Elections

Maine: Election Reformers Cheer as Maine Again Approves Ranked-Choice Voting by Allegra Kirkland for Talking Points Memo

Minnesota: Supreme Court Strikes Down Political Dress Code at Polls in Latest Decision Involving Voting by Richard Wolf for USA Today

Ethics

National: Customs and Border Protection Agent Faces Inquiry After Questioning Reporter About Her Sources by Shane Harris, Matt Zapotosky, and Jack Gillum for Washington Post

California: ACLU Suit Targets Law That Bars Horn Honking at Protests by Teri Figueroa for San Diego Union Tribune

Florida: Skybox Hopping, Connections with Adam Corey Draw Elected Officials Into Ethics Report by Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat

New York: While Putnam Residents Pay Full Fare at Golf Clubhouse, County Executive, Ally Get Breaks by David McKay Wilson for The Journal News

Lobbying

Georgia: Candidate for Georgia Governor Bought Condo from Lobbyist by Kevin Sack for New York Times

Campaign Finance

National: “Web of Elite Russians Met with NRA Execs During 2016 Campaign” by Peter Stone and Greg Gordon for McClatchy DC

Massachusetts: “Gov. Charlie Baker’s Campaign Paid for Emails Sent by Mass GOP” by Shira Schoenberg for MassLive.com

Ethics

National: “Judge in Emoluments Case Questions Defense of Trump’s Hotel Profits” by Sharon LaFraniere (New York Times) for WRAL

National: “Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Made at Least $82 Million in Outside Income Last Year While Serving in the White House, Filings Show” by Amy Brittain, Asley Parker, and Anu Narayanswamy (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

California: “Second Commissioner Resigns from California’s Political Watchdog Agency” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

New Jersey: “On Key Votes, School Boards Bypass Conflicts of Interest. Is This in the Public Interest?” by Meghan Grant for Bergen Record

New York: “Sam Hoyt Sexual Harassment Decision Spurs Criticism of NY Ethics Board” by Joe Campbell for Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Lobbying

National: “Senators: Convicted Lobbyists Need to Disclose Their Record” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call

National: “This Woman Is an Exceptionally Effective Capitol Hill Lobbyist. She Also Has Down Syndrome.” by Alioson Kline (Washington Post) for Fargo Forum

Campaign Finance

National: “‘The Movement Now Transcends the Kochs.’ What David Koch’s Departure Means for the Political Network He Helped Build.” by James Hohmann and Amy Gardner for Washington Post

Alabama: “Ethics Commission Says Campaign Funds Can Pay Child Care” by Mike Cason for AL.com

Elections

California: “Democrats Poised to Claim Ballot Slots in Nearly All House Districts in California” by David Weigel, Mike DeBonis, David Fahrenthold, and Elise Viebeck for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “Scott Pruitt Enlisted an EPA Aide to Help His Wife Find a Job – with Chick-fil-A” by Juliet Eilperin, Brady Dennis, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN

Colorado: “Former Secretary of State Scott Gessler Loses Ethics Fight in Colorado Supreme Court” by Marianne Goodland (ColoradoPolitics.com) for Colorado Springs Gazette

Florida: “Sources: Ethics Commission prosecutor recommends charges against Fernandez” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Louisiana: “Louisiana Lawmakers Are Pushing Bills That Benefit Their Own Businesses. And It’s Perfectly Legal.” by Rebekah Allen (New Orleans Advocate) for ProPublica

Lobbying

United Kingdom: “Most Charities Say Lobbying Act Has Made Their Work Harder, Says Report” by Liam Kay for Third Sector

Missouri: “In About-Face, New Missouri Gov. Parson Says He Won’t Accept Lobbyist Gifts” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

National: “Women Reaching New Levels in Political Donations” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call

National: “$1 Million Mystery Gift to Inauguration Traced to Conservative Legal Activists” by Robert Maguire for McClatchy DC

Idaho: “‘The Idahoan’ Ruled Exempt from Sunshine Law, Qualified as a ‘Newspaper’” by Betsy Russell for Idaho Press Tribune

New York: “U.S. Attorney Probing Major Donor to Gov. Andrew Cuomo” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Ethics

Missouri: “Case Against Greitens Is Dropped, for Now. Legislative Leaders Say Nothing’s Changed” by Bryan Lowry, Jason Hancock, Kelsey Landis, Allison Kite, and Steve Vockrodt for Kansas City Star

New York: “Energy Executive Admits Lying About ‘Low-Show Job’ for Percoco’s Wife” by Vivuian Wang and benjamin Weiser (New York Times) for WRAL

South Carolina: “S.C. Attorney General Candidate Voted for Medical Bills While Leading Physician Group” by Jamie Lovegrove for Charleston Post and Courier

Wisconsin: “Robin Vos, Other Wisconsin Lawmakers Billed Taxpayers $4,300 for One-Day Trip to Ohio” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Campaign Finance

National: “Politicos Beware: Court ruling could prompt more transparent campaign spending” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

Missouri: “Critics Say Governor’s Race Shows Need for Campaign Finance Reform” by Sarah Zimmerman (Associated Press) for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ethics

National: “Trump, Schneiderman, Greitens and the Changing Shape of Sex Scandals” by Marc Fisher (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

Alaska: “Legislature Will Boot Ballot Measure If Governor Signs ‘Government Accountability’ Bill” by James Brooks for Juneau Empire

Maryland: “Baltimore Police Commissioner De Sousa Has Not Filed Some Mandatory Ethics Forms” by Ian Duncan for Baltimore Sun

New York: “Jury Finds Silver Guilty” by Benjamin Weiser (New York Times) for Albany Times Union

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission Votes to Sue Over Budget” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Lobbying

National: “Cohen Referred Client with Kushner Ties to Lobbying Firm” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

National: Did Diamond and Silk Commit Perjury? Or Is Campaign-Finance Language Often Confusing? by Philip Bump for Washington Post

California: Hackers Stole His Campaign Cash, Sacramento Lawmaker Says by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

North Carolina: Steak Dinners, Travel, HOA Fees: How some NC legislators spend campaign donors’ money by Will Doran and Lynn Bonner for Charlotte Observer

Ethics

National: Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez Is ‘Severely Admonished’ by Ethics Committee, Ordered to Repay Gifts by Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

Florida: Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie Hid $335,000, Charges Allege by Skyler Swisher and Tonya Alanez for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Michigan: Michigan Lawmakers Voted on Bills Even After Admitting Conflicts of Interest by Kristian Hernandez for Center for Public Integrity

Legislative Issues

Minnesota: Minnesota House Leaders Unveil Major Changes to Sexual Harassment Policy, but Updates Won’t Make Process Any More Open to Public by Brianna Bierschbach for Minnesota Post

Lobbying

National: Democrats See Their Stock Rise on K Street by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Canada: MPs Defend Taking Trips Paid by Lobbyists, Foreign Governments, but Some Say the Practice Needs Review by Samantha Wright Allen for Hill Times

Campaign Finance

National: “If a Parent’s Day Job Is Running for Congress, Can the Campaign Pay for Child Care?” by Danielle Kurtz for Minnesota Public Radio

Maryland: “Baltimore City Council to Consider Public Financing of City Elections” by Ian Duncan for Baltimore Sun

Montana: “Former State Legislator Finally Pays $70K Fine for Campaign Finance Violations” by Ed Kemmick for Missoula Current

Ohio: “How One GOP Heiress Influenced the Ohio House – and Its Leader’s Demise” by Jessie Balmert for Cincinnati Enquirer

South Dakota: “A 6-Year-Old Gave $1,000 to Paul TenHaken – and It’s Legal” by Joe Sneve for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Elections

National: “U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn Should Be Kept Off the 2018 Ballot, Colorado Supreme Court Rules” by Jesse Paul, Mark Matthews, and John Frank for Denver Post

Ethics

California: “O.C. Anti-Corruption Task Force Collapsed Amid Infighting Between Federal and Local Investigators” by Adam Elmahrak and Richard Winton for Los Angeles Times

Michigan: “Trash Titan Chuck Rizzo Gets 5½ Years: ‘I’ve let many people down’” by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press

Lobbying

National: “Protesters Target NRA Lobbyist’s Home and Wife’s Business” by Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

New York: “JCOPE Passes Sweeping New Lobbying Regulations” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “Greitens Charged with Second Felony After AG Investigation into Veterans Charity” by Jason Hancock, Allison Kite, and Bryan Lowry for Kansas City Star

Ohio: “Questions Raised About Campaign Contributions and Influence at Columbus City Hall” by Doug Caruso and Rick Rouan for Columbus Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Philadelphia Tries Again on Campaign Finance Reforms” by Ryan Briggs for City & State Pennsylvania

Elections

National: “Democratic Party Sues Russia, Trump Campaign and WikiLeaks Alleging 2016 Campaign Conspiracy” by Tom Hamburger, Rosalind Helderman, and Ellen Nakashima for Washington Post

New Mexico: “Past Gubernatorial Candidate Insists He Wasn’t Paid to Leave Race” by Dan McKay for Albuquerque Journal

Ethics

National: “For Politicians Scraping Bottom, a Scarce Resource: Impeachment Lawyers” by Alan Blinder for New York Times

Washington: “Washington’s Lottery Deputy Director Ousted After Ethics Investigation” by Rachel LaCorte (Associated Press) for Seattle Times

Lobbying

National: “Lobbyist Whose Wife Rented to Pruitt Lobbied EPA Despite Denials” by Theodoric Meyer and Eliana Johnson for Politico

Canada: “Facebook Agrees to Join Federal Lobbyist Registry” by Bill Curry for The Globe and Mail

Maryland: “Baltimore City Council Bill Would Tighten Restrictions on Lobbyists, Require Forms Go Online” by Luke Broadwater for Baltimore Sun

National:

AP Finds Legislatures Lack Public Records on Harassment
Arizona Daily Star – David Lieb (Associated Press) | Published: 4/11/2018

In the past 15 months, dozens of state lawmakers have been forced from office, removed from their leadership roles, reprimanded. or publicly accused of sexual misconduct in a mounting backlash against misbehavior by those in power. Yet the majority of state legislative chambers across the country have no publicly available records of any sexual misconduct claims over the past 10 years. They say no complaints were made, no tally was kept, or they do not legally have to disclose it. Some lawmakers and experts on sexual wrongdoing in the workplace say that suggests legislators are not taking the problem seriously.

Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout
MSN – Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles (New York Times) | Published: 4/10/2018

The revelation that Cambridge Analytica improperly acquired the private Facebook data of millions of users has set off government inquiries, plunging Facebook into crisis. But it has also battered the nascent political network overseen by wealthy conservative donor Rebekah Mercer and financed by her father, Robert Mercer. Cambridge Analytica was co-founded by Robert Mercer. An advocacy group backing President Trump and controlled by Rebekah Mercer has gone silent following strategic disputes between her and other top donors. And no American candidate or super PAC has reported payments to Cambridge Analytica since the 2016 campaign.

Facebook’s New Rules Aim to Thwart the Kind of Ads Bought by Russian Trolls During the Election
Washington Post – Tony Romm | Published: 4/6/2018

Facebook announced a series of moves meant to improve the transparency of political ads and pages on its social media service. Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said in a post that the company has started requiring advertisers to verify their identity and location before they can run political ads. That verification is meant to prevent foreign interference in U.S. elections. Facebook will also soon start verifying the identify and location of people who run large Facebook pages. Officials say Russian agents used pages to pose as Americans on different sides of the political spectrum in an attempt to spread misinformation before the election.

Federal:

Investigators Focus on Another Trump Ally: The National Enquirer
WRAL – Jim Rutenberg, Emily Steel, and Mike McIntire (New York Times) | Published: 4/11/2018

President Trump has deep connections with the country’s largest tabloid publisher, American Media Inc (AMI), which publishes The National Enquirer. The company’s chairperson, David Pecker, is a close friend of the president’s. Since the early stages of his campaign, Trump, his lawyer Michael Cohen, and Pecker have strategized about protecting him and lashing out at his political enemies. Now AMI has been drawn into an investigation of Cohen’s activities, including efforts to head off potentially damaging stories about Trump during his run for the White House. The inquiry presents thorny questions about AMI’s First Amendment protections, and whether its record in supporting Trump somehow opens the door to scrutiny usually reserved for political organizations.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Ivey Signs Ethics Exemption for Developers into Law
AP News – Kim Chandler | Published: 4/6/2018

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law a bill that will exempt economic developers from the state ethics law. Economic developers would not be considered lobbyists and would not register with the state and disclose their employers and activity as lobbyists do, under the legislation. Supporters said developers do not currently register, but the law needed to be clarified because of recent questions over whether they should. Critics had argued that anyone seeking deals with the state should not be exempted, and such exemptions could be exploited.

Arizona – Ducey Signs Bill Overriding Local Laws on Certain Campaign-Finance Disclosures
Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 4/5/2018

Arizona cities are losing their right to demand that nonprofit groups seeking to sway local elections divulge who is financing the effort. Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation that pre-empts local ordinances requiring these groups to register as PACs. The measure, which takes effect this summer, also makes any effort to identify contributions off limits. It is not known whether Tempe will challenge the new law as an unconstitutional infringement on local powers. Tempe residents voted earlier this year to mandate disclosure of spending on local races.

Georgia – Man Gets Prison for Obstruction in Atlanta Bribery Probe
Washington Times – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 4/9/2018

An Atlanta man who threw a concrete block through a city contractor’s window to discourage him from talking to federal investigators was sentenced to prison for obstructing their bribery probe. Shandarrick Barnes had pleaded guilty to obstructing justice. He is the fourth person to receive a prison sentence after entering a guilty plea in the ongoing federal investigation into a “pay-to-play” scheme for city contracts. U.S. Attorney Kurt Erskine said Barnes used “mob-like tactics” to try to keep construction contractor Elvin Mitchell Jr. from cooperating with investigators.

Hawaii – What’s Up with All the Gut-And-Replace Trickery at The Legislature This Year?
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nathan Eagle | Published: 4/5/2018

Watchdog groups have called on the Hawaii Legislature for years to end “misleading practices which keep the public in the dark,” as their 2013 petition to the House and Senate put it. There is the “gut-and-replace” tactic, which involves removing the entire contents of a bill and inserting the contents of another in its place without any notice. And there are the so-called Frankenstein bills that keep the original contents of one bill and add the contents of another that had died earlier in the session. A common practice this session combines both tactics while giving a couple of days’ notice.

Kansas – Kansas AG Wants Court to Bar Out-of-State Residents from Running for Governor
Kansas City Star – Hunter Woodall | Published: 4/10/2018

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt filed a lawsuit to put the brakes on out-of-state gubernatorial candidates after 10 people living outside the state’s borders took initial steps to run. State law makes no express statement about candidates’ age or residency. News coverage about the lack of requirements has led to a slew of teenagers and non-Kansans forming campaign committees for a gubernatorial run. A man tried, and failed, to get his dog on the ballot.

Missouri – Woman: Sexual encounter with Greitens was not consensual. Lawmakers find her credible
Kansas City Star – Lindsay Wise (McClatchy) and Jason Hancock | Published: 4/11/2018

The crisis confronting Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens deepened with the release of a legislative report that outlines in detail new allegations about the governor’s behavior toward a woman who was his hair dresser. While Greitens has described the extramarital relations as “consensual,” the woman said it included unwanted and potentially coerced sexual acts that she felt afraid to say no to and physical violence, in addition to the threat of blackmail. The governor is facing a felony charge that he invaded the woman’s privacy by taking a nude photograh of her without her consent. The report raised the specter of impeachment for Greitens and prompted another round of calls for him to step down.

New Mexico – Biggest Donors Get Around Contribution Limits
New Mexico Political Report – Marjorie Childress (New Mexico In Depth) | Published: 4/9/2018

Even though New Mexico passed campaign contribution limits in 2009 after several high-profile elected officials went to jail for corruption, people still have the potential to contribute more than the limits by giving through companies they own, or combining with family members to give. A debate over contribution limits since then has often included arguments that limits just push money into political committees or “dark money” groups that spend money independently, making it more difficult for the public to know who is paying for political ads and other activities designed to influence elections. But good government advocates disagree.

New York – JCOPE Reaches Settlement with Top Lobbyist Over de Blasio Donation
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 4/9/2018

Lobbyist James Capalino agreed to pay $40,000 to settle an investigation by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). The commission has been investigating Capalino’s fundraising for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s now-defunct nonprofit Campaign for One New York. The probe relied on JCOPE’s re-interpretation of the state gift ban law. The law disallows public officials from accepting “valuable gifts” from people with business before state government if such a gift appears intended to influence the official. JCOPE in 2014 said donations to an official’s nonprofit are covered under the law.

Ohio – Amid FBI Investigation, Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger Resigns
Cincinnati Enquirer – Chrissie Thompson and Jessie Balmert | Published: 4/10/2018

Facing an FBI investigation into his spending and overseas travel, Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger said he will resign from office on May 1. Rosenberger has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle, which includes traveling around the world and staying in a luxury Columbus condominium owned by a wealthy Republican campaign donor. In August, Rosenberger took a four-day trip to London with GOP leaders from other states for an event paid for by the GOPAC Education Fund’s Institute for Leadership Development. Steve Dimon, a registered lobbyist for title lender LoanMax, also was on the trip. Title and payday lenders have been lobbying against proposed legislation in Ohio that would place restrictions on their industry. Dimon declined to say whether the two discussed any legislation or if he has been questioned by the FBI.

South Dakota – South Dakota a ‘Standout’ in Limiting Voters’ Ability to Bring Issues to the Ballot
Sioux Falls Argus Leader – Dana Ferguson | Published: 4/6/2018

South Dakota voters in 2016 passed a sweeping ethics reform initiative, which state legislators then struck down. A year after Initiated Measure 22’s demise, lawmakers passed a dozen bills tightening the reins on the initiative and referendum process. The onslaught of bills puts South Dakota in a league of its own in terms of restricting direct democracy. Now, advocates are scrambling to undo the laws that do the most damage before they are left fighting under the new constraints imposed on the process.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “15 Got Promotions from Court Clerk Dorothy Brown Within 6 Months of Donations” by Robert Herguth and Tanveer Ali for Chicago Sun-Times

New York: “JCOPE Continues Long-Running Probe of de Blasio Donors” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

South Dakota: “‘Pay to Play’ Questions Emerge in South Dakota Governor’s Race” by John Hult for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Elections

National: “Facebook’s Role in Data Misuse Sets Off Storms on Two Continents” by Matthew Rosenberg and Sheera Frenkel for New York Times

Ethics

North Carolina: “Cooper Names 8 to North Carolina Elections and Ethics Board” by Gary Robertson (Associated Press) for Durham Herald-Sun

Lobbying

National: “Bye-Bye Box Seats? Tax Law May Curb Corporate Cash at Games” by Marcy Gordon (Associated Press) for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Legislator’s Name Surfaces in Graft Case” by Doug Thompson for Arkansas Online

Procurement

Florida: “In Miami, MCM Thrives on Big County Contracts. Now It Faces the FIU Bridge Catastrophe” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald

Campaign Finance

National: “Despite Pledge to ‘Drain the Swamp,’ Trump Has Shown Little Interest in Beefing Up the Federal Election Commission” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee for Washington Post

District of Columbia: “D.C. Mayor, Reversing Course, Signs Law Creating Publicly Financed Campaigns” by Peter Jamison for Washington Post

Illinois: “Assessor Berrios Loses Court Fight to Overturn Cook County’s Limits on Campaign Donations” by Ray Long and Hal Dardick for Chicago Tribune

Missouri: “Heavyweight D.C. Law Firm Represented Hawley for Free in 2016” by Jason Hancock (Kansas City Star) and Lindsey Wise for McClatchy DC

Wyoming: “An Effort to Crackdown on ‘Dark Money’ in Wyoming Quietly Died at the Legislature. Nobody Is Quite Sure Why.” by Arno Rosenfeld for Casper Star-Tribune

Elections

National: “Strong Performance by Democrat Conor Lamb in Pennsylvania Shakes Trump and G.O.P.” by Peter Baker and Michael Shear for New York Times

Ethics

National: “Feds: Ex-aide to U.S. Rep. Bob Brady Targeted in Murder-for-Hire Plot” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

National: “Trump Jr. and Texas Donor Have Longtime Undisclosed Ties” by Jake Pearson (Associated Press) for Chicago Tribune

Missouri: “‘Potential for Corruption Here Is Unbelievable’: Who’s paying Greitens’ legal bills?” by Lindsey Wise (McClatchy DC) and Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

North Carolina: “Duke Energy Threatens Advocacy Group with Legal Action Over Financial Claims” by John Murawski for Raleigh News and Observer

Legislative Issues

North Carolina: “Cooper Sues Again While Court Rejects Elections Board Motion” by Gary Robertson (Associated Press) for Raleigh News and Observer

Ethics

National: “Labor Board’s Do-Over Leaves an Obama-Era Rule Intact” by Noam Scheiber for New York Times

National: “‘I Do Like 3 Meetings a Day on That’: HUD official complained about effort to redecorate Carson’s office” by Jack Gillium and Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post

National: “White House Communications Director Hope Hicks to Resign” by Philip Parker and Ashley Parker for Washington Post

California: “A Tiny City with Huge Problems, Maywood Faces Its Biggest Scandal Yet” by Ruben Vives and Adam Elmahrek for Los Angeles Times

Colorado: “Colorado Rep. Steve Lebsock Faces Expulsion after 11 Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Him Are Deemed Credible” by John Frank and Jessie Paul for Denver Post

South Carolina: “In Angry Hearing, Special Prosecutor Asks Judge in Quinn Case to Quit” by John Monk for The State

Wisconsin: “State Elections Commission Chief Stepping Down Amid Criticism from Republicans” by Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Lobbying

National: “Exiting Trump Officials Get Tepid Response on Job Market” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

National: “Mercury Registers to Lobby for Turkish Group Linked to Flynn” by Theodoric Meyer for Politico

Virginia: “Female Lobbyist Calls Out Sexual Misconduct at Statehouse” by Marina Villeneuve (Associated Press) for Virginian-Pilot

Campaign Finance

California: “L.A. Developer Is Charged with Making Illegal Campaign Donations” by David Zahniser and Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Nebraska: “Proposal Would Tighten How Candidates Spend Unused Campaign Donations” by Chris Dunker for Lincoln Journal Star

New York: “In Spite of Executive Order, Cuomo Takes Campaign Money from State Appointees” by Shane Goldmacher, Brian Rosenthal, and Augustin Armendariz for New York Times

Ethics

National: “Former Trump Campaign Official Rick Gates Pleads Guilty to 2 Charges” by Devlin Barrett and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) for Denver Post

Maryland: “Baltimore County School Board Says Verletta White Violated Ethics Rules” by Liz Bowie for Baltimore Sun

Utah: “Critics Question Utah Lawmakers’ Changes to Ethics Panel” by Michelle Price (Associated Press) for KSL

Virginia: “Va. Lawmakers’ Conflict-of-Interest Forms Won’t Be Public Until They Leave Town” by Patrick Wilson for Richmond Times Dispatch

Lobbying

National: “How Skadden, the Giant Law Firm, Got Entangled in the Mueller Investigation” by Kenneth Vogel and Matthew Goldstein for New York Times

West Virginia: “Justice Company Rep Has Unique Access to Capitol Among Lobbyists” by Jake Zuckerman for Charleston Gazette-Mail

Let Becky take you through a busy week in government and ethics news in this week’s video digest!