Supreme Court Justice Recuses Himself from Utah Railroad Case Tied to Colorado Billionaire

Salt Lake Tribune – Charlie Savage (New York Times) | Published: 12/6/2024

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch recently recused himself from a case after ethics watchdogs and Democratic lawmakers urged him to step aside because the outcome will likely affect the financial interests of a billionaire to whom he has long-standing ties. Legislation to impose an ethics code on the justices has stalled, but in 2023, the court unanimously adopted its first code of conduct. The New York Times has reported that in internal debate over the code, Gorsuch insisted it contain no enforcement mechanism beyond voluntary compliance.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Inside a Campaign Donor’s Journey to Get Her Money Back from Nathan Fletcher

KPBS – Scott Rodd | Published: 12/9/2024

San Diego resident Yvonne Elkin was determined to get her $100 dollars back. Elkin gave the money to former San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher last year when he announced his run for the California Senate. Then Fletcher dropped out of the race amid allegations of sexual assault. It was enough to change Elkin’s mind about Fletcher. But getting back a campaign contribution is not so simple. Political donors in California can ask for their donations back. But in nearly all cases, under state law, it is up to the candidate to decide.

California – S.F. Agencies Cuts Ties with Major Nonprofit Accused of Enriching a Former Department Head

MSN – St. John Barned-Smith and Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 12/10/2024

San Francisco city officials are cutting ties with a major nonprofit contractor after an investigation found the organization enriched a former department head who directed more than $1 million in city funds to the group. Two city departments canceled various contracts with Collective Impact over what officials described as “significant conflicts of interest” between the nonprofit and Sheryl Davis, the former executive director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.

California – LA Times Owner Plans to Add AI-Powered ‘Bias Meter’ on News Stories, Sparking Newsroom Backlash

MSN – Liam Reilly and Jon Passantino (CNN) | Published: 12/5/2024

Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong, who blocked the newspaper’s endorsement of Kamala Harris and plans to overhaul its editorial board, says he will implement an artificial intelligence-powered “bias meter” on the paper’s news articles to provide readers with “both sides” of a story. Soon-Shiong said major publishers have so far failed to adequately separate news and opinion, which he suggested “could be the downfall of what now people call mainstream media.”

Colorado – Ethics Commission: Rick Palacio violated state law by contracting with Gov Jared Polis’ office

Colorado Politics – Marianne Goodland | Published: 12/10/2024

The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission ruled Rick Palacio, a former chief of staff to Gov. Jared Polis, violated state law by contracting with the governor’s office within six months of his departure. The commission did not fine Palacio and dismissed another claim that he had “double-dipped” as both a contractor and state employee.

Colorado – Colorado Court Rules Ethics Commission Can’t Assert Jurisdiction Over Local Governments

Colorado Politics – Marianne Goodland | Published: 12/9/2024

A Denver District Court judge upheld a decision of the state Court of Appeals regarding whether the Colorado Ethics Commission can assert jurisdiction over local governments that have their own ethics code. The decision could end an eight-year fight over ethics complaints filed against the mayor of Glendale, the origin of the city’s challenge to the commission’s claims of jurisdiction. It could also end the ethics commission’s decisions to assert jurisdiction over home rule governments on ethics.

Colorado – State Sen. Jaquez Lewis Removed from Committees; Dems Plan Ethics Investigation Over Treatment of Staff

Colorado Public Radio – Bente Birkeland | Published: 12/8/2024

Colorado Senate leaders said they would approve an ethics investigation next session into state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis’ treatment of legislative aides and are removing her from serving on any committees when lawmakers return to the Capitol in January. Democratic leaders recently banned Jaquez Lewis from receiving state funds to hire staff following a recent complaint that she used campaign funds to pay aides to do personal work.

Connecticut – ‘Not a Dirty Word’: State ethics office tracks lobbyists; $34.8M spent in 2024 as of mid-Nov.

Hartford Business Journal – David Krechevsky | Published: 12/9/2024

Among other things, the Connecticut Office of State Ethics regulates and enforces the rules on the people and organizations that register each year to lobby state legislators and agencies. It also conducts audits and imposes penalties on those who fail to comply. “Our role is simply to provide transparency to the process,” said Pete Lewandowski, executive director of the ethics agency.

District of Columbia – D.C. Council Quietly Renames Bills to Avoid Scrutiny from Trump, Congress

MSN – Emily Davies and Meagan Flynn (Washington Post) | Published: 12/8/2024

Before Republicans won control of the House, Senate, and presidency in November, the District of Columbia Council was preparing to pass several pieces of legislation that threatened to draw the ire of the GOP. Now, with Donald Trump headed back to the Oval Office and his party set to control Congress, the city’s lawmakers are quietly making edits to the titles. It is part of a strategic effort across the government to adopt a more neutral posture on sensitive issues in hopes of avoiding a GOP backlash, according to Council Chairperson Phil Mendelson.

Florida – Mayor’s Office: Attending party on Shad Khan’s Kismet allowed by gift law restrictions

MSN – David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 12/6/2024

The value of the food and beverages served by the Jacksonville Jaguars during a holiday party on team owner Shad Khan’s yacht fits within what elected officials such a Mayor Donna Deegan and city council members can accept for complying with gift law restrictions, according to a ethics watchdog who advises Deegan. Florida law allows Deegan and council members to accept gifts from entities that do business with the city or lobby the city, such as the Jaguars, but the value of a gift cannot exceed $100, said Carla Miller, who previously spent years as the city’s ethics director.

Florida – Moms for Liberty Co-Founder Selected as Vice Chair of Florida Commission on Ethics

Tallahassee Democrat – Douglas Soule (USA Today) | Published: 12/11/2024

Not waiting to see if the Senate confirms her appointment, the Florida Commission on Ethics unanimously selected conservative Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich as its new vice-chairperson. Descovich, a former Brevard County School Board member, has served on the commission since Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed her last year. The Senate did not confirm her during the 2024 legislative session. Concerns were raised that Descovich’s work counted as lobbying, which would conflict with a role on the commission.

Georgia – Atlanta’s Inspector General Sued by City Contractor Over Investigation

WAGA – Staff | Published: 12/10/2024

Atlanta Inspector General Shannon Manigault is being sued by a city contractor whose name surfaced during a year-long investigation by her office. The vendor’s attorney says Manigault overstepped her boundaries and is not following the law while trying to investigate possible financial connections between vendors and Atlanta officials. The city council unanimously renewed Bernie Tokarz’s contract, and the state ethics commission dismissed Manigault’s complaint.

Illinois – AT&T’s Involvement in Illinois Politics Takes Focus in Mike Madigan Corruption Trial

Courthouse News – Dave Byrnes | Published: 12/11/2024

The corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan continued as U.S. attorneys probed the extent of AT&T’s involvement with the state’s politics. The government claims AT&T Illinois offered ex-state Rep. Eddie Acevedo a do-nothing subcontractor gig worth $22,500 in April 2017, through a firm owned by lobbyist Tom Cullen, also a longtime Madigan ally and political operative. Internal AT&T documents stated the funds were meant to cover Cullen’s firm taking on “an additional asset.” Prosecutors say that asset was Eddie Acevedo.

Louisiana – Former State Legislator from Gov. Landry’s Home Parish Nominated for Ethics Board

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 12/11/2024

The Louisiana House of Representatives has nominated only one person so far to fill its open ethics board seat – former state Rep. Mike Huval, who is friends with Gov. Jeff Landry. Other than the one late campaign finance report, which is not unusual for elected officials, Huval said he has not had any run-ins with the ethics board. The governor and legislators rewrote state law earlier this year to change the board’s makeup.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Hires New Top Staff Member on a Temporary Basis after Pushback

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 12/6/2024

The Louisiana Board of Ethics voted one of its own staff attorneys in as the state’s new ethics administrator after unprecedented pushback from legislative leaders and Attorney General Liz Murrill to filling the position. The appointment of David Bordelon was made on an interim basis, however, allowing the board to reverse itself when new members that Gov. Jeff Landry and lawmakers appoint join the board in 2025. Bordelon will start the job after December 27, when longtime ethics administrator Kathleen Allen retires.

Massachusetts – Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson Arrested by Feds on Corruption Charges

MSN – Chris Van Buskirk, Gayla Cawley, and Joe Dwinell (Boston Herald) | Published: 12/6/2024

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was indicted on five counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud and one count of aiding and abetting theft concerning a program receiving federal funds. The councilor hired a staff member in 2022 who was related to her and agreed to give the person a $13,000 bonus, most of which they would kickback to Fernandes Anderson, according to the indictment. Fernandes Anderson is paid $115,000 a year as a city councilor, but the feds say she was having money problems.

Missouri – Kansas City Mayor Accused of Skirting City Gift Ban by Using Nonprofit to Pay for Travel

Yahoo News – Allison Kite (Kansas Reflector) | Published: 12/5/2024

The cost of a trip to the Super Bowl in Arizona for Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, a top aide, and two members of the mayor’s security detail was covered by a $24,000 check from the Heavy Constructors Association, a politically connected trade group. The price of the trip and the payment were never made public. That is because the mayor and his now-former chief of staff, Morgan Said, ran the spending and donation through the Mayors Corps of Progress for a Greater Kansas City Inc., a nonprofit that helps attract economic development to the city and is not required to disclose its financials.

Missouri – Missouri Ethics Commission Fines Past SPS Board Candidates for Campaign Finance Violations

Yahoo News – Claudette Riley (Springfield News-Leader) | Published: 12/10/2024

The Missouri Ethics Commission found “reasonable grounds” that Springfield school board candidates Landon McCarter and Chad Rollins violated campaign finance laws in connection with billboards placed around the city on their behalf. McCarter and Rollins each reported an in-kind contribution of $7,500 in January. The limited liability company that contributed was not classified as a corporation under federal tax code, and it was not registered with the Ethics Commission, a required step.

Missouri – Missouri Judge Dismisses Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Top Republican Lawmaker

Yahoo News – Kacen Bayless (Kansas City Star) | Published: 12/11/2024

A judge dismissed a whistleblower lawsuit filed against Speaker Dean Plocher that alleged he used his power to retaliate against a top employee of the Missouri House. The lawsuit by Dana Miller, chief clerk of the House, alleged a damning portrait of Plocher, arguing he threatened and retaliated against Miller and other staffers amid a slew of scandals Plocher faced in his final session as speaker.

Montana – Auditors Say Montana’s System of Tracking Lobbyists Broken

Yahoo News – Darrell Ehrlick (Daily Montanan) | Published: 12/5/2024

A report from the Legislative Audit Division said Montana lagged behind most states when it comes to tracking activity by lobbyists. It found there is no mechanism to check the accuracy of disclosure reports, and the system’s two databases often had conflicting or inconsistent information. Moreover, the Commissioner of Political Practices Office has never used the auditing power granted to it by state law to investigate lobbyist’s reports or enforce penalties on those who did not conform to state law.

New York – Half of Mayor Adams’ Latest Matching Campaign Fund Claims Deemed ‘Invalid’

Yahoo News – Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) | Published: 12/10/2024

Half of the claims for public matching funds that Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection campaign submitted in the most recent reporting period were deemed “invalid” by the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB), the highest rejection rate that the mayor’s team has faced to date. The CFB is weighing whether to give Adams’ 2025 campaign any matching funds at all amid his federal indictment on charges alleging he took illegal political donations and bribes, mostly from Turkish government operatives.

North Carolina – Public Left in the Dark After NC Legislators Made Campaign Donation Probes Secret

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

A bill passed in 2018 funneled campaign finance investigations in North Carolina into a new, secret, and drawn-out process. In the six years since the law passed, not a single campaign finance charge has been filed by a state prosecutor, state election officials and campaign watchdogs say. In the six years prior, state election board hearings on campaign finance complaints were steps to criminal convictions against two lawmakers.

North Carolina – North Carolina GOP Changes Election Rules Before Losing Supermajority

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2024

Republicans in North Carolina’s Legislature overrode a veto to give one of their allies control over the state’s elections board, rewrite ballot-counting rules, and chip away at the power of the incoming Democratic governor. The move came as Republicans sought to claim three seats in the Legislature and a spot on the state Supreme Court by throwing out tens of thousands of ballots in races they lost in November. The state Democratic Party is fighting that effort by asking a federal judge to ensure votes do not get tossed because of administrative errors.

Oklahoma – Roundup: Turnpike Authority considers toll hikes, Ethics Commission mulls rule changes, Hiett still besieged

NonDoc – Michael McNutt | Published: 12/9/2024

A new state database used for reporting and tracking campaign financial information and lobbyist registrations is expected to be ready for use by June 2025. The Oklahoma Ethics Commission gave the agency’s executive director approval to sign a contract with RFD & Associated to replace the outdated and antiquated “Guardian” electronic filing system. Commissioners also held a hearing on 13 proposed ethics rule amendments, several of which were generated from a report of a campaign finance task force created by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Tennessee – Tennessee Sen. Yager to Refund Campaign Account for State-Paid Mileage ‘Oversight’

Yahoo News – Cassandra Stephenson (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 12/11/2024

Tennessee Sen. Kenneth Yager’s recent arrest while driving a campaign-funded car on a vacation in Georgia sheds renewed light on the pitfalls of lawmakers’ not-uncommon practice of dipping into campaign finances to lease or purchase vehicles. State law does not prohibit this but does require lawmakers to keep records of vehicle use and reimburse their campaign accounts for any mileage payments they receive from the state and any personal use of the vehicle.

Virginia – Va. Library Survived Battle Over LGBTQ+ Books. Now, It Faces a New Threat.

MSN – Gregory Schneider (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2024

The Warren County Board of Supervisors voted to take greater control over Samuels Public Library, which was honored as Virginia’s 2024 Library of the Year but has clashed with conservative county leaders over LGBTQ+-themed books and now finds its future plunged into uncertainty. The supervisors voted to create a new library board to oversee policy and budget.  The effort to exert political control over the independent, nonprofit library drew national attention   last year when a small group of residents waged a campaign against LGBTQ+ books primarily aimed at young readers.

Wisconsin – Trump Lawyers and Aide Hit with 10 Additional Charges in Wisconsin Over 2020 Fake Electors

MSN – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 12/10/2024

Wisconsin prosecutors filed 10 additional felony charges against two attorneys and an aide to Donald Trump who advised Trump in 2020 as part of a plan to submit paperwork falsely claiming he won the battleground state that year. The amended charges against Jim Troupis, who was Trump’s attorney in Wisconsin, Kenneth Chesebro, an attorney who advised the campaign, and Mike Roman, Trump’s director of Election Day operations in 2020, are for using forgery to defraud each of the 10 Republican electors who cast their ballots for Trump that year.

Gov. Gavin Newsom released a proclamation declaring that a special election will be held next year for Senate District 36 and Assembly District 32.

The seat for Assembly District 32 was vacated by Republican Vince Fong after winning a seat for congress and replacing former speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy.

The seat for Senate District 36 had been vacated after Republican Janet Nguyen was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

The special primary election for these seats will be held on February 25, 2025.

The special general election will be held on April 29, 2025.

In 2025, Lobbyisme Québec, which conducts the daily monitoring, verification, and investigation activities concerning lobbyist in the province, will continue to specifically monitor companies and organizations involved in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector in order for them to be made aware of their lobbying obligations.

Examples given by  Lobbyisme Québec of lobbying activities in the AI sector include when a professional group is asking the government to provide clear guidelines to govern the use of AI in the financial and banking sectors; when a corporate lobbyist contacts a municipality to obtain a contract for document management using AI; and when a representative of an engineering consulting firm is approaching the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy regarding the allocation of a grant to develop an AI system.

Every two years Lobbyisme Québec identifies a target group that will be subject to specific monitoring activities.

Previous spotlights of this type of monitoring included, for 2023 to 2024, the privatization of health care; for 2020 to 2021, issues of cybersecurity; and for 2018 through 2020, issues concerning cannabis and cryptocurrency.

The current focus, which was influenced by the province’s plan to deal with AI called Strategy for the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration 2021-2026, will continue into 2026.

Campaign Finance

North Carolina: “Public Left in the Dark After NC Legislators Made Campaign Donation Probes Secret” by Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) for MSN

Elections

North Carolina: “North Carolina GOP Changes Election Rules Before Losing Supermajority” by Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN

Wisconsin: “Trump Lawyers and Aide Hit with 10 Additional Charges in Wisconsin Over 2020 Fake Electors” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for MSN

Ethics

National: “FBI Director Christopher Wray Says He Will Resign Before Trump Takes Office” by Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN

Louisiana: “Former State Legislator from Gov. Landry’s Home Parish Nominated for Ethics Board” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News

National: “Judge Rejects Sale of Alex Jones’ Infowars to The Onion in Dispute Over Bankruptcy Auction” by Dave Collins (Associated Press) for MSN

Virginia: “Va. Library Survived Battle Over LGBTQ+ Books. Now, It Faces a New Threat.” by Gregory Schneider (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “After N.R.A.’s Supreme Court Win, a Dispute Over Key Facts” by Danny Hakim (New York Times) for DNyuz

Procurement

Colorado: “Ethics Commission: Rick Palacio violated state law by contracting with Gov Jared Polis’ office” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Politics