October 26, 2017 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

Lobbying Florida: “City Manager Asked Lobbyist for Football Tickets” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat New York: “Reform Group Criticizes JCOPE’s Online Lobbying Filing System” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union Campaign Finance Arizona: “Tempe Considers Ballot Measure to […]

October 25, 2017 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

Lobbying Washington: “Seattle Mayoral Aide Sees Conflict of Interest in Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Campaign Finance “Black Executives Join Forces, Forming a PAC to Back Them Up” by Kate Kelly for New York Times […]

October 24, 2017 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

Lobbying “Mueller Now Investigating Democratic Lobbyist Tony Podesta” by Tom Winter and Julia Ainsley for NBC News Campaign Finance “Democrats Ban Some Corporate Donations While Approving Controversial New Member List” by David Weigel for Washington Post California: “Feds Toss Jury […]

October 20, 2017 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

NYCU Video Digest – October 20, 2017

Time for your weekly recap of the government and ethics news you can use in this week’s video digest!

October 20, 2017 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 20, 2017

National: Wary of Hackers, States Move to Upgrade Voting Systems New York Times – Michael Wines | Published: 10/14/2017 State election officials, worried about the integrity of their voting systems, are pressing to make them more secure ahead of next […]

National:

Wary of Hackers, States Move to Upgrade Voting Systems
New York Times – Michael Wines | Published: 10/14/2017

State election officials, worried about the integrity of their voting systems, are pressing to make them more secure ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Reacting in large part to Russian efforts to hack the presidential election last year, a growing number of states are upgrading electoral databases and voting machines, and even adding cybersecurity experts to their election teams. The efforts amount to the largest overhaul of the nation’s voting infrastructure since the contested presidential election in 2000 spelled an end to punch-card ballots and voting machines with mechanical levers.

Federal:

Republican Lawmakers’ Posh Hideaway Bankrolled by Secret Corporate Cash
Center for Public Integrity – Carrie Levine | Published: 10/18/2017

Behind the scenes at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, several major corporations and trade groups secretly bankrolled a plush hideaway for lawmakers. The companies funded Friends of the House 2016 LLC, which in turn paid for the design and outfitting of an exclusive office, lounge, and gathering space for legislators, and controlled access to the so-called cloakroom. That effectively hid the corporations’ donations from public view. National political conventions are legendary opportunities for access to lawmakers, despite ethics reforms passed in the wake of influence peddling scandals. Complex rules govern even the details of events, such as food menus, but often turn on technical points, forcing lawyers to double-check legal advice every four years.

From the States and Municipalities:

California: Female Lawmakers, Staffers and Lobbyists Speak Out on ‘Pervasive’ Harassment in California’s Capitol
Los Angeles Times – Melanie Mason | Published: 10/17/2017

More than 140 women – including state legislators, staff, political consultants, and lobbyists – are signing a letter calling out the “pervasive” culture of sexual harassment and mistreatment that plagues California politics. Their goal is to prompt changes in how harassment is handled and to force some soul-searching among those at the Capitol. Sexism is not exclusive to politics, but it can be particularly potent, many of the letter’s participants said, because of an imbalanced dynamic in which lawmakers and top lobbyists – predominantly men – hold much of the decision-making power.

Idaho: Idaho Lawmakers Reject Removal of Campaign Donation Limits; Call for More Reporting, Disclosure
Spokane Spokesman-Review – Betsy Russell | Published: 10/18/2017

A bipartisan working group of Idaho lawmakers rejected a proposal to eliminate all the state’s limits on campaign contributions, and instead endorsed changes to require more frequent and more detailed disclosures, including adding new reporting in local races and requiring information about who is behind shadowy outside groups that run independent expenditure campaigns. The panel also received a draft bill to give Idaho its first-ever financial disclosure requirements for officeholders and candidates; Idaho is one of just two states with no such requirements.

Kansas: Olathe GOP Lawmaker Takes on Additional Job: Senior government strategist with Cerner
Kansas City Star – Hunter Woodall | Published: 10/18/2017

Kansas Rep. Erin Davis has taken a job with the Cerner Corp. as a senior government strategist while still holding elected office. She said she did not see her Cerner job as a conflict-of-interest. “My territory is [the] Northwest United States. … Kansas is not part of my territory,” Davis said. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment currently has a contract with Cerner that runs through the end of 2019 to administer the state employee health plan wellness program.

Louisiana: As Quatrevaux Leaves New Orleans IG’s Office, Turmoil and Infighting Abound: ‘It’s vindictive’
New Orleans Advocate – Jessica Williams | Published: 10/17/2017

New Orleans; inspector general for the past eight years, Ed Quatrevaux, is retiring under duress after the board that oversees his work announced a national search for a replacement and after a report written by Howard Schwartz, a top deputy, alleged mismanagement and even corruption within the office. A second top deputy who was targeted in the report, Nadiene Van Dyke, is also expected to retire. On his way out, Quatrevaux fired Schwartz, accusing him of bias and a conflict-of-interest, essentially saying Schwartz had written the report to line up the top job for himself. Given the bitterness of the infighting, there is a range of opinions about how to restore the luster to an office whose efficacy largely depends on its reputation for integrity.

Maine: Lawmakers Call York County Casino Campaign a ‘Case Study’ in Abuse of Initiative Process
Portland Press Herald – Scott Thistle | Published: 10/18/2017

The ballot question that asks Maine voters to allow a developer to build a casino in the state is the “poster child” for a citizen’s referendum process run amok, members of the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee said. Sen. Roger Katz said the casino campaign violates the intent of the referendum process, a part of the Maine Constitution meant to give citizens a way to enact laws through a statewide vote if their elected representatives fail to respond to public concerns. He said the committee would explore ideas at its next meeting for reforming the initiative process.

Maryland: Ex-Liquor Board Director Admits Tipping Off Those in Bribery Scheme to FBI Probe
Washington Post – Lynh Bui | Published: 10/18/2017

A former Prince George’s County liquor board official pleaded guilty to conspiracy, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors say David Dae Sok Son acted as a middle man between liquor store owners and elected officials to influence state legislation related to Sunday liquor sales. When the FBI questioned Son in December, he then tried to tip off people being investigated about the probe, prosecutors said. Son also told a restaurant manager in Beltsville who had agreed to pay a $50,000 bribe for a liquor license that the authorities were investigating the manager. That manager subsequently left the country.

Massachusetts: Massachusetts’ Top Court to Rule on Union Campaign Donation Loophole
New Boston Post – Evan Lips | Published: 10/12/2017

A conservative fiscal watchdog that has spent the last several years trying to overturn Massachusetts’ ban on campaign donations from business owners announced its case will be decided by the state’s top court. The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance began challenging the state’s union donation loophole in court in 2015. State campaign finance law allows labor groups, even those based out of state, to flood Massachusetts political campaigns with donations of up to $15,000. In-state businesses, however, are barred from paying anything to prop up candidates. Donations from individuals, meanwhile, are capped at $1,000.

New Jersey: N.J. Elections: Political fundraising laws must be updated, watchdog commission says
Bergen Record – Catherine Carrera | Published: 10/18/2017

In what the state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) says is an indication that campaign donors are sidestepping New Jersey’s “pay-to-play” laws, fundraising by party-based committees is down for the 2017 election cycle when compared with 2013, the last time the governor’s seat and full Legislature were up for grabs. That has led to calls from the ELEC to update the laws regarding political donations, particularly those that apply to special-interest groups that are loosely affiliated with a party. Those PACs are not subject to current laws that require full disclosure.

New York: Vance Controversy Spotlights Lax Campaign Finance Rules for District Attorneys
Gotham Gazette – Rachel Silberstein | Published: 10/16/2017

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. was recently dragged into an unflattering spotlight over his decision not to prosecute disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein for a forcible touching incident in 2015 and for dropping a fraud investigation into members of the Trump family, while apparently receiving campaign contributions from lawyers associated with both parties. While it is not illegal, or uncommon, for district attorneys to accept contributions from lawyers in any type of practice, the details of the two cases, including the relevant campaign donations, are drawing newfound scrutiny to New York’s loose campaign finance rules for prosecutors and invite a new strain of questions about whether legal immunity can be bought by the rich and powerful.

Ohio: All State Senators Will Undergo Sexual Harassment Training, Senate President Says
Cleveland Plain Dealer – Laura Hancock | Published: 10/18/2017

Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof said all senators will be required undergo sexual harassment training in the wake of Sen. Cliff Hite’s resignation for inappropriate behavior toward a woman. Hite said he talked to a female state employee in a way that was inappropriate for a married man and asked her for hugs. He said there was no physical contact beyond that. Obhof also said he does not think the Senate has a widespread problem with sexual harassment. He said the training, for both Republicans and Democrats and their staffs in the Senate, is intended to eliminate any ambiguity over what is and is not appropriate.

Pennsylvania: Philly PAC Hit with Record Fine for Failing to Report $160,000 in Campaign Spending
WHYY – Dana DiFilippo | Published: 10/16/2017

A PAC faces a $60,000 fine for failing to file required campaign finance reports for money it spent to sway voters in Philadelphia’s May 2015 primary. Three city council members paid thousands of dollars to Citizens Organizing for Pennsylvania’s Security to help influence voters. So did developer Ori Feibush, who sent the PAC more than $65,000 during his failed bid to for the council. Those payments were legal and the campaigns filed the necessary reports. But how the PAC spent the money has remained a mystery, since it did not file campaign finance reports, as city law requires.

South Carolina: Criminal Conspiracy Charges Lodged against Richard Quinn, 4 Others in S.C. Statehouse Corruption Case
Charleston Post and Courier – Glenn Smith and Andy Shain | Published: 10/18/2017

Political consultant Richard Quinn, along with former state Reps. Jim Harrison and Tracy Edge, were indicted in a corruption scheme that has now ensnared half a dozen South Carolina lawmakers. In addition, Rep. Rick Quinn, the elder Quinn’s son, was charged with criminal conspiracy. Sen. John Courson was charged with statutory misconduct in office. Both Rep. Quinn and Courson already faced other misconduct charges. Richard Quinn has been a clear target of the probe for months but the consultant had largely remained on the sidelines as others around him were indicted. The newest developments bring him front and center in the criminal case while looping in present and former lawmakers with ties to a firm with tentacles throughout state government.

Tennessee: Michael Flynn, Nicki Minaj Shared Content from This Tennessee GOP Account. But It Wasn’t Real. It Was Russian.
Washington Post – Craig Timberg, Elizabeth Dwoskin, and Adam Entous | Published: 10/18/2017

Russian internet trolls ran a popular Twitter account that claimed to belong to the Tennessee Republican Party. Twitter took nearly a year to shut down the account, @TEN_GOP, despite repeated notifications from the state’s real Republican Party pointing out the account was fake. The account had a knack for pushing incendiary content across the social media platform. The list of prominent people who tweeted out links from the account includes political figures such as Michael Flynn and Roger Stone, celebrities like Nicki Minaj and James Woods, and media personalities such as Ann Coulter and Chris Hayes. There is no evidence any of them knew the account was run by Russians.

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.

October 17, 2017 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

Lobbying California: “California Legislators Who Resign Face a Longer Wait Before They Can Lobby” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times Campaign Finance California: “San Francisco Looks to Restrict Fundraising Practice Favored by Los Angeles Mayor” by Aaron Mendelson for […]

October 13, 2017 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

NYCU Video Digest – October 13, 2017

Becky is back! Keeping you up to date on a busy week in government and ethics news from around the country

October 13, 2017 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 13, 2017

National: How Russia Harvested American Rage to Reshape U.S. Politics New York Times – Nicholas Confessore and Daisuke Wakabayashi | Published: 10/9/2017 A New York Times examination of hundreds of Facebook posts shows one of the most powerful weapons that Russian agents […]

National:

How Russia Harvested American Rage to Reshape U.S. Politics
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore and Daisuke Wakabayashi | Published: 10/9/2017

A New York Times examination of hundreds of Facebook posts shows one of the most powerful weapons that Russian agents used to reshape American politics was the anger, passion, and misinformation that real Americans were broadcasting across social media platforms. Some posts on the Russian pages used stilted language or phrases rarely found in American English. Yet their use of borrowed ideas and arguments from Americans, which were already resonating among conservatives and liberals, demonstrated a deft understanding of the political terrain.

Why Some Campaign Contributions Get Returned
Center for Responsive Politics – Andrew Mayersohn | Published: 10/10/2017

Refunds of campaign contributions are not rare, and most are not particularly scandalous. Losing campaigns often give back their leftover funds, although they are not legally obligated to. The issue came to the fore recently when Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. returned a $32,000 contribution from Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Marc Kasowitz, who made the donation after Vance decided not to pursue a fraud investigation against Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. At least a dozen Democrats have refunded or donated to charity contributions from media mogul Harvey Weinstein following reports alleging decades of sexual harassment.

Federal:

Trump Supporters Eager to ‘Drain the Swamp’ Help Fill Republican Party Coffers
Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 10/6/2017

Prodded by emails from President Trump urging them to fight “a weak and self-serving political class,” and angered by the sense the president is being treated unfairly, thousands of his loyal backers are helping redefine a party that has long cultivated rich donors, one small contribution at a time. In giving to support Trump, his backers are pouring tens of millions of dollars into the coffers of the Republican National Committee (RNC), which has raised more from small-dollar contributions at this point in the election cycle than the national party has collected in more than a decade. The low-dollar donations are helping fuel a massive fundraising advantage for the RNC, which has pulled in nearly twice as much as its Democratic counterpart this year.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama: Undisclosed Deal Guaranteed Roy Moore $180,000 a Year for Part-Time Work at Charity
Washington Post – Shawn Boburg and Robert O’Harrow Jr. | Published: 10/11/2017

Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, arranged to receive a salary of $180,000 a year for part-time work at the Foundation for Moral Law. A review of documents found errors and gaps in the group’s federal tax filings obscured until now the compensation paid to Moore. The charity helped Moore thrive, financially and otherwise, after his ouster from the court in 2003 for refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument from a courthouse. Charity and tax law specialists said the nonprofit’s activities raised questions about compliance with IRS rules, including prohibitions on the use of a charity for the private benefit or enrichment of an individual.

California: Big Oil Pulls Democratic Lawmakers Through the Revolving Door
CALmatters – Lauren Rosenhall | Published: 10/9/2017

Sacramento is full of termed-out or retired lawmakers who make second careers as lobbyists, strolling through a “revolving door” between government and the private sector. After failing last year to prevent a new law requiring massive cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, the oil industry came back this year lobbying hard. The industry’s goal was to shape the next phase of cap and trade through 2030. And it had hired four former lawmakers to advocate on its behalf. Two are from Kern County, the biggest oil producer in California. And three quit their elective office mid-term to work for industry.

California: Who’s Behind That Political Ad? Voters Will Know More in 2018
Sacramento Bee – Taryn Luna | Published: 10/7/2017

An effort to give Californians more information about the biggest donors to ballot measure campaigns was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, a major victory for groups that insist the current system fails to help voters make an informed choice. The law will simplify the wording on political advertisements that discloses the top three donors of $50,000 or more to a campaign. It also changes existing state regulations on when and how to disclose “earmarked” donations in campaign finance reports, donations that are bundled together by a group such as a labor union or other membership organization.

Colorado: A New Colorado School Board Campaign Finance Law Is Having Unintended Impacts on Big-Ticket 2018 Races
Denver Post – Jesse Paul | Published: 10/10/2017

A new campaign finance law for Colorado school board races is causing headaches for candidates in the state’s top-line elections in 2018, from governor to attorney general and beyond, by requiring them to effectively file daily contribution reports more than eight months before their primary contests. State lawmakers last year passed legislation meant to make public last-minute contributions flowing into Colorado’s off-year school board races by requiring candidates to disclose contributions of $1,000 or more within 24 hours starting a month from the election. But House Bill 1282 accidentally applied the requirements to statewide races.

Florida: An Exodus from Puerto Rico Could Remake Florida Politics
New York Times – Michael Tackett | Published: 10/6/2017

Every day, Puerto Ricans flee their homes and lives ravaged by Hurricane Maria and come to Florida. That could remake politics in the state, where the last two presidential and governor’s races were decided by roughly one percentage point or less. There are more than a million Puerto Ricans in Florida, a number that has doubled since 2001, driven largely until now by a faltering economy. But their political powers have evolved slowly in this state, and the wave of potential voters from the island could quickly change that calculus. If the estimates hold, the Puerto Rican vote, which has been strongly Democratic, could have rough parity with the Cuban vote in the state, for years a bulwark for Republicans in both state and national races.

Florida: Governance Was Focus of 2010 Miami-Dade Ethics Probe
Tallahassee Democrat – Jeff Burlew | Published: 10/7/2017

An ethics probe in South Florida involving Tallahassee Commissioner Scott Maddox and his close friend Paige Carter-Smith found insufficient evidence of wrongdoing but unveiled plenty of political drama and some of the inner workings of their government consulting work. Among other things, the investigation, conducted in 2010, revealed that Maddox’s official residence was used for some time as a crash pad for visiting politicians, who called it “Governance House.” It also showed blurry lines between Carter-Smith’s Governance Services firm and Governance, Inc., the firm Maddox sold to her in 2010 in a handwritten note.

Florida: St. Petersburg Council Acts to Limit Big Money in City Elections
Tampa Bay Times – Charlie Frago | Published: 10/5/2017

The St. Petersburg City Council voted to become a pioneer in local campaign finance reform and likely invited a legal challenge that could end up in the U.S. Supreme Court. Council members passed an ordinance that limits contributions to PACs from individuals to $5,000, and bans donations from companies that are more than five percent foreign owned. Violators would be fined $500. City Attorney Joe Patner has warned the council that if they passed the proposal, they would face immediate court action. The ordinance takes effect in January 2018.

Georgia: Atlanta Contractors Get Prison Time in Contract Bribery Case
Bryan-College Station Eagle – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 10/10/2017

A federal judge gave prison sentences to two contractors for their role in a bribery scheme at Atlanta City Hall. E.R. Mitchell and Charles Richards both admitted to paying money to win city contracts. Mitchell gave more than $1 million in bribes and was sentenced to five years in prison. He will pay $1.12 million in restitution. Richards received a sentence of 27 months in prison and was ordered to pay $193,000 in restitution. The city’s former chief procurement officer, Adam Smith, pleaded guilty to conspiratorial bribery and is set to be sentenced in January. Prosecutors say Smith accepted bribes to give contracts to an unnamed vendor.

New Mexico: New Rule on Political Spending Takes Effect
Albuquerque Journal – Dan Boyd | Published: 10/10/2017

New disclosure rules for political spending took effect October 10 in New Mexico that require independent groups that spend heavily to influence the outcome of elections to name their contributors, under certain circumstances. The rules were designed by Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver to help voters understand which individuals and special interests are paying for political advertising outside of direct campaigning by candidates. The U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision allows donors to give as much as they would like as long as candidates are not controlling how the money gets spent.

Oklahoma: Speakers Criticize Plan to Put Restrictions on Lawmakers, State Employees Who Want to Go into Lobbying
Tulsa World – Barbara Hoberock | Published: 10/5/2017

A proposed rule that would prohibit state lawmakers and employees from serving as a lobbyist or consultant for two years after they leave any state post was criticized at a recent public hearing before the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. Rep. John Enns said the Capitol has lost institutional knowledge due to term limits. If restrctions are placed on lawmakers who become lobbyists, it could slow down the Legislature’s work due to a shortage of people with experience with the process, Enns said. Commission Executive Director Ashley Kemp said the measure’s language may be modified.

South Carolina: Who Wins When Power Companies Make Political Contributions? The Lawmakers Who Police Utilities
The State – Avery Wilks | Published: 10/7/2017

Power companies have contributed at least $294,000 since 2005 to the campaigns of a handful of South Carolina lawmakers who help choose the watchdogs that oversee those utilities. The volume of the donations flowing to members of the legislatively controlled Public Utilities Review Committee is another sign South Carolina’s regulatory system is broken, critics say, noting the $1.7 billion that one utility was allowed to charge its customers for a failed nuclear construction project in Fairfield County. One House member said he soon will file a proposal to block regulated utilities from donating to campaigns of state-level candidates, including the lawmakers who decide who polices those utilities.

Texas: Texas AG Ken Paxton Faces New Investigation Under Bribery Statute over $100K Gift
Dallas News – Lauren McGaughy | Published: 10/5/2017

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is under investigation for accepting $100,000 from the head of a company that was being investigated for fraud, and a decision on whether to pursue bribery-related charges is expected soon. The money, part of almost $548,000 Paxton has collected to help pay for his legal defense against felony charges that he defrauded investors in private business deals in 2011, came from James Webb, president of Preferred Imaging. Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Wiley said she has been investigating whether accepting Webb’s donation violated state bribery laws that limit gifts from people subject to the “jurisdiction” of a public servant.

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.

October 11, 2017 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

Lobbying California: “Big Oil Pulls Democratic Lawmakers Through the Revolving Door” by Lauren Rosenhall for CALmatters Missouri: “Will a Former Aide Break Greitens’ Ethics Rule?” by Kurt Greitens for St. Louis Post-Dispatch Campaign Finance “The ‘Resistance,’ Raising Big Money, Upends […]

October 9, 2017 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

Governor Calls Special Elections to fill Vacancies in Missouri House

Gov. Eric Greitens recently issued writs of election for House Districts 97, 129, and 144. State Rep. John McCaherty resigned unexpectedly last month from District 97 to focus on running for Jefferson county executive. Sandy Crawford’s District 129 seat was […]

October 3, 2017 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

Lobbying “Monsanto Banned from European Parliament” by Arthur Nelson for The Guardian “‘Little Lobbyists’ Help Save the Health Care Law, for Now” by Robert Pear for New York Times Arizona: “ASU, AU Shield Lobbying Expenses Via Foundations” by Jim Small […]

September 29, 2017 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – September 29, 2017

National: GOP Governors Launch a ‘News’ Website with a Mission to Get Themselves Elected Business Insider – Bill Barrow (Associated Press) | Published: 9/19/2017 The Republican Governors Association (RGA) launched an online publication that looks like a media outlet and […]

National:

GOP Governors Launch a ‘News’ Website with a Mission to Get Themselves Elected
Business Insider – Bill Barrow (Associated Press) | Published: 9/19/2017

The Republican Governors Association (RGA) launched an online publication that looks like a media outlet and is branded as such on social media. The Free Telegraph blares headlines about the virtues of GOP governors, while framing Democrats negatively. It asks readers to sign up for breaking news alerts. It launched in the summer bearing no acknowledgement that it was a product of an official party committee whose sole purpose is to get more Republicans elected. The RGA describes the website as routine political communication. Critics say it pushes the limits of honest campaign tactics in an era of increasingly partisan media and a proliferation of “fake news” sites.

Your Favorite Companies May Be Political Black Boxes
Center for Public Integrity – Lateshia Beachum | Published: 9/26/2017

A new study on corporate disclosure and accountability showed a slight dip in the number of companies that disclosed some or all their election-related spending, or banned such spending altogether. The study also revealed a trend toward more managerial and board oversight of political spending and more disclosure or prohibition of campaign donations. Scores were calculated based on 24 indicators that range from whether a company publicly discloses corporate contributions to political committees and organizations, including politically active nonprofit organizations that do not themselves disclose their donors, to whether it posts a detailed report of its corporate political spending on its website.

Federal:

At Least 6 White House Advisers Used Private Email Accounts
New York Times – Matt Apuzzo and Maggie Haberman | Published: 9/25/2017

At least six members of President Trump’s White House have used private email addresses while conducting government business. Current and former officials say former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, former chief strategist Stephen Bannon, and current advisers Gary Cohn and Stephen Miller sent or received government-related emails on personal email accounts, in addition to two staffers who were previously reported. The news follows reports that senior adviser and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has used a private email for White House business, and that Ivanka Trump used a personal email account to communicate with a member of the administration.

Ethics Office: Anonymous gifts to legal defense funds are not allowed
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 9/28/2017

The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) clarified its policy on legal defense funds, stating that anonymous contributions should not be accepted. The announcement comes after a report that suggested the OGE was departing from internal policy regarding the donations, paving the way for federal officials to accept anonymous donations from otherwise prohibited groups, such as lobbyists, to offset their legal bills. The White House has said it would not allow an employee to receive anonymous donations should someone set up a legal defense funds.

Russian Operatives Used Facebook Ads to Exploit Divisions Over Black Political Activism and Muslims
Washington Post – Adam Entous, Craig Timberg, and Elizabeth Dwoskin | Published: 9/25/2017

The batch of more than 3,000 Russian-bought ads that Facebook is preparing to turn over to Congress shows a deep understanding of social divides in American society, with some ads promoting African-American rights groups including Black Lives Matter and others suggesting these same groups pose a rising political threat. The Russian campaign, taking advantage of Facebook’s ability to simultaneously send contrary messages to different groups of users based on their political and demographic characteristics. These targeted messages highlight the sophistication of an influence campaign slickly crafted to mimic and infiltrate U.S. political discourse while also seeking to heighten tensions between groups already wary of one another.

Skadden, Big New York Law Firm, Faces Questions on Work with Manafort
New York Times – Kenneth Vogel and Andrew Kramer | Published: 9/21/2017

The U.S. Justice Department asked a prestigious law firm for documents and information related to its work for deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, on whose behalf Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairperson, also worked. The New York Times reported that the Justice Department asked Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom for information and documents relevant to its work on Yanukovych’s behalf. Tt was not clear whether the request was related to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, which has focused in recent months on Manafort.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona: 116 Arizona Lobbyists Could Face Attorney General Investigation
Arizona Republic – Alia Beard Rau | Published: 9/22/2017

The Arizona secretary of state’s office referred 116 lobbyists to the state attorney general after they did not file the 2017 second-quarter expenditure reports required under state law. The reports provide details about which public official the lobbyist spent money on, what was paid for, and which company benefited. The reports were due by July 31. If they do not comply, the lobbyists can face fines up to $1,000 each. Records indicate many of the lobbyists on the list are not active. Matt Roberts, a spokesperson for the secretary of state, said inactive lobbyists still must file reports if they were active during that reporting period.

California: Anaheim’s Lobbyist Sunshine Ordinance Will Be Largely Self-Enforced
Voice of OC – Thy Vo | Published: 9/20/2017

New restrictions on lobbyists now are in effect in Anaheim, although enforcement of the law will be largely self-reported. The city attorney will not be proactively questioning whether certain employees and contractors are in compliance with the law, said city spokesperson Mike Lyster. Instead, council members or city commissioners can request the city clerk to determine whether someone is a lobbyist and needs to register. Lobbyists are required to register within 15 days after any lobbying activity. The first quarterly report is not due until January 2018.

Illinois: Lobbying Is All in the Zalewski Family
Chicago City Wire – W.J. Kennedy | Published: 9/26/2017

In an era in which states are barring politicians from lobbying their former colleagues until after a waiting period, an investigation found three current elected officials in Illinois working as lobbyists. And it is legal. Chicago Alderman Michael Zalewski lobbies the Legislature with the Z Consulting Group. Zalewski’s son is a representative who by all appearances lobbies the city of Chicago through the law firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister. State Sen. Toi Hutchinson is registered in Cook County in her role as director of community relations and social responsibility for the law firm of Chapman and Cutler.

Maine: Lawmakers Make Case That Maine’s Initiative Process Is Being Gamed
Portland Press Herald – Scott Thistle | Published: 9/25/2017

Lawmakers on the Government Oversight Committee made the case that Maine’s initiative process is being gamed, and pointed to a flow chart showing a dizzying array of out-of-state and overseas entities with ties to the casino referendum on the November ballot. The committee said it is still gathering facts and has not launched a formal investigation into the ballot question campaign, but lawmakers on the panel said they were concerned the casino ballot question and several others in recent years were not the work of Maine citizens, but stemmed from out-of-state interests looking to cash in on the state’s citizen initiative process.

Maryland: Maryland Lobbyist Pleads Guilty to Bribing Lawmaker to Help with Prince George’s Liquor Licenses
Washington Post – Drew Gerber | Published: 9/22/2017

A Maryland lobbyist has pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge. Matthew Gorman pleaded guilty to paying then-Prince George’s County Councilperson William Campos $2,000 in 2013 for writing a letter to the county’s liquor board recommending a business receive a license. Gorman faces up to 10 years in prison. Campos, a former state delegate, pleaded guilty to accepting $40,000 to $50,000 from people for official actions while he was on the council. Eight people have been charged in the probe, including former Del. Michael Vaughn.

Missouri: Ethics Panel Fines Adviser to Missouri Mega Donor at Center of Pay-to-Play Allegations
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 9/27/2017

The Missouri Ethics Commission and a political consultant agreed to a consent order that involved the man’s failure to register as a legislative lobbyist over the last two years. The consultant, Paul Mouton, agreed to pay a fee of $2,000, with all but $200 stayed if he follows other provisions of the order. The order instructs Mouton to register as a lobbyist and file necessary disclosure reports.

New Mexico: Did Gov. Susana Martinez Break SEC Rules in New Mexico Pension Deals?
International Business Times – David Sirota, Josh Keefe, and Andrew Perez | Published: 9/20/2017

With New Mexico reeling from an influence-peddling scandal involving state investments in 2010, voters elected a new governor promising a swift crackdown. But as Gov. Susana Martinez’s second term draws to a close, an investigation shows that when it comes to campaign cash from managers of state investments, Martinez turned a blind eye to the ethical standards she championed. During her tenure, New Mexico has been giving lucrative investment deals to financial firms whose executives have delivered big campaign donations to Martinez and to groups that have supported her election campaigns, a situation that may have violated the very “pay-to-play” rules that were passed in the wake of the previous scandals.

New York: Dean Skelos Has Conviction Overturned; Prosecutors Will Pursue Retrial
Albany Times Union – Staff | Published: 9/26/2017

A federal appeals court overturned the bribery and other convictions of former New York Sen. Dean Skelos, asserting jurors were wrongly instructed in the case based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that narrowed what constitutes public corruption. The appeals court also vacated the convictions of Skelos’s son, Adam. Dean Skelos, prosecutors said, targeted businesses that depended on state help either through legislation or contracts and forced them to pay his son hundreds of thousands of dollars for jobs where he did not actually have to work. Federal prosecutors have vowed to promptly pursue retrials.

Ohio: BlackRock Executive’s Kasich Donation May Cost $37 Million
Bloomberg.com – Miles Weiss | Published: 9/25/2017

A senior BlackRock executive donated to an unsuccessful U.S. presidential candidate last year, an action that may prohibit the world’s largest asset manager from collecting some fees from the state of Ohio. Mark Wiedman, a BlackRock senior managing director, gave $2,700 to the presidential campaign of Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who was seeking the Republican Party nomination. Federal securities rules prohibit companies or their executive officers from contributing to government officials who could influence the hiring of a fund manager or have authority to appoint a person who could do so and then providing asset management services to their governments for a fee. The ban is in effect for two years after the contribution is made. The state of Ohio uses BlackRock-managed funds.

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.

September 28, 2017 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

California Moves Date of Presidential Primary

Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 568 on September 27, moving up the state’s presidential primary to March 3, 2020. The date of the 2016 primary was in June, but the Legislature pushed for an earlier primary in an attempt […]

September 28, 2017 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

Lobbying Illinois: “Lobbying Is All in the Zalewski Family” by W.J. Kennedy for Chicago City Wire Missouri: “Ethics Panel Fines Adviser to Missouri Mega Donor at Center of Pay-to-Play Allegations” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star Campaign Finance “Your […]

Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

NYCU Video Digest – October 20, 2017

News You Can Use Digest – October 20, 2017

Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

NYCU Video Digest – October 13, 2017

News You Can Use Digest – October 13, 2017

Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

Governor Calls Special Elections to fill Vacancies in Missouri House

Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

News You Can Use Digest – September 29, 2017

California Moves Date of Presidential Primary

Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup

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