Lewis Reed, the longtime president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen resigned five days after being indicted on corruption charges.

Ward 22 Alderman Jeffrey Boyd also resigned after being indicted on two bribery-related offenses and two separate counts of wire fraud.

Ward 21 Alderman John Collins-Muhammad, who was also indicted, resigned last month.

The St Louis City Charter requires these vacancies to be filled by special election no sooner than 75 days and no later than 90 days after the occurrence of the vacancy.

Cincinnati City Councilman Alexander “P.G.” Sittenfeld was arrested on federal corruption charges.

He is the third council member to be arrested this year.

Sittenfeld denies the allegations of bribery and attempted extortion and does not plan to resign.

If he does resign, four members of the council will choose his successor by a majority vote.

The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission backed new restrictions on political contributions from real estate developers seeking city approval for their building plans.

The proposed ban applies to those who are “substantially involved” in a proposed development project, such as real estate executives, architects, engineers, and others.

The commission also supports new restrictions on behested payments, and it endorsed the idea of banning contributions from businesses, unions, organizations, and other entities, allowing only for contributions from individuals.

The FBI is continuing its probe into corruption at City Hall.

Federal Lobbyists are now required to disclose convictions for bribery, fraud, and other crimes when registering and reporting.

President Trump signed Senate Bill 2896, the “Justice Against Corruption on K Street Act of 2018” or the “JACK Act” on January 3. On December 20, 2018 the U.S. Congress passed the bill, which passed the U.S. Senate in August with unanimous consent.

The new law requires lobbyists to disclose any prior conviction for bribery, extortion, embezzlement, illegal kickbacks, tax evasion, fraud, conflicts of interest, making false statements, perjury, or money laundering.

The House voted 390-0 to pass the Senate’s bill on to President Trump.

Sen. Nathaniel Oaks resigned from the Maryland Senate before pleading guilty to corruption charges on March 29, 2018.

Gov. Larry Hogan will appoint a person to fill the vacancy from a name submitted by the Democrats.

Hogan’s spokesman stated the governor does not plan to name a successor before the General Assembly adjourns.

Campaign Finance

“Fueled by Small Donations, Donald Trump Makes Up Major Financial Ground” by Nicholas Confessore and Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

New Jersey: “Extortion or Politics? A Detailed Look at Sweeney’s Claim vs. Unions’ Pension Threats” by Susan Livio (NJ Advance Media) for NJ.com

Ethics

California: “The Coliseum Case is the Latest Embarrassment for D.A.’s Corruption Unit” by Paul Pringle and Rong-Gong Lin II for Los Angeles Times

Connecticut: “Budget Director: Governor Can Cut Watchdog Agencies’ Funding” by Susan Haigh (Associated Press) for Washington Times

District of Columbia: “D.C. Council Member Tries to Tamp Down Furor Over Conflict of Interest” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post

Hawaii: “Yamane Heads City Ethics Panel” by Chad Blair for Honolulu Civil Beat

Virginia: “Former Va. First Lady Maureen McDonnell’s Corruption Case on Hold” by Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

Virginia: “DC-Area Mayor Faces Drug Charges After Meth-for-Sex Sting” by Matthew Barakat (Associated Press) for ABC News

Elections

“Democrats, Looking Past Mere Victory, Hope to End the Trump Movement” by Amy Chozick for New York Times

“U.S. Seeks to Protect Voting System from Cyberattacks” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis for New York Times

Kansas: “Kansas Republicans Reject Gov. Sam Brownback’s Conservatives in Primary” by Mitch Smith for New York Times

Tennessee: “A Lawmaker Was Jailed for Stealing Campaign Signs. His Bail Came from a Surprising Source” by Lindsey Bever for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“IRS Gives Opposite Rulings to Convention Committees” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

California: “Campaign Cash: A Journey Through the Cal-Access Labyrinth” by Cosmo Garvin for Capitol Weekly

Connecticut: “U.S. Attorney Opens Probe of Malloy’s 2014 Campaign Fundraising” by Keith Phaneuf and Mark Pazniokas for CT Mirror

Ethics

“As Pick for No. 2, Tim Kaine Sees Gifts Come Under Scrutiny” by Eric Lipton and Steve Eder for New York Times

Massachusetts: “Supreme Court’s Corruption Decision Could Affect Mass. Cases” by Shelley Murphy for Boston Globe

New York: “N.Y. Lawmakers Seek to Strengthen State Bribery Law” by Matthew Hamilton for Albany Times Union

Elections

“DNC Turmoil Confirms Warnings: Hackers Are Targeting Campaigns” by Eric Geller for Politico

Louisiana: “Former KKK Leader David Duke, Citing Trump, Announces Senate Bid” by Elise Viebeck for Washington Post

Lobbying

“In Brussels and London, Lobbyists Retool for Brexit Unknowns” by Quentin Ariès and Kalina Oroschakoff for Politico

Pennsylvania: “Consulting Business Owned by Mike Fleck Fined $11,850 by State” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “Political Consultant Files Legal Challenge to Stop Denver Campaign Finance Reform Proposal” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Maine: “Top Legislators’ PACs Reap Thousands from Key Donors” by Colin Woodard for Portland Press Herald

Montana: “Review of Montana’s Political Party Committees Underway, Some Will Be Reclassified” by Troy Carter for Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Washington: “Supporters of Campaign Finance Measure Submit Signatures” by Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) for Yakima Herald

Ethics

California: “Beaumont, Stunned by Years of Alleged Corruption, Has Been ‘Turned Upside Down’” by Paloma Esquivel for Los Angeles Times

New Mexico: “Former Sen. Phil Griego to Face Trial on Nine Corruption Charges” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Virginia: “Crime Commission Attorney Named New Director of Va. Ethics Council” by Graham Moomaw for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Elections

“Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Struggle to Be Unifying Voice for Nation” by Patrick Healy for New York Times

This week the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the conviction of former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell, who was convicted on ethics charges in 2014.

The Court unanimously ruled the interpretation of bribery law was overly broad and making phone calls and setting up meetings did not constitute official action. McDonnell was accused of accepting more than $175,000 in gifts from a Virginia businessman wanting to do business with the commonwealth.

Some legal experts think this ruling will make it more difficult to prosecute corruption cases in the future, while others believe it fits with past rulings where courts required more than just the appearance of impropriety.

Photo of former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell by Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

Oklahoma: “Legislators, State Officials Accept More Gifts from Interest Groups” by Trevor Brown for Oklahoma Watch

Campaign Finance

“Wall Street Donors Seek to Block Warren VP Pick” by Ben White for Politico

Montana: “Judge Rules Wittich Can Remain in Office after Taking Illegal Campaign Contributions” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) for Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Wisconsin: “As the Government Accountability Board Ends, What’s the Future for Wisconsin Campaign Finance Regulation?” by Katelyn Ferral for Capital Times

Ethics

Connecticut: “Attorney Gets Reprimand for Drafting Rowland Consulting Contract” by Michelle Tuccitto Sullo for Connecticut Law Tribune

New York: “New York Lawmakers Leave Albany Without Big Ethics Reforms” by David Klepper (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

New York: “3 New York Police Department Commanders Are Arrested on Corruption Charges” by William Rashbaum and Joseph Goldstein for New York Times

Elections

“Courts, Judges Become Top Political Targets in 2016 Elections” by Dave Helling for Kansas City Star

“Donald Trump Fires Embattled Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski” by Philip Rucker, Jose DelReal, and Sean Sullivan for Washington Post

Ohio: “John Kasich Vetoes Republican-Backed Voting Bill” by Darrel Rowland for Columbus Dispatch

The Assembly adjourned early on Saturday, June 18, two days later than scheduled.

In light of corruption convictions for former Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, ethics reform was a primary focus of this term. The Legislature came to agreement on a five-point reform plan, including Assembly Bill 10739, which allows courts to reduce or revoke pensions for lawmakers convicted of felony-level corruption charges related to their responsibilities as public officials.

The bill is a constitutional amendment, so lawmakers will have to hold another vote at the beginning of the next regular session before voters will decide whether or not to accept the measure.

The Legislature was scheduled to adjourn Thursday, but will instead return Friday in an effort to reach final agreement on a few key bills.

Assembly Bill 10739 has been sent to the Senate for review. If it is successful there, the bill would allow courts to revoke or reduce lawmakers’ pensions and retirement rights if they are convicted of felony-level corruption offenses.

Although a slew of other ethics reform bills was introduced during this session, no others are currently expected to pass.

Lobbying

“Brussels Lobbying Not Transparent Enough, Admit Lobbyists” by Chris Harris for euronews

Campaign Finance

New Jersey: “Another Birdsall Executive Sentenced to Jail” by Dan Radel for Asbury Park Press

Ethics

Alabama: “Michael Hubbard, Alabama House Speaker, Is Convicted on 12 Felony Ethics Charges” by Alan Blinder for New York Times

Nevada: “Nevada Bill Kept Legislators from Being Investigated” by Bethany Barnes for Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ohio: “Corrupt Cleveland VA Head William Montague Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison” by Eric Heisig for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Elections

“Why Political Parties Never Die” by Seth Masket for Politico

“To Understand Clinton’s Moment, Consider That It Came 32 Years After Ferraro’s” by Alison Mitchell for New York Times

“Trump and Clinton and Their Very Different Responses to the Orlando Shootings” by Juliet Eilperin, Robert Costa, and Anne Gearan for Washington Post

Sen. Robert Ortt has introduced a new plan to fight corruption in the Legislature.

His “Shake up the Status Quo” plan aims to fight corruption by combining elements from several recent bills into a single bill with three planks: pension forfeiture for elected officials convicted of corruption charges; term limits; and additional ethics oversight.

Although Ortt is optimistic the bill can pass before the Legislature adjourns, only nine days are left in the legislative session.