King County, WA has approved an amendment to the King County Charter to be sent to the voters during the November 8 election.

The amendment moves elections for county executive, county assessor, county director of elections, and county councilmembers from odd-number years to even-numbered years starting in 2026.

There will be an election held in 2023 for the county assessor, county director, and even-numbered district councilmembers.

The county executive and odd-numbered district councilmembers will be elected in 2025 before moving to even-numbered year elections in 2026.

Campaign Finance

National: “Pair Charged with Making Straw Donations to Trump Committees” by Jennifer Pelz (Associated Press) for MSN

Wisconsin: “Milwaukee Ald. Chantia Lewis Convicted of Two Campaign Finance Felonies, Removed from Office” by Allison Dir (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Secret Service Cannot Recover Texts; No New Details for Jan. 6 Committee” by Carol Leonnig and Maria Sacchetti (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Prosecutors Won’t Pursue Case Against Colbert Team at Capitol Complex” by Michael Balsamo (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

California: “San Jose Mayor Travels to France on Environmental Group’s Dime” by Jana Kadah for San Jose Spotlight

Indiana: “Ind. Attorney General’s Comments Endangered Abortion Provider, Complaint Says” by María Luisa Paúl and Kim Bellware (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “A Family Donated $300K to Hochul. New York Has Paid the Family Business $637M.” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Lobbying

Florida: “West Palm: Winning bidder for Sunset Lounge management contract violated anti-lobbying rules” by Wayne Washington (Palm Beach Post) for Yahoo News

Redistricting

Ohio: “Ohio Supreme Court Again Rejects Republican Congressional Map, Ordering Redraw for 2024 Election” by Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “AZ Secretary of State Candidate’s Nonprofit Spending Raises Questions” by Mary Jo Pitzl (Arizona Republic) for Arizona Daily News

California: “Ex-Compton Councilman Isaac Galvan, Dogged by Election-Rigging Scandal, Faces $240,000 Fine” by Gregory Yee (Los Angeles Times) for Yahoo News

Missouri: “FEC Member Pans Decision Not to Investigate Groups That Helped Elect Greitens in 2016” by Jason Hancock for Missouri Independent

Texas: “AG Ken Paxton Declines to Sue Candidates, Officials Who Owe $700K in Unpaid Campaign Violation Fines” by Taylor Goldsmith (Houston Chronicle) for MSN

Elections

National: “Little-Known Lawyer Pitched Trump on Extreme Plans to Subvert Election” by Maggie Haberman and Luke Broadwater (New York Times) for Yahoo News

Ethics

Washington: “Armed Man Arrested Outside Home of Rep. Jayapal for Alleged Death Threat” by Amy Wang (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

New York: “N.Y. Assemblyman Charles Fall’s Girlfriend Lobbied Him on Various Issues, Prompting Ethics Concerns” by Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) for MSN

Procurement

National: “Bipartisan Group Seeks to Limit Who Federal Agencies Can Contract With” by Eric Katz for Government Executive

A bipartisan bill was introduced into the U.S. Senate aimed at increasing federal oversight to prevent national security consulting firms from contracting both with the United States and countries like Russia and China.

Senate Bill 4516, Obstructive National Security Underreporting of Legitimate Threats (CONSULT), introduced by Republican U.S. Senator Joni Ernst and Democratic Senators Maggie Hassan and Gary Peters, would require consulting firms to disclose any potential organizational conflict of interest with certain entities, such as beneficial ownership, active contracts, contracts held within the last five years, and any other relevant information with foreign adversarial entities or governments. In turn, it would also allow for these conflicts of interest to be grounds for denial of a contract, or for the suspension and debarment of a contractor.

The bill, introduced on July 13, would also require the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to update federal acquisition regulations for implementation and calls for a government-wide policy to mitigate and eliminate organizational conflict of interests relating to national security.

According to Senator Hassan’s press release, “The CONSULT Act comes after reports surfaced that the consulting firm McKinsey & Company was providing strategic advice for state-owned companies in China and Russia while also being awarded national security contracts by the United States. These Chinese and Russian entities include a handful that have been blacklisted by federal agencies.”

The Tallahassee Commission on Ethics introduced an ordinance to change lobbying rules including a repeal of quarterly compensation reporting and a requirement for lobbyists to begin registering individually rather than by firm.

The commission also adopted a 10-year ban on lobbying for certain felons and a fee resolution raising the current registration fee from $25 to $500.

Ordinance 22-O-20 is scheduled for a second reading and public hearing on September 7.

If passed, the new rules will become effective January 1, 2023.

Campaign Finance

National: “Trump’s Political Operation Continued to Steer Donor Money to Firm Involved in the Jan. 6 Rally” by Anna Massoglia for OpenSecrets

Alaska: “Judge Refuses to Block Alaska Campaign Finance Disclosure Rules” by Becky Bohrer (Associated Press) for MSN

California: “Oakland Wants to Give Voters Money to Make Campaign Contributions” by Callie Rhoades for Oakland North

Elections

National: “Bipartisan Bill Would Clarify That VP Role with Electors Is Only Ceremonial” by Chris Cioffi (Roll Call) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Jan. 6 Committee Subpoenas Secret Service for Missing Records” by Jacqueline Alemany and Maria Sacchetti (Washington Post) for MSN

Florida: “UCF Removes Departments’ Anti-Racism Statements” by Annie Martin (Orlando Sentinel) for MSN

Illinois: “Chicago at the ‘Vanguard of Government Ethics’? New City Council Rules Would Quadruple Top Fines for Violators, but Some Measures Watered Down” by Alice Yin (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

Florida: “Tallahassee Officials Approve 10-Year Ban on Corruption-Related Felons Lobbying” by Karl Etters (Tallahassee Democrat) for MSN

National/Federal

Election Officials Fear Copycat Attacks as ‘Insider Threats’ Loom
MSN – Zach Montellaro (Politico) | Published: 7/12/2022

Election officials are confronting a wave of threats and security challenges coming from a troubling source: inside the election system itself. In interviews at the National Association of Secretaries of State’s conference, a dozen chief election administrators detailed a growing number of “insider threats” leading to attempted or successful election security breaches aided by local officials. The most prominent was in Colorado, where a county clerk was indicted for her role in facilitating unauthorized access to voting machines. But there have been similar instances elsewhere.

Judge Rejects Bannon’s Bid to Delay Trial, Executive-Privilege Claim
MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 7/11/2022

U.S. District Court Judge Carl Nichols refused to delay Stephen Bannon’s trial after the Justice Department called an offer by the former Trump aide to testify before the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection a “last-ditch attempt to avoid accountability” on charges of criminal contempt of Congress. Bannon was indicted for contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with a subpoena for his testimony and records about his actions leading up to the Capitol riot.

Lindsey Graham Argues Constitution Grants Him ‘Absolute Immunity’ in Georgia Election Interference Probe, a Response One Former Prosecutor Calls ‘Disturbing’
Yahoo News – Charles Davis (Business Insider) | Published: 7/13/2022

Lawyers for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham are arguing that he cannot be forced to testify before a Fulton County grand jury about alleged election interference, claiming he enjoys “absolute immunity” under the Constitution for phone calls he placed to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been investigating efforts by former President Trump and his allies to pressure officials in Georgia to overturn President Biden’s victory.

Michael Flynn Cited for Unauthorized Foreign Payments
MSN – Dan Lamothe and Craig Whitlock (Washington Post) | Published: 7/8/2022

Michael Flynn, the retired Army general and onetime adviser to former President Trump, was cited by the Defense Department inspector general for failing to disclose lucrative speaking engagements and other business arrangements with foreign entities, prompting the U.S. government to pursue tens of thousands of dollars in penalties against him. The Army notified Flynn it would seek to recoup $38,557.06 from him.

Morton’s and Others Brace as Activists Offer Cash for SCOTUS Sightings
Yahoo News – Emily Heil and Tim Carman (Washington Post) | Published: 7/11/2022

The Washington, D.C. location of Morton’s the Steakhouse is the first known restaurant in the city to be dragged into the protests over the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. Justice Brett Kavanaugh was dining there but left via a side door as a handful of protesters gathered outside. The activist group ShutDownDC tweeted it would pay restaurant workers to tip them off if they spot any of the six justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.

‘Operation Higher Court’: Inside the religious right’s efforts to wine and dine Supreme Court justices
Yahoo News – Peter Canellos and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 7/8/2022

Rob Schenck, an evangelical minister who once headed the group Faith and Action, said he arranged for couples to fly to Washington to visit with and entertain Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and the late Antonin Scalia. Schenck said the couples were instructed to use certain phrases to influence the justices while steering clear of the specifics of cases before the court. The calculated nature of Faith and Action’s efforts shows how outside actors can use social activities and expensive dinners to penetrate the court’s highly sealed environment.

Ron Johnson’s $280k Cash Gifts to Chief of Staff and Wife Draw U.S. Senate Ethics Complaint
KPVI – Alexander Shur (Madison.com) | Published: 7/12/2022

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and his wife paid his former chief of staff, Anthony Blando, and Blando’s wife $280,000 in cash gifts while they worked together, an arrangement Democrats say is a breach of Senate rules. The Senate’s ethics rules limit how much congressional aides can be compensated and how much and from whom they can receive gifts. The Johnsons’ cash gifts to Blando appear to follow one guideline allowing aides to receive gifts from senators but appear to clash with another guideline saying cash gifts are not acceptable. They also raise questions about whether they are an attempt to circumvent the compensation limits.

The Fight Over Truth Also Has a Red State, Blue State Divide
Yahoo News – Steven Lee Myers and Cecilia Kang (New York Times) | Published: 7/10/2022

In the absence of action at the federal level, officials in state after state are taking aim at the sources of disinformation and the platforms that propagate them – only they are doing so from starkly divergent ideological positions. In this polarized era, even the fight for truth breaks along partisan lines. The result has been a rush of state bills and legal maneuvers that could reinforce information bubbles in a nation divided over a variety of issues and along geographic lines. The biggest hurdle to new regulations, regardless of the party pushing them, is the First Amendment.

Trump Hid Plan for Capitol March on Day He Marked as ‘Wild’, Panel Says
MSN – Isaac Stanley-Becker and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 7/12/2022

Donald Trump scrawled the words on Twitter that motivated right-wing extremists to seek blood on January 6, 2021, and kept secret a plan to direct his supporters to the Capitol that day, according to evidence and testimony presented at the seventh hearing of the House select committee investigating the riot. The message marked a turning point in Trump’s efforts to stay in power and, in the telling of U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, “would galvanize his followers, unleash a political firestorm and change the course of our history as a country.”

U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Release of Trump Financial Records to House
MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 7/8/2022

A federal appeals court panel ruled House lawmakers can see years of former President Trump’s financial accounting records but narrowed the range of documents Trump must turn over in a long-running legal battle over his compliance with presidential ethics and disclosure laws. Both sides can still appeal the three-judge panel’s ruling. But the decision marked a partial victory for each side over a subpoena issued in 2019 by the House Oversight Committee to Trump’s accounting firm, Mazars USA.

‘Unhinged’: The White House meeting that preceded Trump’s ‘will be wild’ tweet
MSN – Rosalind Helderman and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 7/12/2022

About six weeks after Donald Trump lost his reelection, a fistfight nearly broke out in the White House between the president’s fired national security adviser and a top White House aide. A motley crew of unofficial Trump advisers had talked their way into the Oval Office and an audience with the president to argue the election had been stolen by shadowy foreign powers, perhaps remotely via Nest thermostats. Even for a White House known for its chaos, the December 18, 2020, meeting demonstrated how Trump invited fringe players advocating radical action into his inner sanctum as he searched for a way to remain in office.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama Ethics Commission Says It Doesn’t Have to Share Exculpatory Information with Accused
Yahoo News – Brian Lyman (Montgomery Advertiser) | Published: 7/13/2022

The Alabama Ethics Commission said it did not have to disclose evidence that could potentially clear a person accused of violating state ethics laws during an investigation. The unanimous vote came after a discussion where the state attorney general’s office argued the accused had the right to access such material, and members of the commission raised concerns about its investigatory nature, the potential of discouraging legitimate complaints, and the current wording of the ethics statute.

Arizona – Arizona Activists Want a Vote on Expanding Access to Voting
MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/7/2022

Citing efforts by Arizona’s Republican-controlled Legislature to restrict access to voting, a coalition of advocacy organizations, community groups and volunteers is attempting to expand voting rights in the state through a ballot initiative. The coalition gave state elections officials the signatures of more than 475,000 Arizonans who want to see the issue put to a vote in November. The initiative would also limit the amount of money that lobbyists could spend on special events and travel for lawmakers at $500.

Arkansas – Groups Use Arkansas PACs Loophole to Donate Above Campaign Contribution Limits
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Lisa Hammersly | Published: 7/10/2022

In Arkansas, each PAC can donate the state limit of $2,900, a loophole in state campaign finance laws when one organization fields many PACs, experts say. Disclosure data shows groups of business and political interests and lobbyists with multiple PACs give some favored candidates substantially more in contributions than Arkansas allows for one individual or a group with only one PAC. While Arkansas permits such donations from related PACs, federal election rules and some other states do not.

California – Campaign Finance Reform Efforts in Anaheim Deadlock Again – And Again
Los Angeles Times – Gabriel San Román | Published: 7/13/2022

When the Anaheim City Council debated campaign finance reform for a third meeting in a row, it proved to be anything but a charm. Election spending in Anaheim has come into sharper focus since an FBI probe into former Mayor Harry Sidhu. Councilperson Jose Moreno introduced a bill intended to curb what he called “pay-to-play” politics, but another tie vote by the council sunk the reform effort again.

California – Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do Faces $12,000 State Fine Over ‘Pay to Play’ Politics
Voice of OC – Spencer Custodio and Hosam Elattar | Published: 7/11/2022

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is facing a $12,000 fine for steering lobbyist contracts to his own campaign donors, something the California Fair Political Practices Commission says violates state “pay-to-play” restrictions. FPPC investigators said it happened while Do was serving on the CalOptima board, the agency that oversees the county’s medical insurance plan. The FPPC also found Do violated regulations on a series of behested payments.

Colorado – 3rd Arrest Made in Alleged Colorado Election Security Breach
MSN – Colleen Slevin (Associated Press) | Published: 7/13/2022

The former elections manager for a Colorado clerk indicted on charges of tampering with voting equipment has been arrested on allegations she was part of the scheme. Sandra Brown, who worked for Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, surrendered in response to a warrant issued for her arrest on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation and attempting to influence a public servant. Peters and her chief deputy, Belinda Knisley, are being prosecuted for allegedly allowing a copy of a hard drive to be made during an update of election equipment in May 2021.

Connecticut – A West Haven Official Approved Contracts, Payments for His Family Business
MSN – Andrew Brown (Connecticut Mirror) | Published: 7/12/2022

Robert Bruneau, a city council member and fire commissioner in West Haven, used his elected position as a leader of the West Shore Fire District to authorize contracts and payments for a company owned by his wife and son. Documents show Bruneau, along with his two fellow fire commissioners, approved more than $81,000 in payments to Bruneau’s Garage, which he and his family have owned and operated for more than a decade. Bruneau was also recently singled out in a state audit that examined questionable spending by the West Haven city government.

Connecticut – Wife of Former CT Lawmaker Pleads Guilty in West Haven Theft Case
MSN – Andrew Brown (Connecticut Mirror) | Published: 7/12/2022

Lauren DiMassa, who is now married to former Connecticut Rep. Michael DiMassa, admitted her part in stealing more than $147,000 from the city of West Haven. Records show Michael DiMassa, who served as an assistant to the West Haven City Council, approved 16 payments that went to his future wife. The records show Lauren DiMassa sent invoices to the city and claimed to be performing services under a youth violence prevention grant. She billed for things like meals, equipment, supplies, transportation, personal protective equipment, “counseling,” and “support clinics.”

Florida – Election Issues: Two candidates say Sheriff Ivey tried to get them to drop out, offered jobs in exchange
Yahoo News – Eric Rogers and Bobby Block (Florida Today) | Published: 7/13/2022

For years, a political endorsement by Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been seen by would-be candidates for elected office and many voters in Brevard County as an anointment of approval by the area’s most prominent politician and law enforcement officer. But there is another side to Ivey’s endorsements, some candidates say. According to them, Ivey seeks to control who gets to compete in Brevard elections and who should not. Two candidates this year said Ivey pushed for them to leave the field and throw their support behind his favored candidates. In exchange, they say, Ivey has offered them political jobs worth up to $50,000 a year.

Florida – Lobbyists, Including Former Governor Staff, Push Client for Emergency Management Warehouse Contract
Orlando Sentinel – Jeffrey Schweers | Published: 7/14/2022

Two of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ former top staffers were among the lobbyists that sought to make sure their client was well positioned for a new Emergency Management warehouse and inventory control contract, emails show. The Division of Emergency Management originally planned to bid out the contract itself and asked the Legislature for $75 million to build and retrofit new warehouse space for supplies it was required to purchase for public health emergencies. But it agreed to side-step its normal bidding process after talking to legislative leaders.

Georgia – Limits Set for Lawmaker Testimony in Georgia Election Probe
Yahoo News – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 7/7/2022

Georgia lawmakers appearing before a special grand jury in the investigation into whether former President Trump and others illegally meddled in the state’s 2020 election have broad immunity but can be asked about their conversations with people outside of the Legislature, a judge ruled. A former state lawmaker and Georgia’s lieutenant governor asked the judge to squash subpoenas seeking their testimony before the grand jury, citing legislative privilege and immunity.

Georgia – State Ethics Agency Drops Charges in Abrams Fundraising Probe as Campaign Steams Ahead
Georgia Recorder – Stanley Dunlop | Published: 7/12/2022

Georgia’s ethics commission dismissed two charges against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams connected to her 2018 campaign. The commission’s action was based on documentation showing the Abrams campaign did not illegally receive donations from two supporting organizations, while other forms cleared up questions about an expense charged during her run against Gov. Brian Kemp. It marked the latest development in the wide-spanning investigation into whether the Abrams team coordinated with groups to help her election in 2018.

Hawaii – Prosecutors Want Enhanced Punishment for Public Corruption
Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 7/13/2022

County prosecutors in Hawaii want to see harsher sentences for public officials who try to defraud the government and are calling for better resources to investigate such crimes. The Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct, a group tasked with beefing up government standards and ethics, heard from FBI agents, former state attorneys general, and county prosecutors during a forum to generate more ideas to crack down on public corruption in Hawaii.

Illinois – Ex-Cook County Official Patrick Doherty Pleads Guilty to Several Corruption Schemes
Chicago Sun-Times – Jon Seidel | Published: 7/13/2022

Patrick Doherty, a former high-ranking Cook County official, admitted to a wide-ranging set of corruption schemes totaling $148,000 that involved the late Illinois Sen. Martin Sandoval and ex-Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski. Doherty was originally hit with three bribery counts for his work as a sales agent for SafeSpeed. Prosecutors then expanded the indictment, he also schemed with Tobolski, who doubled as mayor of McCook, as well as Sandoval, who served as chair of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee.

Kentucky – Gov. Beshear Scores Victory Against GOP Effort to Strip His Power Over Ethics Commission
MSN – Joe Sonka (Louisville Courier-Journal) | Published: 7/12/2022

A judge sided with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in his lawsuit to block a new law shifting the governor’s appointment power with the Executive Branch Ethics Commission to other Republican constitutional officers. Jefferson Circuit Court Judge McKay Chauvin granted Beshear’s motion for a summary judgment to permanently block House Bill 334 because it violates the state constitution. Under the new law, the commission’s members are increased to seven by reducing the governor’s appointees to just two, while also granting one appointment each to five other constitutional officers.

Louisiana – Ethics Board: Oliver Thomas can’t be paid by WBOK while station takes city money
New Orleans Advocate – Jeff Adelson and Mark Ballard | Published: 7/8/2022

The Louisiana Board of Ethics formally approved an opinion that would bar New Orleans City Councilperson Oliver Thomas from continuing to be paid for his talk show on WBOK as long as the radio station continues to receive city money for advertising. In reaching their decision, ethics board staff cited state laws prohibiting elected officials from working for companies that receive revenues from the government they work for.

Michigan – Ex-State Rep. Inman Can [Face] Bribery, Extortion Charges Again, Court Rules
Detroit News – Hayley Harding | Published: 7/10/2022

Former Michigan Rep. Larry Inman can face a new trial after a federal appeals court reversed a lower court’s decision to dismiss bribery and extortion charges. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jonker ruled in 2021 that Inman’s constitutional rights to speech would be violated and to retry him could be barred by the double jeopardy clause of the Constitution if he faced another trial on charges of soliciting a bribe and attempted extortion. The ruling means Inman can face trial for allegedly trying to get union lobbyists to buy his 2018 vote on repealing the state’s prevailing wage law.

Michigan – Secretary of State Benson’s Husband Registered to Lobby for Billionaire’s Company
Detroit News – Craig Mauger | Published: 7/8/2022

The husband of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who ran for office vowing to reform Michigan’s lobbying laws, is now a registered lobbyist himself. Ryan Friedrichs registered to lobby on June 29, according to a database maintained by the secretary of state’s office, which oversees lobbyists’ fillings. Friedrichs is one of three lobbyists in the state working on behalf of Related Companies, a New York-based real estate firm.

Minnesota – Campaign Finance Board Finds Probable Cause in Action 4 Liberty Case
Minnesota Reformer – Baylor Spears | Published: 7/13/2022

The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board found probable cause that the right-wing activist group Action 4 Liberty, which has been working to boost allies in upcoming Republican primaries, violated state campaign law. The board alleges the group made illegal corporate campaign donations to gubernatorial candidate Neil Shah and failed to report the contributions. The determination comes after a complaint to the board said certain Action 4 Liberty-connected emails mentioned Shah, which constituted an endorsement.

Montana – Ninth Circuit Decision Takes Issue with Montana Rule Defining ‘Political Committees’
Fairfield Sun Times – Sam Wilson (Helena Independent Record) | Published: 7/7/2022

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found a portion of Montana’s law defining political committees is unconstitutionally vague in the case of Ed Butcher, a former Republican state lawmaker who maintains Legistats, a website that grades GOP legislators on party loyalty. The appeals court stopped short of striking down the administrative rule, which governs whether political spending in Montana needs to be reported and sent the case back to a lower court.

New York – Hochul’s Vow to Fix Albany’s Culture Finds an Unexpected Foe: Herself
News Networks – Jay Root (New York Times) | Published: 7/11/2022

In Albany, billions of taxpayer dollars can be directed, redirected, or shut off in negotiations far from public view. Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed to change that culture, promising “a new era of transparency,” including an ethics watchdog agency with “real teeth.” Yet as Hochul faces the November election, her promises of transparency and a changed culture appeared to have fallen short.

New York – NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Got OK from Conflicts Board on Contracts with Nonprofits Tied to Wife’s Group
MSN – Michael Gartland and Clayton Guse (New York Daily News) | Published: 7/6/2022

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said he asked for guidance and got the go-ahead from the Conflicts of Interest Board for his office’s review of contracts with nonprofits tied to a group run by his wife. Lander sought the advice a day after The New York Daily News reported dozens of nonprofits that have contracts with the city are also members of Meg Barnette’s group, Nonprofit New York. Since January, when Lander took office, nonprofits tied to the group have gotten contracts totaling at least $544 million from the city.

New York – Report: Cuomo’s office ‘overpowered’ ethics watchdog in book approval
Spectrum News – Mick Reisman | Published: 7/7/2022

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office “overpowered” staff at the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) to win approval of a multimillion-dollar book deal for the then-governor, according to a report from JCOPE. The vote to release the report is expected to be one of JCOPE’s final acts after lawmakers voted to create a new commission to oversee lobbying and ethics. The sole vote against releasing the report was by Commissioner William Fisher, the remaining Cuomo appointee on the panel.

North Dakota – North Dakota Ethics Panel Chooses Next Executive Director
Bismarck Tribune – Jack Dura | Published: 7/12/2022

The North Dakota Ethics Commission selected Rebecca Binstock as its next executive director, replacing Dave Thiele. Binstock is a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland. She will begin her new job in September.

Ohio – ‘Green Energy’ Initiative Leader Gets 120 Days in Jail for False Campaign Finance Report
MSN – Jordan Laird (Columbus Dispatch) | Published: 7/12/2022

A Franklin County judge described the ongoing effort to put a “green energy” initiative on the Columbus ballot as an illegitimate attempt to steal taxpayer money when he sentenced its leader to 120 days in jail for filing a false campaign finance report in 2019. The judge also sentenced John Clark Jr. to pay a $2,500 fine. Clark has led multiple petition drives in recent years to get a “green energy” initiative put on the ballot that, if any had passed, would have diverted more than $40 million of taxpayer money toward ProEnergy Ohio, a limited partnership group led by Clark.

Ohio – PG Sittenfeld Found Guilty of Bribery and Extortion, Not Guilty on Other Four Charges
WCPO – Paula Christian, Felicia Jordan, and Taylor Weiter | Published: 7/8/2022

Former Cincinnati City Councilperson P.G. Sittenfeld was convicted on federal charges of bribery and attempted extortion but was acquitted on four other counts. He could face two to three years in prison. Sittenfeld faced allegations that he agreed to accept $40,000 in payments to his PAC to “deliver the votes” in the city council for a proposed real estate development. He had been considered a top contender to run for mayor before he was indicted in 2020.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Commission Fines PAC [$62,750]
Center Square – Kim Jarrett | Published: 7/8/2022

A PAC that worked to get Republicans elected to the state Senate will pay a $62,750 penalty, according to a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. The Republican Senatorial Committee agreed to pay $37,750 for impermissible contributions it accepted, as well as a $25,000 civil penalty. The commission also ordered the PAC to dissolve within 60 days.

Rhode Island – AG Reviewing Prov. Council Candidate’s Campaign Finances
MSN – Steven Machado (WPRI) | Published: 7/7/2022

A candidate for Providence City Council was referred to the stet attorney general’s office for possible prosecution following a series of campaign finance violations. The Rhode Island Board of Elections voted to refer Gerard Catala to prosecutors after auditing his campaign account and finding more than $7,000 worth of spending that was not accounted for on his disclosure reports.

Washington – Seattle Foundation Cops to Eight Campaign Finance Violations, Pays a Fine
Big Country News – Brett Davis (Center Square) | Published: 7/8/2022

The Seattle Foundation acknowledged a total of eight violations of campaign disclosure and contribution laws and paid a fine of $1,000. A complaint alleged the foundation failed to register and report in timely fashion as an “incidental committee” in 2019 and 2020 regarding a $50,000 contribution by Yes for Transit, a $50,000 donation from the Washington Fairness Coalition, and a $50,000 contribution from Keep Washington Rolling. Under state law, a nonprofit entity may be required to register as an incidental committee and disclose the top 10 donors whose contributions aggregate to $10,000 or more in the calendar year.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Supreme Court Disallows Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes
Yahoo News – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 7/8/2022

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that absentee ballot drop boxes may be placed only in election offices and no one other than the voter can return a ballot in person, dealing a defeat to Democrats who said the decision would make it harder to vote in the battleground state. The court did not address whether anyone other than the voter can return his or her own ballot by mail. That means that anyone could still collect multiple ballots for voters and, instead of using a drop box, put them in the mail.

Campaign Finance

Georgia: “State Ethics Agency Drops Charges in Abrams Fundraising Probe as Campaign Steams Ahead” by Stanley Dunlop for Georgia Recorder

Minnesota: “Campaign Finance Board Finds Probable Cause in Action 4 Liberty Case” by Baylor Spears for Minnesota Reformer

Washington: “Seattle Foundation Cops to Eight Campaign Finance Violations, Pays a Fine” by Brett Davis (Center Square) for Big Country News

Elections

National: “Election Officials Fear Copycat Attacks as ‘Insider Threats’ Loom” by Zach Montellaro (Politico) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Judge Rejects Bannon’s Bid to Delay Trial, Executive-Privilege Claim” by Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) for MSN

Alabama: “Alabama Ethics Commission Says It Doesn’t Have to Share Exculpatory Information with Accused” by Brian Lyman (Montgomery Advertiser) for Yahoo News

Illinois: “Ex-Cook County Official Patrick Doherty Pleads Guilty to Several Corruption Schemes” by Jon Seidel for Chicago Sun-Times

New York: “Hochul’s Vow to Fix Albany’s Culture Finds an Unexpected Foe: Herself” by Jay Root (New York Times) for News Networks

A special election has been scheduled for the vacant District 5 seat to be held on November 8.

The District 5 seat became vacant when Councilor Corey O’Connor was appointed the new Allegheny County Controller by the Pennsylvania Senate.

The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the term set to expire at the end of 2023.

Elections

Ohio: “‘Green Energy’ Initiative Leader Gets 120 Days in Jail for False Campaign Finance Report” by Jordan Laird (Columbus Dispatch) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Trump Hid Plan for Capitol March on Day He Marked as ‘Wild’, Panel Says” by Isaac Stanley-Becker and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Ron Johnson’s $280k Cash Gifts to Chief of Staff and Wife Draw U.S. Senate Ethics Complaint” by Alexander Shur (Madison.com) for KPVI

Connecticut: “A West Haven Official Approved Contracts, Payments for His Family Business” by Andrew Brown (Connecticut Mirror) for MSN

Kentucky: “Gov. Beshear Scores Victory Against GOP Effort to Strip His Power Over Ethics Commission” by Joe Sonka (Louisville Courier-Journal) for MSN

Louisiana: “Ethics Board: Oliver Thomas can’t be paid by WBOK while station takes city money” by Jeff Adelson and Mark Ballard for New Orleans Advocate

North Dakota: “North Dakota Ethics Panel Chooses Next Executive Director” by Jack Dura for Bismarck Tribune

Lobbying

California: “Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do Faces $12,000 State Fine Over ‘Pay to Play’ Politics” by Spencer Custodio and Hosam Elattar for Voice of OC

Campaign Finance

Arkansas: “Groups Use Arkansas PACs Loophole to Donate Above Campaign Contribution Limits” by Lisa Hammersly for Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission Fines PAC [$62,750]” by Kim Jarrett for Center Square

Ethics

National: “The Fight Over Truth Also Has a Red State, Blue State Divide” by Steven Lee Myers and Cecilia Kang (New York Times) for Yahoo News

National: “U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Release of Trump Financial Records to House” by Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) for MSN

Michigan: “Ex-State Rep. Inman Can [Face] Bribery, Extortion Charges Again, Court Rules” by Hayley Harding for Detroit News

Ohio: “PG Sittenfeld Found Guilty of Bribery and Extortion, Not Guilty on Other Four Charges” by Paula Christian, Felicia Jordan, and Taylor Weiter for WCPO

Lobbying

National: “‘Operation Higher Court’: Inside the religious right’s efforts to wine and dine Supreme Court justices” by Peter Canellos and Josh Gerstein (Politico) for Yahoo News

New York: “NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Got OK from Conflicts Board on Contracts with Nonprofits Tied to Wife’s Group” by Michael Gartland and Clayton Guse (New York Daily News) for MSN

On July 4, 2022, America will celebrate 246 years of independence from Great Britain’s rule, as the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. This important document professed “…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Fast forward to 2022, however, and it continues to be evident that not everyone is seen as being deserving of these basic human rights – calling into question the lack of equality that exists, particularly amongst underrepresented populations.

For these individuals, what equality looks like in the workplace can be especially challenging. For some, equality may mean having a fair opportunity to compete and apply for a desired position; for others, it may mean that they are not discriminated against based on any multitude of characteristics that make them the unique individuals whom they are. I would argue that equality in the workplace should include both of these things, in addition to other elements, such as:  providing everyone with a safe and hostile-free working environment; allowing everyone to take advantage of opportunities for additional growth and professional development; and providing a space for all employees to come to work as their true, authentic selves. For me, this is equality in action – “walking the talk” as I like to say!

I invite you to think about what equality currently looks like in your own workplace? Are your company’s policies, procedures, and overall office culture conducive to an atmosphere that champions equality for all who work there? I hope the answer is Yes! If your organization, however, is not where it wants or needs to be, it may be time to take a step back and reassess its core mission and values – there may be some tough questions to answer, but in the end, the organization in its entirety will be better and stronger for it!

Campaign Finance

Montana: “Ninth Circuit Decision Takes Issue with Montana Rule Defining ‘Political Committees’” by Sam Wilson (Helena Independent Record) for Fairfield Sun Times

Rhode Island: “AG Reviewing Prov. Council Candidate’s Campaign Finances” by Steven Machado (WPRI) for MSN

Elections

Arizona: “Arizona Activists Want a Vote on Expanding Access to Voting” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) for MSN

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Supreme Court Disallows Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Michael Flynn Cited for Unauthorized Foreign Payments” by Dan Lamothe and Craig Whitlock (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “Report: Cuomo’s office ‘overpowered’ ethics watchdog in book approval” by Mick Reisman for Spectrum News

Legislative Issues

Georgia: “Limits Set for Lawmaker Testimony in Georgia Election Probe” by Kate Brumback (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

Michigan: “Secretary of State Benson’s Husband Registered to Lobby for Billionaire’s Company” by Craig Mauger for Detroit News

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has ruled against Montana, holding the state’s laws regarding political committees are unconstitutionally vague.

The court took umbrage with the state’s rule which governs whether political spending needs to be reported.

In Montana, any group of two or more people who spend $250 or more in an election cycle to support or oppose political candidates must register and report as a political committee.

Volunteer activities do not count towards the $250 threshold, but the court held Montana’s administrative scheme did not give plaintiffs fair notice that their activities fell outside the definition of volunteer services.

The decision opens the pathway to challenge the state’s definition of a political committee.