October 27, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 27, 2023

National/Federal Meadows Granted Immunity, Tells Smith He Warned Trump About 2020 Claims: Sources ABC News – Katherine Faulders, Mike Levine, and Alexander Mallin | Published: 10/24/2023 Former President Trump’s final chief of staff in the White House, Mark Meadows, has spoken with […]

National/Federal

Meadows Granted Immunity, Tells Smith He Warned Trump About 2020 Claims: Sources

ABC News – Katherine Faulders, Mike Levine, and Alexander Mallin | Published: 10/24/2023

Former President Trump’s final chief of staff in the White House, Mark Meadows, has spoken with special counsel Jack Smith’s team at least three times this year, including once before a federal grand jury, which came only after Smith granted Meadows immunity to testify under oath, according to sources familiar with the matter. The sources said Meadows informed Smith’s team that he repeatedly told Trump in the weeks after the 2020 presidential election that the allegations of significant voting fraud coming to them were baseless.

An Unsanctioned Coterie of Pro-Israel Quasi-Lobbyists Has Descended on D.C.

MSN – Hailey Fuchs and Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 10/22/2023

An ad hoc group of donors, activists, and allies have moved swiftly to help Israel. They have leveraged their political clout, their relationships with lawmakers, and their fundraising networks to do so. Their goal is to shape how elected officials in the U.S. react to the crisis. But their work also underscores how much of the political fight around the nascent war is being done on the fly; and how much is being waged in unconventional theaters: college campuses, corporate boardrooms, K Street offices. and Capitol Hill restaurants.

New House Speaker Mike Johnson Faces Herculean Task of Uniting Republicans

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor, Amy Wang, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Theodoric Meyer, and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

Rep. Mike Johnson, a lesser-known conservative who has been a devoted follower of former President Trump was elected as speaker of the House, reopening the chamber for legislative business after a 21-day paralysis because the fractious Republican conference could not coalesce around a single nominee. Johnson now faces the herculean task of uniting a deeply ideologically fractured conference that is tasked with averting a government shutdown in less than a month, sending supplemental aid to Israel and other foreign countries, and passing reauthorization bills before the end of the year.

Special Counsel Urges Judge to Crack Down Further on Trump’s Comments

MSN – Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

Special counsel Jack Smith argued that recent comments by Donald Trump show not only that a federal gag order should be reimposed, but the court should weigh stricter sanctions, including sending him to jail, if he keeps talking about witnesses in his case. The filing was one of four made by the special counsel’s office on a range of legal issues in preparation for Trump’s planned trial on charges he conspired to obstruct Joe Biden’s electoral victory. Trump’s public statements attacking prosecutors, court personnel, and others have raised alarms among judges who worry such broadsides might inspire someone to commit violence.

Clarence Thomas’s RV Loan Was Forgiven, Senate Committee Report Says

MSN – Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Ron Wyden called on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to tell the panel whether he declared more than $250,000 of loan forgiveness on his tax filings. Wyden released a report that details a loan Thomas received from a friend, Anthony Welters, to buy a luxury Prevost Marathon motor coach in 1999. The report said Thomas made some interest payments on the $267,230 loan, but it was declared settled by Welters in 2008 without Thomas repaying a substantial portion, or perhaps any, of the principal.

Congressman Charged with Pulling False Fire Alarm in House Building

MSN – Peter Hermann and Clarence Williams (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

Rep. Jamaal Bowman was criminally charged with pulling a false fire alarm that forced the evacuation of the Cannon House Office Building as lawmakers scrambled to avert a government shutdown. Bowman was charged in a judicial summons, meaning he was not arrested. In an affidavit filed in court, authorities allege Bowman tried to open an emergency door and, when that failed, pulled a fire alarm and walked away and did not report his actions to police.

Elon Musk’s X Removes New York Times’ Verification Badge

MSN – Drew Harwell (Washington Post) | Published: 10/19/2023

The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, removed the gold “verified” badge from the New York Times’ account amid ongoing complaints about the news organization from X owner Elon Musk. The badge was the only symbol distinguishing the Times’ 55-million-follower account from impostors amid two major global conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. The move further extends Musk’s attempts to use the social media company he bought with claims of defending free speech to undercut news organizations he dislikes.

Lawsuit Aims to Slam Shut Loophole That Lets Political Parties Skirt Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Kathleen Culliton (Raw Story) | Published: 10/23/2023

A loophole that allows political parties to bypass campaign finance limits now faces a new legal challenge from watchdog groups in Washington D.C. The Campaign Legal Center and OpenSecrets filed a lawsuit against the FEC, which they hope will create new disclosure rules for national political party committee accounts. The loophole links back to the 2014 “Cromnibus” and an amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act that allows parties to draw funds from “special purpose accounts,” according to the complaint.

Trump Files New Challenges to Federal Election Obstruction Case in D.C.

MSN – Spencer Hsu and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 10/24/2023

Donald Trump launched a multipronged legal attack on his federal prosecution for allegedly subverting the results of the 2020 election, saying his actions were protected by the First Amendment as political speech and arguing he cannot be tried in criminal court for trying to block Joe Biden’s victory after being impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate. While aspects of Trump’s case raise historic legal questions, the motions are fairly typical for criminal defendants trying to challenge the legal sufficiency of the charges against them.

Top Groups’ Lobbying Spending Drops in Divided Congress

MSN – Caitlin Reilly (Roll Call) | Published: 10/23/2023

Total spending on lobbying by the biggest interest groups fell in the first three quarters of 2023 compared to last year amid partisan gridlock in a divided Congress. The dip came as the steady clip of major laws that moved through the last Congress slowed to a trickle this session with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans the House, where GOP leadership has struggled to maintain control of its conference.

How Ron DeSantis’ Super PAC Is Taking Financial Pressure Off His Campaign

NBC News – Alec Hernández and Bridget Bowman | Published: 10/20/2023

With three months to go until the first contest of the Republican nominating race, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to lean heavily on Never Back Down for support across the early states, and his most recent campaign finance report demonstrates how the super PAC has helped cover costs that otherwise might have drained DeSantis’s own campaign treasury. Beyond playing an extensive role in the governor’s campaign schedule and travel, the super PAC is also responsible for a large door-knocking operation in Iowa and running a slew of voter coalitions supporting DeSantis.

Appeals Court Upholds Broad Use of Obstruction Law That Prosecutors Have Deployed Against Trump

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 10/20/2023

Federal prosecutors avoided an appeals court ruling that could have upended their criminal prosecution of Donald Trump, but the legal battle will continue over a federal obstruction statute that has become a cornerstone of cases stemming from the storming of the Capitol. A panel of the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals ruled there are numerous ways for the government to prove January 6 defendants acted “corruptly” when seeking to obstruct Congress’ proceedings. A ruling that narrowly construed the meaning of “corruptly” could have derailed the prosecution of Trump on an obstruction charge.

Supreme Court to Decide if Biden Admin Illegally Bullied Social Media into Censoring Content

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Rebecca Kern (Politico) | Published: 10/20/2023

The Supreme Court will determine whether the Biden administration violated the Constitution when it pressured technology companies to remove from their platforms what federal officials said was false or misleading content about the 2020 election and Covid-19. In taking the case, the justices also blocked the lower court’s injunction that would have barred many types of contact between federal officials and the social media giants. The action means administration officials can keep contacting social media companies for now while the justices weigh the case.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Sacramento Ethics Commission Dismisses Campaign Contribution Complaint after Investigation

Capital Public Radio – Kristin Lam | Published: 10/25/2023

The Sacramento Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against mayoral candidate Flojuane Cofer and found she did not violate a campaign fundraising rule. Voting unanimously, the commission disagreed with part of an independent evaluator’s recommendation on how to deal with the complaint. The investigator found the city’s campaign contribution rules surrounding off-year elections are confusing.

California – Is Anaheim’s Fall of Reform Going to Freeze Over?

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 10/25/2023

Anaheim’s elected officials continue a rollout of reform proposals, but it is unclear how many overhauls will be made to a City Hall hit with one of the biggest corruption scandals in Orange County history. It comes as some Disney-backed city council members question if reforms are needed, like bolstering whistleblower protections, consequences for misconduct by elected officials, decreasing the city manager’s purchasing power, and overhauling lobbyist rules. The discussions come months after independent investigators alleged the city was essentially controlled by lobbyists and Disneyland resort interests.

Colorado – A New Law Has Stricter Regulations for Campaign Finance. What Does That Mean for Pueblo?

Pueblo Chieftan – Anna Lynn Winfrey | Published: 10/23/2023

A new law in Colorado imposes new requirements for how long campaign finance records are kept and sets contribution limits for municipal races. But as a home rule city, Pueblo has the jurisdiction to craft its own regulation on campaign finance. Because of the expected timing of a mayoral runoff race in January, after the bill goes into effect, the city council is expected to vote soon on an ordinance that would effectively freeze the current rules in place. Councilors could adopt more stringent requirements later, if desired.

Florida – Mayor Donna Deegan Approves No-Bid Contract for a Firm That Backed Her Campaign

MSN – David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 10/24/2023

A company whose owner hosted a campaign event for Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan in January won a no-bid contract worth $300,000 for federal grant-writing, lobbying, and policy development after the city determined no other firm in the nation could provide all those services. The city typically requires competitive bidding, but the Professional Services Evaluation Committee recommended Deegan approve the one-year contract to Langton Consulting without seeking proposals from any other firms.

Florida – Florida Rule Would Limit Talk of ‘Social Issues’ at Public Universities

Yahoo News – Divya Kumar (Tampa Bay Times) | Published: 10/23/2023

A proposed regulation aimed at restricting diversity programs and social activism at Florida’s public universities has stirred confusion, with some saying its broadly worded passages could limit free speech. The regulation, when approved, will determine how the state enforces the law pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that seeks to gut diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at colleges and universities.

Florida – Florida Ethics Panel Says County Commissioner Steele Can Resume Lobbying for Municipalities

Yahoo News – Dave Berman (Florida Today) | Published: 10/24/2023

Brevard County Commissioner Jason Steele was given the green light to resume his lobbying work. including for municipalities within the county, while he continues to serve as commissioner. The Florida Commission on Ethics approved an advisory opinion from its legal staff that said there currently is nothing illegal about Steele lobbying on behalf of clients, as long as he does not lobby before the county commission and does not use nonpublic information he obtained as a commissioner for his lobbying work.

Georgia – Trump Co-Defendant Kenneth Chesebro Pleads Guilty in Georgia Election Case

MSN – Holly Bailey and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 10/20/2023

Kenneth Chesebro, a former lawyer for Donald Trump’s campaign, pleaded guilty to illegally conspiring to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss in Georgia, striking a deal in which he will avoid jail time and agreed to provide evidence that could implicate other defendants, including Trump himself. Chesebro pleaded guilty to a single felony count of conspiracy to file false documents. The charge relates to his role organizing slates of pro-Trump electors to meet in seven states where Joe Biden had won.

Georgia – Jenna Ellis Becomes Latest Trump Lawyer to Plead Guilty Over Efforts to Overturn Georgia’s Election

Yahoo News – Will Weissert and Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 10/24/2023

Attorney and conservative media figure Jenna Ellis pleaded guilty to a felony charge over efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in Georgia. Ellis, the fourth defendant in the case to enter into a plea deal, was a vocal part of Trump’s reelection campaign in the last presidential cycle and was charged alongside the Republican former president and 17 others. Ellis pleaded guilty to one felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings. She had been facing charges of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and soliciting the violation of oath by a public officer, both felonies.

Hawaii – Hawaii Budget Director’s Conflict of Interest: He owns HECO stock

Honolulu Civil Beat – Stewart Yerton | Published: 10/26/2023

Hawaii’s state budget and finance director is facing an ethical dilemma as Gov. Josh Green’s administration works to establish a fund for victims of the Maui wildfires. Luis Salaveria, who is playing a role in planning the fund that would benefit Hawaiian Electric Industries, also owns Hawaiian Electric stock. That should disqualify Salaveria from taking any official action that could affect the company, according to the state ethics code. But what, if anything, Salaveria plans to do to address the situation is unclear.

Hawaii – Hawaii Bribery Scandal Casts a Shadow Over Lahaina’s Ruins

Yahoo News – Blaze Lovell (New York Times) | Published: 10/25/2023

As Maui County recovers from the devastating wildfires that killed at least 99 people, millions of dollars will be spent on rebuilding critical infrastructure using a flawed contract-monitoring system that is marred by bribery and a lack of competition. A recent bribery case prompted some county officials to begin phasing out the use of sole-source contracts, but the practice is still in use in the county. That very little has changed since the bribery scandal was revealed could leave the door open for some contractors to take advantage of the disaster or for government money to be wasted.

Illinois – Illinois Lawmakers Banned Campaign Contributions from Red-Light Camera Companies – Then Accepted Them

Illinois Public Radio – Robert Herguth (Chicago Sun-Times) | Published: 10/20/2023

In May, the General Assembly passed a bill to ban campaign contributions from the red-light camera industry that has been embroiled in a bribery scandal still unfolding in federal court. Among those backing the bill was Illinois Senate President Don Harmon. Less than six weeks later, his campaign accounts accepted two contributions totaling $5,000 from Redspeed Illinois, a contractor operating red-light cameras in a number of Chicago-area municipalities. Bernadette Matthews, executive director of the state elections board, said the new law does not include penalties for violators.

Kentucky – Louisville Metro Councilman Anthony Piagentini Found in Violation of Ethics Rules

MSN – Eleanor McCrary (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 10/19/2023

Louisville Metro’s Ethics Commission found Councilperson Anthony Piagentini in violation of six ethics rules after he was accused of using his city position to land a $40 million grant for the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, which then hired him. The commission also unanimously voted to recommend to the Metro Council that he be removed from his seat, but that decision ultimately lies with his 25 peers. Piagentini also received a penalty of $500 per violation.

Louisiana – Supreme Court Agrees with Delay on Drawing New Louisiana Congressional Map

MSN – Robert Barnes (Washington Post) | Published: 10/19/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with a delay on proceedings that could lead to creating a second congressional district in Louisiana where Black voters make up a large-enough share of the electorate to have a significant chance of electing their preferred candidate. The justices rejected requests by Black voters challenging a map passed by the state’s Republican-led Legislature to allow a lower court judge to proceed in coming up with a new map. The order indicates that once litigation over the issue is completed, the Legislature might get a chance to draw a revised map.

Maine – Inside Poland Spring’s Hidden Attack on Water Rules It Didn’t Like

Yahoo News – Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times) | Published: 10/24/2023

When Maine lawmakers tried to rein in large-scale access to the state’s freshwater this year, the effort initially gained momentum. Then a Wall Street-backed giant called BlueTriton stepped in. Americans today buy more bottled water than any other packaged drink, and BlueTriton owns many of the nation’s biggest brands. Maine’s bill threatened the company’s access to the groundwater it bottles and sells. The legislation had already gotten a majority vote on the committee and was headed toward the full Legislature, when a lobbyist for BlueTriton proposed an amendment that would eviscerate the entire bill.

Massachusetts – Ryan and Stephanie Fattman Agree to Record Fines to Settle Campaign Finance Cases

Yahoo News – Kinga Borondy (Worcester Telegram & Gazette) | Published: 10/24/2023

The Massachusetts attorney general’s office reached a settlement with stated Sen. Ryan Fattman; his wife, Worcester Registrar of Probate Stephanie Fattman; and members of their campaign committees in the three-year probe into campaign finance irregularities. The settlements to be paid total hundreds of thousands of dollars, the largest amounts ever paid by candidate committees to the state to resolve cases.

Michigan – Financial Disclosures Proposed for Michigan Politicians Are ‘Pretty Weak,’ Advocates Say

MLive – Simon Schuster | Published: 10/25/2023

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a package of legislation that details what state elected officials must include in Michigan’s first-ever financial disclosures. The legislation, while bringing specificity to some areas 2022’s Proposal 1 left vague, also leaves gaps in reporting, exempting public officials from having to disclose some of the very financial benefits that roiled state government in recent scandals. Nicholas Pigeon, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, called the bills “a mixed bag … that is pretty weak compared to the rest of the country.”

Michigan – After Campaign Finance Complaint Against Fouts, City Attorney Files Against Council Foes

MSN – Christina Hall (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 10/25/2023

The Warren city attorney filed state campaign finance complaints against three city council members for comments they made during a council meeting using city equipment, which was broadcast live and is on video on the city’s website. The complaints come days after the secretary of state’s office determined Mayor Jim Fouts may have violated the law by endorsing candidates during his State of the City address.

Missouri – Records Show Missouri House Speaker Charged State for Travel Already Paid for By His Campaign

Missouri Independent – Jason Hancock | Published: 10/23/2023

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher filed an expense report to be reimbursed for a $1,199.60 plane ticket to the 2023 Uniform Law Commission conference. The House ultimately agreed to pay him the money. But the cost of the ticket did not come out of Plocher’s bank account. It came out of his campaign. Seven months earlier, “Plusher for Missouri” reported paying $1,199.60 for airfare to Hawaii for the conference. A review of Plocher’s expense reports over the years shows the Hawaii expense was not an isolated event.

New Hampshire – Breaking with Longstanding Tradition, Biden Won’t Appear on New Hampshire’s Primary Ballot

Yahoo News – Francesca Chambers (USA Today) | Published: 10/24/2023

President Joe Biden’s name will not be on the New Hampshire primary ballot. Biden has been tussling with the state for nearly a year over its historically early primary date and will not make the trip to Concord to file. In a break with centuries-old tradition, the incumbent president will not appear on the state’s Democratic primary ballot at all, with the national party pledging to discipline candidates who compete in unsanctioned primaries like the one New Hampshire plans to hold.

New Jersey – ‘Phantom Candidates’ in Tough N.J. Legislative Elections? Republicans Call for Investigation.

MSN – Brent Johnson (New Jersey Advance Media) | Published: 10/23/2023

Allegations about a “dark money” group pushing “phantom candidates” have invaded a pair of tense races for the New Jersey Legislature. Republican candidates in the second and fourth districts, two of the most competitive in this year’s elections, have asked top law enforcement officials to investigate a new nonprofit group with a Queens address that sent out campaign mailers to voters urging them to support independent or third-party “conservative” candidates.

New York – ‘A Well-Thought-Out Scheme’: Orange County lawmakers claim corruption with county’s contracts with IT company

Albany Times Union – Lana Bellamy | Published: 10/26/2023

New York Sen. James Skoufis alleges the Orange County government entered into illegal contracts with an information technology company in order to enrich the family of a top-ranking county official, and county administrators have attempted to cover up a larger corruption scheme. Skoufis laid out the case that contracts between the county and StarCIO totaling $823,000 were illegally procured and inflated to enrich Isaac Sacolick, the company’s proprietor and the brother-in-law of county Human Resources Commissioner Langdon Chapman.

New York – Judge Fines Trump $10,000 for Second Violation of New York Gag Order

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

A New York judge fined Donald Trump $10,000 for violating a gag order in a business-fraud lawsuit and warned the former president the penalties will only get worse if he keeps breaking the rules set for the civil trial, in which he is accused of falsely inflating his property values. The five-figure fine came after New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron unexpectedly called Trump to the witness stand to explain, under oath, a comment he made outside the courtroom earlier in the day.

New York – Adams Campaign Contributors Plead Guilty to Straw Donor Conspiracy Charge

The City – George Joseph | Published: 10/24/2023

Shahid and Yahya Mushtaq, two brothers who run a construction company in Queens, each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor conspiracy charge stemming from a straw donor scheme that aimed to generate illicit public matching funds for Eric Adams’ successful 2021 mayoral campaign. The brothers’ plea deals require them both to pay a $500 fine and complete 35 hours of community service.

New York – Who Paid for Gov. Hochul’s Israel Trip? Her Office Won’t Say.

The Gothamist – Jon Campbell | Published: 10/25/2023

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office will not say who pledged to pay for the governor’s recent visit to Israel, an arrangement the state’s ethics board has not yet approved, despite her trip to the Middle East last week. Hochul spent two days in Israel amid its war with Hamas, touring the country and meeting with dignitaries, along with victims and their families. Gubernatorial spokesperson Avi Small said the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government is still “in the final stages of reviewing this arrangement to ensure it fully complies with state ethics law.”

North Carolina – N.C. Republicans Pass Redistricting Map Expected to Flip 3 House Seats

MSN – Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

The North Carolina General Assembly gave final approval to new congressional and state legislative district maps that would empower the state Republican Party for years to come. North Carolina’s 14 congressional seats are now evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. The new map would probably flip at least three of those seats to the GOP. Proponents say they are allowed to draw maps that favor political parties because of recent court precedent, and Republicans have the power to do so because they won more seats in both chambers of the Legislature.

Ohio – Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose Quietly Ordered Purge of Thousands of Inactive Voters Last Month

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 10/24/2023

Thousands of inactive Ohio voters were purged from the state’s voter rolls in September at the direction of Secretary of State Frank LaRose after some voters had already begun casting ballots in the November election. LaRose maintains he issued the directive because he’s required by federal and state election law to set rules and timelines for maintaining accurate voter registration lists. But a state lawmaker asked why he did not delay it until after the general election, as he did earlier ahead of the August special election on a proposed constitutional amendment to make it harder to pass future amendments.

Ohio – Mayor Pureval Removed from Cincinnati Southern Railway Campaign Ads After Conflict of Interest Questions

WCPO – Taylor Weiter and Dan Monk | Published: 10/19/2023

Commercials promoting the sale of the Cincinnati Southern Railway no longer feature Mayor Aftab Pureval after a media investigation found connections between campaigns for the sale and Pureval’s re-election. Building Cincinnati’s Future and Friends of Aftab Pureval, the mayor’s re-election campaign, share the same treasurer, Jens Sutmoller.

Oklahoma – Phantom Attack Ads Target Oklahoma Candidate, Connected to Nationwide Dark Money Network

MSN – Clifton Adcock (The Frontier) | Published: 10/24/2023

Common Sense Conservatives spent money on a direct mail advertisement this fall against Baptist minister Dusty Deevers in a Republican primary for a seat in the Oklahoma Senate. Records show Common Sense Conservatives is one small piece of a larger, nationwide “dark money” network that conducts most of its operations out of Ohio, has been involved in numerous federal and state-level campaigns in other states including Oklahoma, and has ties to at least one bogus charity.

October 26, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections National: “Meadows Granted Immunity, Tells Smith He Warned Trump About 2020 Claims: Sources” by Katherine Faulders, Mike Levine, and Alexander Mallin for ABC News New Hampshire: “Breaking with Longstanding Tradition, Biden Won’t Appear on New Hampshire’s Primary Ballot” by Francesca Chambers (USA Today) […]

October 25, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Massachusetts: “Ryan and Stephanie Fattman Agree to Record Fines to Settle Campaign Finance Cases” by Kinga Borondy (Worcester Telegram & Gazette) for Yahoo News New York: “Adams Campaign Contributors Plead Guilty to Straw Donor Conspiracy Charge” by George Joseph for The City […]

October 20, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 20, 2023

National/Federal Gag Order on Trump in Election Case Leaves More Hard Questions DNyuz – Charlie Savage and Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 10/17/2023 U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan’s gag order against Donald Trump is the first major consequence of […]

National/Federal

Gag Order on Trump in Election Case Leaves More Hard Questions

DNyuz – Charlie Savage and Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 10/17/2023

U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan’s gag order against Donald Trump is the first major consequence of his life as a criminal defendant. But in some ways, the order raises more questions than it answers, including how the judge intends to enforce her restrictions. Chutkan ruled Trump’s pretrial attacks on potential witnesses and others threatened the integrity of the upcoming trial on charges stemming from his effort to subvert the 2020 election. She barred Trump from continuing to publicly berate special counsel Jack Smith and his team, court staff, or any “reasonably foreseeable witness.”

Trump Lawyer Acknowledged Political Agenda in Election Suit, Emails Show

DNyuz – Maggie Haberman and Luke Broadwater (New York Times) | Published: 10/8/2023

Kenneth Chesebro and other lawyers fighting to reverse then-President Trump’s election defeat were debating whether to file litigation contesting Joe Bidens victory in Wisconsin. Chesebro argued there was little doubt the litigation would fail in court as Trump continued to push his baseless claims of widespread fraud. But the “relevant analysis is political,” Chesebro argued. Trump has signaled one of his possible defenses is that he was simply acting on the advice of his lawyers. But Chesebro’s emails could undercut any effort to show the lawyers were focused solely on legal strategies.

Amazon’s Alexa Has Been Claiming the 2020 Election Was Stolen

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 10/7/2023

Amid concerns that the rise of artificial intelligence will supercharge the spread of misinformation comes a wild fabrication from a more commonplace source: Amazon’s Alexa, which declared the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Asked about fraud in the race, the popular voice assistant said it was “stolen by a massive amount of election fraud,” citing Rumble, a video-streaming service favored by conservatives. Alexa disseminates misinformation about the race even as Amazon promotes the tool as a reliable election news source to more than 70 million estimated users.

Pence Campaign Sputters Amid Money Troubles, Staff Cuts and Low Enthusiasm

MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 10/19/2023

Four months after launching his presidential campaign with an embrace of traditional conservatism and a rejection of his former running mate Donald Trump, Mike Pence now stands at a difficult crossroads. Plagued by financial problems, low polling numbers, and a message that has not resonated with the party base, he has been forced to confront tough realities this fall about the future of his campaign.

Sen. Bob Menendez Charged with Conspiring to Act as Foreign Agent

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) | Published: 10/12/2023

Sen. Robert Menendez was charged in a superseding federal indictment with conspiracy by a public official to act as a foreign agent, intensifying the legal peril the veteran lawmaker faces as he continues to resist calls to resign. Menendez; his wife, Nadine Menendez; and an associate, Wael Hana, were charged with conspiring to have Sen. Menendez act as an illegal foreign agent on behalf of the Egyptian government while he was serving as a U.S. senator with access to sensitive intelligence as the former head of the Foreign Relations Committee.

Campaign of Rep. George Santos Refunds More Money Than It Raises

MSN – Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) | Published: 10/16/2023

The campaign of scandal-plagued U.S. Rep. George Santos reported refunding more money to donors than it raised during the past three months, raising questions about how seriously he is pursuing reelection. The paltry fundraising figures are not typical for incumbents running in swing districts at this point in the election cycle, particularly when multiple challengers have already announced campaigns.

Former IRS Contractor Pleads Guilty to Leaking Trump’s Tax Returns

MSN – Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) | Published: 10/12/2023

A financial consultant who performed contract work for the IRS pleaded guilty to leaking confidential tax returns filed by the wealthiest Americans, including those of then-President Trump. Charles Littlejohn admitted he obtained thousands of individuals’ tax returns by accessing an IRS database, and then leaked the materials to the New York Times and ProPublica beginning in 2019. The news organizations showed how Trump and others employed strategies to slash their federal tax bills, in some cases down to zero.

Special Counsel Jack Smith Pulls Subpoena Over Pro-Trump Fundraising

MSN – Josh Dawsey, Perry Stein, and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 10/17/2023

Special counsel Jack Smith withdrew a subpoena seeking records about fundraising by the PAC Save America, a group that is controlled by former President Trump and whose activities related to efforts to block the results of the 2020 presidential election have come under investigation. The move indicates Smith is scaling back at least part of his inquiry into the political fundraising work that fed and benefited from unfounded claims the election was stolen.

How Conservative Media Figures Helped to Fuel the GOP Speaker Chaos

MSN – Sarah Ellison and Will Sommer (Washington Post) | Published: 10/17/2023

Fox News host Sean Hannity’s extensive effort to personally whip up votes for U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan in his bid to be House speaker highlights the central role right-wing media has played in the drama over who will wield the speaker’s gavel. At each turn, conservative media figures such as Hannity and Stephen Bannon injected high-profile disruption into a process that normally plays out behind the scenes. A handful of backbench lawmakers have seized the opportunity to flex their power in a nearly evenly split chamber, creating drama but offering little direction.

Conservative Companies Create Parallel Economy as Polarization Thrives

Yahoo News – Julia Shapero (The Hill) | Published: 10/18/2023

As a growing number of businesses lean into their conservative values or credentials to appeal to consumers, some have suggested that a “parallel economy” is emerging. These political appeals have become increasingly important to American consumers amid growing political polarization, said Nailya Ordabayeva of Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business. As consumers’ politics have influenced their purchasing decisions, companies have sought to tap into these political identities, and these efforts are not unique to the right, Ordabayeva said.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Lavish Trip for Group of Conservative MPs in Ethics Spotlight

CBC – Elizabeth Thompson | Published: 10/16/2023

A pricey trip for a group of Conservative Members of Parliament sponsored by a special interest group and a Hungarian think-tank could soon come under the microscope by the House of Commons ethics committee. The trip to London took place last June and was sponsored by Canadians for Affordable Energy and the Danube Institute. Billed as an opportunity to discuss energy policy, the trip included thousands of dollars in flights, hotels, and ground transportation as well as a dinner at the Guinea Grill with $600 bottles of champagne that totaled an estimated $6,262.

Alaska – Alaska Attorney General Approves Free Legal Defense for Top Officials Accused of Ethical Lapses

Frontiersman – James Brooks (Alaska Beacon) | Published: 10/17/2023

The state of Alaska will provide legal representation for its governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general in ethics complaints filed against those top officials. Current policy allows the state to reimburse top officials for privately hired legal defense under certain circumstances, including in cases where the officials are exonerated. Assistant Attorney General Cori Mills said that is more expensive than using in-house counsel.

Arkansas – Arkansas Lawmakers OK Plan to Audit Purchase of $19,000 Lectern for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders

MSN – Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) | Published: 10/12/2023

Arkansas lawmakers voted to audit the purchase of a $19,000 lectern for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, delving into an unusual controversy that has prompted questions about the seemingly high cost of the item and claims the governor’s office violated the state’s open-records law. The executive committee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee also voted to audit the governor’s travel and security expenditures that were retroactively shielded from public release under a new Freedom of Information Act exemption Sanders signed in September.

California – Orange Could Start Requiring Lobbyists to Register with the City

MSN – Michael Slaton (Orange County Register) | Published: 10/12/2023

The Orange City Council is exploring whether to start requiring lobbyists to register and report their actions to the city. The effort is largely to prevent impropriety and promote transparency, officials said, but was also inspired by the recent Anaheim corruption saga. The city council is creating an ad hoc committee to explore the proposed law and update campaign finance laws.

California – California Governor Vetoes Bill Requiring Independent Panels to Draw Local Voting Districts

MSN – David Lieb (Associated Press) | Published: 10/9/2023

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have required dozens of his state’s largest cities, counties, and educational districts to use independent commissions to draw voting districts. California’s local redistricting methods came under scrutiny last year following a leaked recording of a private discussion among several Los Angeles City Council members. The officials, all Latino Democrats, used crude and racist comments while plotting to bolster their political power at the expense of Black voters.

California – San Francisco Homeowners Say They Were Duped into Paying a Now-Disgraced Building Inspector

San Francisco Standard – Michael Barba | Published: 10/17/2023

Manh Chau was renovating his dream house in San Francisco when his contractor, Kelvin Zeng, asked him to cut a check for $5,000. Zeng told him to write the name “Bernie Curran” on the check, according to Chau. What Chau did not know at the time was Bernie Curran was not a subcontractor as he had assumed. Curran was a senior building inspector who, just a day after Chau dated the check, inspected his house, court. Now, Curran is about to begin a stint in federal prison after pleading guilty in two separate criminal cases over his financial ties to various property owners in the city.

California – Anaheim Considers an Ethics Officer in Fallout of City Hall Corruption Scandal

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 10/18/2023

An ethics officer could soon start having some sort of oversight role in Anaheim in the aftermath of one of the biggest public corruption scandals to hit Orange County. City council members unanimously voted to create an ethics officer position and have staff come back with options to explore what exactly that person’s responsibilities will be. Creating an ethics officer position to oversee the city’s lobbyist registration and campaign finance was one of several recommendations that investigators made to the city in a report on the scandal.

Florida – One Mystery Solved: Dolphins subsidiary partly behind Mayor Suarez’s $30k F1 weekend

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey and Joey Flechas (Miami Herald) | Published: 10/13/2023

A company tied to the Miami Dolphins and team owner Stephen Ross, a billionaire with business before the city, gave Mayor Francis Suarez a $3,500 Formula 1 ticket, a newly filed gift disclosure revealed. It is the latest in a drip-drip of information revealing the sources behind Suarez’s $30,000 Grand Prix weekend in May, which is at the center of an ongoing state ethics investigation into whether the mayor violated Florida gifts laws.

Georgia – Sidney Powell Pleads Guilty in Case Over Efforts to Overturn Trump’s Georgia Loss and Gets Probation

Associated Press News – Kate Brumback | Published: 10/19/2023

Lawyer Sidney Powell pleaded guilty to reduced charges over efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election in Georgia, becoming the second defendant in the case to reach a deal with prosecutors. Powell, who was charged with violating the state’s anti-racketeering law, entered the plea just a day before jury selection was set to start in her trial. She pleaded guilty to six misdemeanors accusing her of conspiring to intentionally interfere with the performance of election duties.

Illinois – What Do Recent Illinois Corruption Trials Have in Common? State Rep. Bob Rita as a Witness.

Chicago Sun-Times – Robert Herguth | Published: 10/13/2023

Three recent public corruption cases in Illinois shared a common element: state Rep. Bob Rita as a prosecution witness. Rita has not found out yet whether he will be asked to testify in a fourth trial, that of former House Speaker Michel Madigan. Unlike some witnesses in the trials, Rita has neither been charged with any crime nor compelled to testify under a grant of immunity from prosecution. He has been subpoenaed to testify at the request of federal prosecutors about the Illinois General Assembly’s inner workings and Madigan;s close aides.

Illinois – Ald. Jim Gardiner Hit with $20,000 Fine for Ethics Violations

Yahoo News – A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/16/2023

The Chicago Board of Ethics fined Ald. Jim Gardiner $20,000 after he was accused of retaliating against a constituent and vocal critic by directing city staff to issue bogus citations that could have forced the man to pay more than $600 in fines. In all, the board said Gardiner violated the ethics code on 10 separate occasions. The city inspector general’s office has only successfully pursued a probable cause finding in 13 ethics investigations and Gardiner was the first who was a sitting city council member.

Louisiana – City Council Ousts Top Cantrell Aide for Breaking Campaign Finance Laws During Recall

New Orleans Advocate – John Stanton | Published: 10/17/2023

The New Orleans City Council ousted Gregory Joseph, Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s communications director and close advisor, for incompetence, neglecting his duties, and violating campaign finance laws, among other charges. In order to block Joseph from being rehired immediately after being fired, the council voted to suspend Joseph without pay from employment by the city for the remainder of Cantrell’s term.

Maine – State Ethics Director Recommends Against Investigating Senate President’s House Purchase

Yahoo News – Eric Russell (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 10/18/2023

The executive director of Maine’s ethics commission said he does not see sufficient grounds to investigate claims that Senate President Troy Jackson violated campaign finance laws in connection with his purchase of a house. Members could still vote to investigate Jackson, but they would be doing so against the recommendation of Jonathan Wayne. A complaint concerned Jackson’s purchase of a home in Augusta in 2019 while representing a district in Aroostook County. It questioned whether he violated the Legislature’s residency rules or falsely pledged to make the home his primary residence.

Maryland – 1776 Project PAC Fined $20,000 for Texts Sent to Carroll Voters on Behalf of Battaglia, Miller, Whisler

MSN – Thomas Goodwin Smith (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 10/12/2023

The 1776 Project PAC, which financially supported Tara Battaglia, James Miller, and Steve Whisler during the 2022 campaign for the Carroll County School Board, was fined $20,250 for failing to identify itself as having paid for 13,879 text messages sent to voters. Maryland law requires campaign messages sent on behalf of candidates to state who paid for the information to be distributed. This includes yard signs, pamphlets, and digital advertisements.

Massachusetts – Bill Aims to Expose ‘Dark Money’ at Town Meetings

Martha’s Vineyard Times – Staff | Published: 10/18/2023

A new bill was filed to counter the influence of what the sponsors are calling “dark money” in town meetings. Massachusetts campaign finance law requires disclosure for any group that receives contributions to oppose or promote a ballot question or influence an election. Candidates for state and local public offices must also follow strict requirements. But these disclosure and transparency requirements do not currently apply to groups seeking to influence issues addressed at town meetings, and do not appear before voters on the ballots, such as warrant articles.

Massachusetts – This Boston City Council Candidate Has More Than $100,000 in His Coffers. His Campaign Says He Didn’t Raise a Single Cent of It.

MSN – Danny McDonald (Boston Globe) | Published: 10/19/2023

John FitzGerald’s day job as a deputy director at the Boston Planning & Development Agency may hamstring him from personally raising funds for his city council bid, but it has not stopped his campaign from amassing $109,000, a hefty haul for this kind of race. State ethics law is clear: public employees cannot receive “directly or indirectly, any contribution or anything of value for any political purpose.” But they may run for office, as long as a committee is organized to raise money on their behalf. FitzGerald said he “never solicited a donation for his campaign.”

Massachusetts – Abhijit Das, Ex-Congressional Candidate, Convicted of Breaking Campaign

MSN – Ryan Mancici (MassLive) | Published: 10/14/2023

Abhijit Das, who ran for a U.S. House in Massachusetts, was convicted of violating the Federal Election Campaign Act and making false statements. Among the allegations was that Das inflated his fundraising numbers with a scheme “to solicit personal loans from friends and close associates in excess of the $2,700 legal limit,” prosecutors said. Das also used $267,000 of campaign funds to pay debts for his hotel business relating to vendors.

Massachusetts – Mass. Gets Top Grade for 2020 Redistricting

Salem News – Christian Wade | Published: 10/16/2023

The home state of “gerrymandering” received a top ranking from Common Cause for its once-every-decade legislative redistricting process. Massachusetts got an “A-” grade, tied with California in the highest-in-the nation ranking. Massachusetts got high marks for having a strong coalition of voting access groups participating in the redistricting process, increasing minority representation in the state Legislature, and holding regular public hearings to discuss changes.

Michigan – Michigan Democrats Vowed Transparency Reforms. Now, They Say Maybe Next Year

Bridge Michigan – Jonathan Oosting | Published: 10/18/2023

Michigan is poised to end the year the same way it began, as one of only two states to fully exempt both the governor’s office and Legislature from public, which the Legislature must finalize by the end of this year under a ballot measure voters approved in 2022. But Democrats are punting on other promised transparency reforms until at least next year, including expansion of the Freedom of Information Act and tighter lobbying rules.

Michigan – Two Lobbyists Get Prison Time for Michigan Medical Marijuana Corruption Scheme

Detroit Free Press – Arpan Lobo | Published: 10/18/2023

Brian Pierce, a former lobbyist who pleaded guilty to participating in a corruption scheme in Michigan’s now-defunct medical marijuana licensing agency, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Vincent Brown, the other lobbyist to plead guilty in the scheme, was sentenced to 20 months in prison. They both pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bribery, after the federal government accused them of providing $42,000 in cash bribes and other benefits to former House Speaker Rick Johnson during his time as chair of the former Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board.

Mississippi – Black Voters Fuel Democratic Hopes in Deep-Red Mississippi

Yahoo News – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 11/17/2023

Just three years ago, Mississippi had an election law on its books from 1890 constitutional that was designed to uphold “white supremacy” in the state. The law created a system for electing statewide officials that drastically reduced the political power of Black voters. Voters overturned the law in 2020. This summer, an appeals court threw out another law that had permanently stripped voting rights from people convicted of a range of felonies. Now Mississippi is holding its first election for governor since those laws fell, the contest is improbably competitive in this deep-red state, and Black voters are poised to play a critical role.

Nevada – Nevada Lawmakers Funded Nonprofits; How and Why a Firestorm of Controversy Followed

Nevada Independent – Tabitha Mueller and Eric Neugeboren | Published: 10/15/2023

Several Nevada Democrats have found themselves in the political crosshairs for helping pass two bills in the final days of the legislative session that awarded $110 million in state funds to their nonprofit employers and dozens of other community groups. Lawmakers with connections to the organizations they voted to fund noted guidance they received from the Legislature’s legal division, which maintained the votes are not a conflict-of-interest because the legislation affects the average Nevadan just as much as lawmakers.

New Hampshire – A 15-Year-Old Known for Tough Questions Was Kicked Out of a GOP Event

MSN – Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) | Published: 10/16/2023

Quinn Mitchell is not a journalist, political strategist, or even a voter. He is a 15-year-old high school freshman who, despite his age, has become a fixture on the New Hampshire presidential campaign circuit. His consistent presence and pointed questions at town halls and rallies led former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to describe him as “America’s most famous political teenager.” Quinn was recently kicked out of the state GOP’s First in the Nation Leadership Summit after a volunteer accused him of being a Democratic operative.

New Jersey – The Real Estate Tycoon Whose Fingerprints Are on the Menendez Indictment

DNyuz – Elise Young and Tracey Tully (New York Times) | Published: 10/16/2023

Fred Daibes, the real estate tycoon at the center of an international scandal threatening the career of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, has found his way out of more than one tough spot over the course of his tumultuous life. In 2018, federal indictment accusing him of scheming to defraud a bank he had founded threatened to upend his real estate empire and carried the risk of a lengthy prison term. It was then, prosecutors say, that he turned to a longtime ally for help: Sen. Menendez. What followed would form the basis for federal charges that Daibes, Menendez and his wife, and two other businesspeople are now facing.

New York – Can New York’s Mayor Speak Mandarin? No, but with AI He’s Making Robocalls in Different Languages

ABC News – Anthony Izaguirre (Associated Press) | Published: 10/17/2023

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been using artificial intelligence (AI) to make robocalls that contort his own voice into several languages he does not actually speak, posing new ethical questions about the government’s use of the rapidly evolving technology. The mayor said the robocalls have gone out in languages such as Mandarin and Yiddish to promote city hiring events. They have not included any disclosure that he only speaks English, or the calls were generated using AI.

Ohio – Ohio’s Redistricting Process Gets an ‘F’ from National Group

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 10/12/2023

Ohio’s redistricting process received a failing grade from Common Cause, which deemed the state;s congressional and legislative maps to be “unmitigated disasters” overall. The report noted how Ohio residents last year voted on the state’s congressional delegation and most of the state Legislature using district lines that were found to be unconstitutionally gerrymandered by the state Supreme Court.

Oklahoma – Ethics Commission Job Posting Redone, Legislature Asked to Triple Budget

NonDoc – Michael McNutt | Published: 10/16/2023

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to extend the search for its next executive director after the state’s attorney general claimed the search “process has been irreparably flawed and must be started anew.” Commissioners also approved a budget request for the 2025 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2024. The request, more than three times the amount the agency received this year, will be presented to the Oklahoma Legislature for consideration during next year’s regular session.

Pennsylvania – The Ethics Board Is Appealing a Ruling That Dismissed Its Case Against a Super PAC That Backed Jeff Brown for Mayor

MSN – Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 10/19/2023

The Philadelphia Board of Ethics appealed a court ruling that dismissed its high-profile lawsuit against the super PAC that backed Jeff Brown’s unsuccessful campaign for mayor. The board in April sent shockwaves through the mayor’s race when it sued For A Better Philadelphia, which spent millions of dollars to boost Brown as he sought the Democratic nomination. The board accused the super PAC of illegally coordinating with Brown because he raised money for the group in the months leading up to the launch of his campaign in November 2022.

Texas – El Paso City Council Advances Plan for Broader Political Contribution Reporting

MSN – Adam Powell (El Paso Times) | Published: 10/13/2023

The El Paso City Council advanced a plan that would increase transparency around political contributions but stopped short of acting on a proposed cap on donations. The council voted direct city staff to draft an ordinance that would require disclosure of donors who contributed $500 or more and might benefit from council actions.

West Virginia – DOT Head Claims No Conflict of Interest from Agency Contracts with Firm Employing His Son Before State Lawmakers

Charleston Gazette-Mail – Mike Tony | Published: 10/17/2023

West Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Jimmy Wriston suggested there is no conflict-of-interest nor appearance of one stemming from the relationship between his agency and a firm the agency contracts with that employs his son. Wriston signed two contracts for the Division of Highways to pay over $25.7 million to the firm, Michael Baker International. At the time, Wriston was deputy commissioner of the Division of Highways. Gov. Jim Justice named Wriston DOT secretary and DOH commissioner in October 2021.

October 18, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections Mississippi: “Black Voters Fuel Democratic Hopes in Deep-Red Mississippi” by Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) for Yahoo News Ethics Alaska: “Alaska Attorney General Approves Free Legal Defense for Top Officials Accused of Ethical Lapses” by James Brooks (Alaska Beacon) for Frontiersman California: “San Francisco […]

October 16, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Maryland: “1776 Project PAC Fined $20,000 for Texts Sent to Carroll Voters on Behalf of Battaglia, Miller, Whisler” by Thomas Goodwin Smith (Baltimore Sun) for MSN Texas: “El Paso City Council Advances Plan for Broader Political Contribution Reporting” by Adam Powell (El […]

October 13, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 13, 2023

National/Federal Ex-Treasurer for Rep. George Santos Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy, Tells of Bogus Loan and Fake Donors ABC News – Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) | Published: 10/5/2023 The ex-treasurer for U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty to a fraud conspiracy charge and […]

National/Federal

Ex-Treasurer for Rep. George Santos Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy, Tells of Bogus Loan and Fake Donors

ABC News – Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) | Published: 10/5/2023

The ex-treasurer for U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty to a fraud conspiracy charge and implicated Santos in a scheme to embellish his campaign finance reports with a fake loan and fake donors. Nancy Marks, who was a close aide to Santos during his two congressional bids, is a longtime political operative and bookkeeper for multiple candidates.

Trump Allegedly Discussed US Nuclear Subs with Foreign National After Leaving White House: Sources

ABC News – Katherine Faulders, Alexander Mallin, and Mike Levine | Published: 10/5/2023

Months after leaving the White House, former President Trump allegedly discussed potentially sensitive information about U.S. nuclear submarines with a member of his Mar-a-Lago Club – an Australian billionaire who then allegedly shared the information with scores of others, including more than a dozen foreign officials, several of his own employees, and a handful of journalists. Prosecutors and FBI agents have at least twice this year interviewed Anthony Pratt, who runs one of the world’s largest packaging companies.

Drawing the Line on AI-Based Deepfakes Proves Tricky for Congress

MSN – Gopal Ratnam (Roll Call) | Published: 10/11/2023

A bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed legislation that would ban the “distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media” about individuals seeking federal office. Civil rights groups, political consultants, free-speech advocates, and lawmakers across the political spectrum have agreed that the use of AI-generated deceptive ads poses risks to the democratic process by misleading voters. The trouble, though, is figuring out where to draw the line on what constitutes deception, or how to enforce prohibitions.

Republicans Fail to Coalesce Around Speaker Choice, Leaving House in Limbo

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor, Leigh Ann Caldwell, and Jaqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 10/11/2023

House Republicans were on the verge of open revolt after the ideologically fractious conference failed to coalesce around a speaker nominee, leaving the chamber rudderless and leaderless. The inability of Republicans to agree on who will lead them has left the chamber in an effective standstill since Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker, unable to consider any legislation to aid Israel in its war against Hamas or pass any appropriation bills to avoid a potential government shutdown. Neither issue produced enough urgency for Republicans to quickly elect a speaker as many had hoped, again highlighting the conference’s deep divisions.

Charles Koch Has Given More Than $5 Billion of His Stock to Two

MSN – Matt Durot (Forbes) | Published: 10/10/2023

Charles Koch is making big moves to ensure his charities and causes are funded long after he is gone. Koch, who is worth $54.5 billion, said that over the last four years he has transferred $5.3 billion of his conglomerate’s nonvoting stock to a pair of nonprofits with fewer restrictions on lobbying and politics than traditional charities. Koch did not make gifts of his company stock directly to the Stand Together nonprofit network. Instead, he chose groups that support the network and are allowed to directly engage in political campaigns and to do an unlimited amount of issue lobbying, as long as those are not their primary activities).

Biden Interviewed About Classified Documents Found at His Office, Home

MSN – Tyler Pager and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 10/9/2023

President Biden was interviewed over the last two days as part of the investigation led by special counsel Robert Hur into the discovery of classified documents at Biden’s private office and Delaware home. When appointing Hur to lead the probe, Attorney General Merrick Garland cited the “extraordinary circumstances” of the Justice Department investigating the president as he considered a reelection bid. Biden formally launched his reelection campaign months later.

New Charges Accuse George Santos of Identity Theft, Credit Card Fraud

MSN – Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) | Published: 10/10/2023

A superseding indictment charges U.S. Rep. George Santos with stealing the identities of family members and using donors’ credit cards to spend thousands of dollars, intensifying the legal peril facing Santos five months after he was charged with a host of other financial crimes. The most recent indictment accuses Santos of running two fraudulent schemes during the 2022 election cycle, in addition to the other shams alleged in May.

Two Families Got Fed Up with Their States’ Politics. So They Moved Out.

Seattle Times – Trip Gabriel (New York Times) | Published: 10/7/2023

Americans are increasingly fracturing as a people, and some are taking the extraordinary step of moving to escape a political or social climate they abhor. Democrats have left red states as Republicans have moved out of blue states, often over views on issues like abortion, transgender rights, school curricula, guns, race, and other matters. While there is no precise count of how many Americans have relocated because of politics and social issues, interviews with demographers and people who have moved or are considering moving, as well as a review of social media postings and polling, show the phenomenon is real.

Menendez Indictment Revives Concerns Over Money and Influence in Politics

Yahoo News – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 10/11/2023

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez is facing allegations he and his wife accepted “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in bribes. In exchange, he allegedly used his influence to protect three businesspeople and benefit the government of Egypt. The new criminal charges against Menendez have invited scrutiny of the legal ways money may influence public policy, including political contributions and lobbying. Paul Miller, founding partner at Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, takes issue with tying lobbyists to the Menendez case, which centers on alleged bribery by businesspeople who are not registered lobbyists.

Trump’s Claim That He Can’t Be Prosecuted Collides with Precedents

Yahoo News – Adam Liptak (New York Times) | Published: 10/12/2023

Among the bold claims in a recent motion filed by Donald Trump seeking to dismiss the federal indictment accusing him of conspiring to undermine the 2020 election, there was a significant concession. The key U.S. Supreme Court precedent the motion relied on for claiming “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution, his lawyers acknowledged, did not address criminal prosecutions. Should Trump lose in the trial court and on appeal, there is every reason to think he will ask the Supreme Court to step in.

Democrats Have Relied on One Company’s Tools to Power Its Campaigns. They’re Now Facing a Possible Collapse.

Yahoo News – Brittany Gibson and Madison Fernandez (Politico) | Published: 10/5/2023

A company at the center of the Democratic Party’s digital strategy is on the verge of a meltdown, sparking alarm among a broad constellation of liberal groups that are relying on it ahead of 2024. NGP VAN provides tools used by Democrats, from the White House to local school boards, to raise money and mobilize voters. But with new management in recent years, it has been stripping its operations to the bare bones.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Rep. John Rogers Says He Rejected Plea Deal in Federal Corruption Case, Will Seek 12th Term

MSN – Joseph Bryant (AL.com) | Published: 10/12/2023

As he makes his first court appearance in his federal corruption case, state Rep. John Rogers says he is ready to fight the charges and seek another term in the Alabama Legislature. A grand jury charged Rogers with obstruction in a kickback scheme involving public money from the Jefferson County Community Service fund, a collection of tax dollars that local lawmakers get to dole out to local causes. Prosecutors allege Rogers attempted to bribe someone to lie to investigators about the scheme by promising them additional public money.

Alabama – Court Picks New Alabama Congressional Map That Will Likely Flip One Seat to Democrats

Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro and Madison Fernandez (Politico) | Published: 10/5/2023

A federal court picked Alabama’s new congressional map, which will likely result in an additional Black – and Democratic – member in the delegation. The new map came after the same panel of federal judges twice found that lines drawn by the GOP-dominated Legislature likely violated the Voting Rights Act by weakening the power of Black voters. The new lines will be used for at least the 2024 elections, though Alabama Republicans have vowed to fight them for future cycles.

Arizona – Arizona Recount Law Could Delay Certifying 2024 Election, Officials Say

MSN – Yvonne Winget Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 10/5/2023

If the 2024 presidential election is close in Arizona, a newly enacted state law will mandate a ballot recount that will probably cause the state to miss crucial deadlines for certifying the vote. The battleground state is expected to play a pivotal role in the next presidential election and any holdup in counting votes there could cause chaos.

Arkansas – Scrutiny of Arkansas Governor’s $19,000 Lectern Deepens After New Records Are Released

Yahoo News – Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) | Published: 10/10/2023

Arkansas Gov, Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing new and deepening questions after newly released public records revealed her office bought a lectern for $19,000 and a whistle-blower accused the office of altering records to cover up the spending. The Arkansas Republican Party paid for the lectern in September, but the words “to be reimbursed” were only added later to the original invoice. The undated reimbursement note adds to weeks of scrutiny over the purchase. A legislative panel is expected to vote on a request for an audit of the lectern’s purchase.

California – Secret Tape Scandal One Year Later: What’s changed at LA City Hall?

MSN – Frank Stoltze (LAist) | Published: 10/10/2023

Outrage followed the release in 2022 of a secretly recorded audio tape of some Los Angeles City Council members making racist and derogatory remarks. The audio was from a meeting where four council members were discussing how to redraw council district boundaries in a way that would maintain their power. For weeks, council meetings were marked by loud, angry protests that often shut down the proceedings. In the year since the tapes were leaked, the fallout from the scandal has fundamentally changed City Hall.

California – SF Government Watchdogs Eye New Ethics Regulations

San Francisco Examiner – Adam Shanks | Published: 10/11/2023

More than three years after a corruption scandal swept through San Francisco City Hall, the Ethics Commission will see its broad proposal for reforms finally land on the ballot. The measure. set to appear before voters in March 2024, would set new restrictions on accepting gifts and expand ethics training for city employees. In the meantime, the Ethics Commission is already contemplating regulations on thorny topics such as city employees’ ability to manage companies that contract with their own departments.

Florida – Mayor Suarez Praised Ken Griffin’s Controversial Plan. Billionaire’s Aide Wrote the Quote

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey, and Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 10/5/2023

When a reporter asked Miami Mayor Francis Suarez to comment on billionaire Ken Griffin’s controversial plan to relocate a historic home from his $106 million bayfront estate and turn it into a tourist attraction, the mayor expressed his full support. But Suarez’s sentiments were scripted, word for word, by Griffin’s spokesperson, who gave them to the city, emails indicate. The mayor’s office then presented the statement as Suarez’s own words to the Miami Herald.

Illinois – Illinois Democrats Drew New Maps. The Changes Pushed the GOP to the Right.

MSN – Kevin Sullivan and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 10/7/2023

Illinois Democrats used their supermajority to redraw congressional district lines in a way that would strengthen their already solid lock on power. The strategy worked, adding one Democratic seat to the Illinois delegation, and trimming two Republican ones as GOP voters were packed into a smaller number of districts. The new map also accomplished what experts say gerrymandering does with ruthless efficiency, regardless of whether Democrats or Republicans are responsible: hollowing out the moderate political center and driving both parties further toward the ideological fringes.

Illinois – City Settlement Deal Demands Silence from Whistleblowers Fired by Chicago Treasurer Conyears-Ervin

MSN – Gregory Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/11/2023

In a departure from usual practices at City Hall, Chicago’s $100,000 settlement agreement with whistleblowers who were fired by Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin prohibits them from publicly discussing their negative experiences in her office. Of more than three dozen settlements reached with city workers over the past five years, the deal that Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration reached with the treasurer’s ex-employees was the only one that contained what amounts to a gag order. In a handful of cases, former employees agreed not to discuss the terms of their settlements, but they could still speak freely about their time in city government.

Illinois – ‘You Added Another Star to Chicago’s Walk of Shame’: Berrios son-in-law gets 5 1/2 years in prison in bribery case involving two state legislators

Yahoo Finance – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/11/2023

James Weiss, the son-in-law of former Cook County Democratic boss Joseph Berrios, was sentenced to five-and-one-half years in prison, bringing an end to a bribery case centered on the shady world of sweepstakes gaming with elements of political corruption, a state senator turned government mole, and even alleged mob ties. In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Steven Seeger decried Chicago’s long history of public corruption, saying cases like Weiss’ cause people to “roll their eyes” when they meet someone from Chicago.

Iowa – Democrats Remove Iowa Caucuses from First-in-the-Nation Status

MSN – Tyler Pager and Michael Scherer (Washington Post) | Published: 10/6/2023

The Democratic Party officially dislodged Iowa from its prized status as the first state in the presidential nominating process, approving the state Democratic Party’s plan to release their results on Super Tuesday next year. The decision ends a nearly two-year fight over Iowa’s place in selecting a Democratic nominee, which resulted in a complete overhaul of the calendar.

Kentucky – Louisville’s Ethics Board Sues City Over Control of Its Own Records

WDRB – Marcus Green | Published: 10/10/2023

Metro government’s ethics agency is suing Louisville and Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell, claiming it does not have total control over its own records as local law requires. The lawsuit argues the mayor-appointed Louisville Metro Ethics Commission is :at the mercy” of Metro government and its open records personnel to fulfill those requests under Kentucky law. As a result, the suit alleges, some records have been made public without the commission’s input, while it is not known if documents have been withheld.

Michigan – Michigan Republican Party Faces Financial Turmoil, Bank Records Show

Killeen Daily – Craig Mauger (Detroit News) | Published: 9/30/2023

The Michigan Republican Party had about $35,000 in its bank accounts in August, according to internal records that flash new warning signs about the dire state of the GOP’s finances and raise questions about whether the organization is complying with campaign finance laws. The party has regularly transferred money from an account that is usually focused on federal elections to other accounts to afford expenses. Earlier this year, the party’s federal account was loaned $15,000 after that account’s balance turned negative. The transaction was not reported in disclosures from the campaign or the party’s federal committee.

Montana – Political Commissioner Dismisses Dems’ Ethics Complaint Against Lt. Gov

Helena Independent Record – Seaborn Larson | Published: 10/11/2023

Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus dismissed an ethics complaint regarding Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras’ rental agreement with a religious advocacy group. Gallus found the complaint filed by state Democrats failed to articulate a violation and instead urged his office to investigate the party’s suspicions. The Montana Democratic Party asserted Juras was given a lease agreement below market rate for a rental home owned by the Montana Family Institute. That organization is closely aligned with the Montana Family Foundation, a longtime proponent of conservative causes.

New York – Appellate Division Says State Ethics Panel Can Keep Working

Albany Times Union – Brendan Lyons | Published: 10/10/2023

A state appeals court said New York’s ethics panel can remain in operation as it seeks to overturn a lower court decision that determined its structure violates the state constitution. The appeals court’s decision comes a month after a state Supreme Court justice ruled the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government was created in violation of the constitution and must suspend its work.

New York – After Years of Exaggerating His Business Assets, Trump Confronts Them in Court

MSN – Jonathan O’Connell and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 10/10/2023

Thousands of pages of court documents prepared by New York Attorney General Letitia James as evidence in the fraud case she has filed against Donald Trump show how accounting, banking, and real estate experts repeatedly informed Trump how much his properties and businesses were really worth. But over and over again, the documents reveal that Trump, his adult sons, and top executives allegedly ignored or sidelined those experts, exchanging their figures for numbers from another source: Trump’s own intuition.

New York – Mob Allegations Tail Tow Truckers in City Hall Bribery Scandal

The City – Greg Smith | Published: 10/10/2023

A tow company owner who raised money for New York City Mayor Eric Adams and faces bribery charges tied to his interactions with a former top mayoral aide has been enmeshed in scandals dating back 25 years, including one in which prosecutors alleged his company was controlled by the Genovese crime family. Mazzio was indicted on charges of bribing aide Eric Ulrich. In exchange for cash and New York Mets tickets, prosecutors allege Ulrich got Mazzio access to Adams’ chief advisor and a dinner with the mayor.

North Carolina – North Carolina Republicans Override Governor’s Veto on Key Election Law

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 10/10/2023

Republican lawmakers overrode North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill that overhauls who runs elections and achieves a long-sought goal of the state GOP. The legislation creates bipartisan boards that could deadlock on establishing early voting locations or certifying results in a state that may prove crucial in next year’s presidential election. Republicans contend the bill helps guarantee elections will be run fairly by establishing bipartisan election boards that will take politics out of the process.

Ohio – Ohio’s GOP Supermajority Tests Limits of Democracy Before Abortion Vote

MSN – Annie Gowan (Washington Post) | Published: 10/6/2023

In state after state since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Democrats and their abortion rights allies have won victories over Republicans and others who oppose abortion. The latest battleground is Ohio, where a GOP supermajority has fought to consolidate its power in ways that critics, and even some within the party, say threatens democracy.

Ohio – Ohio GOP Rivalry Escalates with Lawsuit Against House Speaker, Fight for Campaign Fund Control

MSN – Samantha Hendrickson (Associated Press) | Published: 10/11/2023

A schism between House Republicans appears to only be widening after a rival GOP-contingent sued fellow conservative Speaker Jason Stephens to seize control of over $1 million in campaign money from the Ohio House Republican Alliance and its coffers that fund campaigns for state GOP legislators. The lawsuit argues Rep. Derek Merrin is the leader of the alliance after a closed-door vote by the majority of the House Republican caucus earlier this year. Therefore, he leads the alliance and has authority over distributing its funds, which are expected to grow as campaign season revs up.

Ohio – Ex-Cincinnati Councilman PG Sittenfeld Sentenced to 16 Months in Federal Prison

WVXU – Nick Swartsell | Published: 10/10/2023

Former Cincinnati City Councilperson P.G. Sittenfeld will spend 16 months in prison, one year on probation, and pay a $40,000 fine on corruption charges. A jury found Sittenfeld guilty on one charge of bribery and one charge of extortion in 2022. At the center of Sittenfeld’s conviction are allegations he received $20,000 from undercover FBI agents.

Oklahoma – Okla. Board Moves Forward with Nation’s First Religious Charter School

MSN – Moriah Balingit (Washington Post) | Published: 10/9/2023

A state board in Oklahoma approved a contract with St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School, bringing the institution one step closer to becoming the first publicly funded religious charter school in the nation. The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted for the contract despite opposition from the state’s attorney general and a lawsuit that seeks to stop the school from opening. If the school opens, it would represent a new model in education: a tuition-free school with a religious curriculum that is funded largely with taxpayer dollars.

Oregon – Oregon Audits Division Urged to Pull OLCC Report After Inquest into Potential Influence from Former Secretary of State’s Cannabis Ties

KGW – Jamie Parfitt | Published: 10/11/2023

A newly released report dives into the role that former Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan played in an audit of the state’s cannabis regulatory agency, completed just before Fagan resigned amid ethics concerns due to her moonlighting work in the cannabis industry. Oregon’s audits division, like its election division, is overseen by the secretary of state. Around the time that Fagan resigned, Gov. Tina Kotek requested that Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum conduct an examination of the audits division’s cannabis audit in order to determine if there had been any influence from Fagan’s ties to the industry.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Commission Dismisses Complaint Against Lobbyist Who Led Failed Holvey Recall

Yahoo News – Alan Torres (Eugene Register-Guard) | Published: 10/7/2023

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted unanimously to dismiss a complaint against Michael Selvaggio, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local (UFCW) 555 lobbyist who led the failed recall campaign against state Rep. Paul Holvey. The lawmaker accused Selvaggio of violating state law by filing the recall while House Bill 3183, a priority bill for UFCW that Holvey opposed, was in the House Rules Committee. It is illegal for a lobbyist to influence a legislator’s vote by funding or threatening to fund opposition.

Pennsylvania – Inside a Tangled Web of Pa. Businesses and Big Campaign Cash

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Matt Bernardini and Mike Wereschagin | Published: 10/9/2023

The flood of campaign donations by businessperson Adam Kidan and the access he gained through those contributions to prominent politicians illustrates how top political donors can enter the corridors of power through doors not open to average voters. With critical campaigns next year for president and U.S. Senate, good-government experts worry the use of corporations to dump cash into elections is undermining laws designed to show the public who is behind the most consequential decision-makers in the country.

South Carolina – Supreme Court Likely to Side with South Carolina GOP in Racial Gerrymandering Case

Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 10/11/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared likely to uphold a Republican-drawn congressional district in South Carolina that a lower court found was racially gerrymandered. The case tests the legal limits of partisan gerrymandering when it intersects with race. The NAACP is accusing GOP lawmakers of drawing the state’s First Congressional District by shuffling Black voters in and out of the district to make it reliably Republican.

Texas – Texas Republicans’ Internecine Fights Overshadow Special Session

MSN – Molly Hennessey-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 10/8/2023

A civil war is raging among Texas Republicans. As lawmakers returned to Austin to address school vouchers and border security, that infighting threatens to consume the third special session of the year. The GOP has ruled all three branches of state government for decades, but this year tensions within the party have boiled over into very public battles. “… You have leadership of the Republican Party … trying to fend off challenges from the grassroots, certainly populist wing of the party,” said Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican strategist based in Austin.

Washington – Port of Seattle Commissioner Felleman Violated Ethics Code, Board Finds

Seattle Times – Renata Geraldo | Published: 10/5/2023

Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman violated the Port’s code of ethics by using his position to gain special privileges or exemptions with a nonprofit, the Port Board of Ethics found. Felleman tried using his commissioner status to get involved in the leadership of nonprofit Washington Maritime Blue’s Quiet Sound program. Quiet Sound, partly funded by the Port, seeks to reduce the underwater noise impact of large vessels on orcas. The program’s procedures say nontribal elected officials cannot join its leadership committee.

Wisconsin – As Wisconsin Supreme Court Takes Up Maps Case, Impeachment Threat Looms

Yahoo News – Reid Epstein and Julie Bosman (New York Times) | Published: 10/6/2023

The liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to hear a case challenging the state’s Republican-drawn legislative districts, a decision that could spur impeachment proceedings against a newly elected justice, Janet Protasiewicz, who refused to recuse herself from the case. The decision to accept the case, known as an original action because it means the case will bypass Wisconsin’s trial and appeals courts, comes over the objections of at least two of the court’s three conservative justices and the state’s leading Republicans.

October 12, 2023 • Written by Carlo Aguja

Ask The Experts – Updates to the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission (ILRC) Website

Indiana State Capitol - By Daniel Schwen / CC BY-SA

Q: I heard the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission (ILRC) updated their website. How will the changes affect how lobbyists register and file reports? A: Yes, the ILRC has upgraded their reporting system and new features have been added. Per the […]

Q: I heard the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission (ILRC) updated their website. How will the changes affect how lobbyists register and file reports?

A: Yes, the ILRC has upgraded their reporting system and new features have been added. Per the ILRC, the updates will be live as of September 2023.

For registrations, memorandums of understanding (MOU) will be filed from within the online filing system. Lobbyists will no longer need to email a digital copy and the MOU will be a part of the online filing process and accessible online. To add a new lobbyist, a lobbyist will be asked to enter the date of the lobbying agreement and the social security or tax identification number. The system will search and verify the lobbyist is not already in the system. If the lobbyist is not in the system, then it will proceed to create a new MOU. If the lobbyist is in the system, instructions will be given on how to proceed. To amend a current MOU, the lobbyist may select their name from a dropdown list and make the appropriate changes to the information.

All filings will now be submitted directly to the ILRC after being approved by either the lobbyist or by the responsible person. Previously, filers were required to do a final submission as the preparer of the report or registration after approval. Going forward, lobbyists will be notified when the filing is approved and submitted directly to the Commission. An audit process has been added to the filing system to ensure the accuracy of filings and the ILRC will reach out if a filing was declined due to an error or omission which must be corrected before it is accepted.

Other changes include upgrades to the system’s search function. As soon as a lobbyist opens their account the dashboard will now include pending filings, MOUs, and appeals. Additional search upgrades include being able to sort previous filings by year, type, status, and confirmation number.

The information from this response can easily be found on our website in the Lobbying Compliance section of the United States Compliance Laws publication. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.

October 12, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections North Carolina: “North Carolina Republicans Override Governor’s Veto on Key Election Law” by Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN Ethics Arkansas: “Scrutiny of Arkansas Governor’s $19,000 Lectern Deepens After New Records Are Released” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for Yahoo News National: “New Charges […]

October 11, 2023 • Written by Marilyn Wesel

New York Commission Offers Guidance Following Appeals Court Injunction

NY State Capitol - by formulanone

The Appellate Division, Third Department granted a stay and injunction in the matter of Cuomo v. COELIG. The state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government issued a statement from Chair Frederick A. Davie and Executive Director Sandford N. Berland […]

October 9, 2023 • Written by Samuel Wilkinson

Sarasota, Florida Lobbying Law Proposed

A Sarasota commissioner has proposed an act to require lobbyist registration for any person hired for the purpose of lobbying. The act is intended to diminish clandestine lobbying done in secret by private individuals. This act will affect anyone paid […]

October 9, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance National: “Ex-Treasurer for Rep. George Santos Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy, Tells of Bogus Loan and Fake Donors” by Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) for ABC News Pennsylvania: “Inside a Tangled Web of Pa. Businesses and Big Campaign Cash” by Matt Bernardini and Mike […]

October 6, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 6, 2023

National/Federal Supreme Court to Decide Landmark Texas, Florida Social Media Cases and More MSN – Ann Marimow and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 9/29/2023 The Supreme Court said it would wade into the future of free speech online and decide whether […]

National/Federal

Supreme Court to Decide Landmark Texas, Florida Social Media Cases and More

MSN – Ann Marimow and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 9/29/2023

The Supreme Court said it would wade into the future of free speech online and decide whether laws passed in Texas and Florida can restrict social media companies from removing certain political posts or accounts. The court’s review of those laws will be the highest-profile examination to date of allegations that Silicon Valley companies are illegally censoring conservative viewpoints. Those accusations reached a fever pitch when Facebook, Twitter, and other companies suspended Donald Trump’s accounts in the wake of the attack on the Capitol.

For Supreme Court, Ethics Have Become the Elephant in the Courtroom

MSN – Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 10/1/2023

Some of the issues and political stalemates that haunt the Supreme Court are returning for the new term, accompanied by another concern: how to convince the public that the justices take seriously their ethical obligations. Reports about some justices hobnobbing with billionaire friends on lavish trips and maintaining ties to those who have business before the court have become the elephant in the courtroom. Justices across the ideological spectrum have said confidence in their decision-making is key to public acceptance of the court’s role as the final word on the law and Constitution.

Federal Appeals Court Expands Limits on Biden Administration in First Amendment Case

MSN – Jessica Guynn and John Fritze (USA Today) | Published: 10/3/2023

The nation’s top cybersecurity defense agency likely violated the First Amendment when lobbying Silicon Valley companies to remove or suppress the spread of online content about elections, a federal appeals court ruled. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals expanded an injunction to include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, ruling it used frequent interactions with social media platforms “to push them to adopt more restrictive policies on election-related speech.”

Vote to Oust McCarthy Is a Warning Sign for Democracy, Scholars Say

MSN – Sarah Ellison (Washington Post) | Published: 10/4/2023

Historians and political scientists say the vote to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House is a warning sign for the health of American democracy. The vote reflected the enormous power that a small group of representatives on their party’s ideological fringe can wield over an entire institution, said Daniel Ziblatt, a professor of government at Harvard University. It also showcased how difficult it will be for anyone to corral the House in a way that is functional, with major decisions over the budget and Ukraine funding ahead. “… [This] should set off alarm bells that something is not right,” said Ziblatt.

Gaetz’s Ouster of McCarthy Draws Attention to His Ethics Issues

Seattle Times – Luke Broadwater (New York Times) | Published: 10/3/2023

Rep. Matt Gaetz’s successful push to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy has cemented his status as one of the most reviled members of the House of Representatives, including among many of his fellow Republicans, and drawn attention to a long-running investigation by the House Ethics Committee into Gaetz’s conduct. McCarthy has argued that Gaetz’s motion to remove him is little more than personal payback for McCarthy’s failure to interfere with the inquiry, which is looking into allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of funds by Gaetz.

Republican Group Running Anti-Trump Ads Finds Little Is Working

Yahoo News – Jonathan Swain (New York Times) | Published: 9/29/2023

A well-funded group of anti-Trump conservatives has sent its donors a candid memo that reveals how resilient former President Trump has been against millions of dollars of negative ads the group deployed against him in two early voting states. Win It Back has spent more than $4 million trying to lower Trump’s support among Republican voters in Iowa and nearly $2 million more in South Carolina. But in the memo, the head of Win It Back PAC, David McIntosh, acknowledges that after testing more than 40 anti-Trump television ads, “all attempts to undermine his conservative credentials on specific issues were ineffective.”

Giuliani’s Drinking, Long a Fraught Subject, Has Trump Prosecutors’ Attention

Yahoo News – Matt Flegenheimer and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 10/4/2023

For more than a decade, friends conceded, Rudolph Giuliani’s drinking has been a problem. As he surged back to prominence during Donald Trump’s presidency, it was getting more difficult to hide it. Now, prosecutors in the federal election case against Trump have shown an interest in Giuliani’s drinking habits and whether the former president ignored what his aides described as the plain inebriation of the former mayor. The answer could complicate any efforts by Trump’s team to lean on a so-called advice-of-counsel defense, a strategy that could portray him as a client merely taking professional cues from his lawyers.

Supreme Court Rejects Eastman’s Bid to Scrap Rulings That Sent His Emails to Jan. 6 Investigators

Yahoo News – Josh Gerstein and Kylie Cheney (Politico) | Published: 10/2/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court, minus a recused Clarence Thomas, turned down a bid by attorney John Eastman to erase court rulings that described him as a linchpin in former President Trump’s bid to subvert the 2020 election. The decision essentially enshrines rulings by a federal judge in California that found Eastman’s emails contained evidence of a likely crime related to Trump’s efforts.

As Menendez’s Star Rose, Fears of Corruption Cast a Persistent Shadow

Yahoo News – Nicholas Fandos (New York Times) | Published: 9/27/2023

Robert Menendez rose from a New Jersey tenement to the pinnacle of power in Washington as the state’s senior U.S. senator. But those who have closely followed his career say the years he spent enmeshed in former Union City Mayor William Musto’s machine also set the tone for another, more sinister undercurrent that now threatens to swallow it – one in which Menendez became a power broker himself whose own close ties to moneyed interests have repeatedly attracted the scrutiny of federal prosecutors.

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, an Advocate for Liberal Priorities, Dies at Age 90

Yahoo News – Michael Blood and Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press) | Published: 9/29/2023

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, broke gender barriers throughout her long career in local and national politics, has died. She was 90. Feinstein, the oldest sitting senator, was a passionate advocate for liberal priorities important to her state, including environmental protection, reproductive rights, and gun control, but was also known as a pragmatic lawmaker who reached out to Republicans and sought middle ground.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Her Calendar Was Mostly Open. She Wasn’t in Office. Why Was Attorney General Aide Paid?

MSN – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 10/4/2023

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced in July that her chief of staff would be leaving the office four weeks later, wishing her “all the best in her future endeavors.” In the month that followed, that top aide, Amy Love, appeared to do little to no work while collecting a paycheck from taxpayers. Love went to the office just once in four weeks. She sent just one email in that time, to another staffer. Many of the meetings on Love’s schedule were canceled, and those that remained largely appear to be routine internal team meetings. It is unclear if Love attended those gatherings.

Arizona – Audit Flags Lavish Spending by Arizona to Woo Business Executives. State Leaders Defend It.

MSN – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 10/3/2023

Arizona political and economic development leaders’ use of major events such as the Super Bowl to woo company executives to bring business to the state have cost more than $2.4 million in six years, according to a new audit. Dubbed the CEO Forum, the business recruiting events tied to high-profile sporting events were a favorite way for former Gov. Doug Ducey to tout the perks of the state as part of his effort to be business friendly. The auditor general asked the state attorney general to probe whether the program violated the gift clause of the Arizona Constitution.

Arizona – Arizona Says No Labels Must Accept All Candidates Even If Third Parties Opposes Them

Yahoo News – Associated Press | Published: 9/29/2023

Arizona’s top elections official says the No Labels party cannot block candidates from using its ballot line to run for office, boosting opponents’ efforts to force the movement for a third-party presidential ticket to release more information about its anonymous donors. A senior official for Secretary of State Adrian Fontes rejected No Labels’ request to exclude two people who have filed paperwork to run for state office without the support of the party’s leadership. One of the two people opposes No Labels and is deliberately trying to force the party to comply with Arizona’s campaign finance laws.

California – Newsom Taps Emily’s List Leader to Fill Feinstein’s Senate Seat

MSN – Maeve Reston and Tyler Pager (Washington Post) | Published: 10/2/2023

California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein, who died at the age of 90. Feinstein had just over a year left in her term and had said she would not run again. Three of California’s top Democrats – U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff – are in a contentious primary to fill the seat starting in January 2025, in what is likely to be the most expensive congressional race in the nation next year.

California – L.A. Councilmember John Lee Accused of Violating Ethics Laws During 2017 Vegas Trip

MSN – Julia Wick, Dakota Smith, and David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 10/2/2023

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission accused city Councilperson John Lee of violating ethics laws during a trip he took to Las Vegas before he was elected to the council. The accusations stem from Lee’s time working as chief of staff for former Councilperson Mitchell Englander, who pleaded guilty in 2020 to lying to federal investigators and was later sentenced to 14 months in prison. According to commission investigators, Lee accepted “multiple gifts from a businessperson and a developer, most of which exceeded the gift limit,” in 2016 and 2017.

California – L.A. Councilmembers Seek to Create Office for Ethics Compliance

MSN – City News Service | Published: 10/4/2023

In an attempt to increase public trust, two Los Angeles City Council members introduced a motion seeking to establish an Office of Compliance, with staff and resources to help identify potential conflicts-of-interest in advance of any votes. The office would review financial disclosure and other forms, as well as council and committee agendas to identify any potential conflicts. The city council has been rocked by a number of ethics scandals and accusations in recent years.

California – Disgraced SF Building Inspector Gets More Prison Time

San Francisco Examiner – Marcus White | Published: 10/2/2023

A San Francisco building inspector caught in a web of corruption at City Hall will serve at least another year in prison when his sentence begins. Bernie Curran, who pleaded guilty to perjury and financial conflict-of-interest, was sentenced to two years in prison. Curran can serve that sentence concurrently with a one-year, one-day federal sentence after he pleaded guilty in July to accepting illegal payments from people whose buildings he inspected.

California – Lawsuit Claims OC Board of Education Member Failed to Disclose $14 Million in Income

Voice of OC – Brandon Pho | Published: 10/4/2023

A retired federal judge brought a civil lawsuit against Orange County Board of Education member Mari Barke for allegedly failing to disclose as much as $14 million in income and business interests since her election. It comes amidst a campaign finance probe by the Fair Political Practices Commission into Barke’s disclosure filings. The lawsuit says that until March of this year, Barke had only reported $99 worth of income, business interests, investments, and gifts since assuming office in 2018.

California – Court Rules for Fresno Councilmembers in Lawsuit with County Over Campaign Money Transfers

Yahoo News – Tim Sheehan (Fresno Bee) | Published: 10/2/2023

Superior Court Judge Jonathan Skiles ruled against Fresno County’s campaign fundraising law limiting the amount a candidate for supervisor can transfer from another fund. The county limited transfers to $30,000, whereas incumbents had no limits on money from previous campaigns. City council members Garry Bredefeld and Luis Chavez now will have the ability to move their campaign funds to their races for the county board of supervisors.

District of Columbia – Leonard Leo Says He Will Not Cooperate with D.C. Attorney General Tax Probe

Yahoo News – Heidi Przybyla (Politico) | Published: 10/3/2023

Judicial activist Leonard Leo is not cooperating with an investigation by District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb for potentially misusing nonprofit tax laws for personal enrichment. David Rivkin, Leo’s attorney, said Schwalb has “no legal authority to conduct any investigatory steps or take any enforcement measures” because Leo’s multi-billion-dollar aligned nonprofits, which poured millions of dollars into campaigning for the nominations of conservative Supreme Court justices and advocating before them, were organized outside of the District of Columbia.

Florida – Miami Mayor Suarez Officially Under State Ethics Investigation for World Cup, F1 Tickets

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey and Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 9/28/2023

The Florida Commission on Ethics officially opened an investigation into Miami Mayor Francis Suarez following a complaint regarding his acceptance of expensive tickets to sporting events like the Miami Formula One Grand Prix and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The complaint raises questions about who paid for the various tickets worth thousands of dollars and whether Suarez complied with ethics laws requiring the mayor to disclose the source of all gifts, including complimentary access, valued over $100. The laws also prohibit elected officials from accepting such gifts from city vendors, lobbyists, or their employers.

Georgia – Trump Won’t Be on Trial in Georgia Case This Fall, but His Presence Will Be Felt

DNyuz – Danny Hakim and Richard Fausset (New York Times) | Published: 10/4/2023

Within weeks, prosecutors will present their case alleging a sprawling conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. But the star defendant, former President Trump, will not be there. Instead, the defendants in the first trial in the racketeering case against Trump and 18 of his allies will be two of the lawyers who tried to keep him in power after the election: Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, who were the only ones to seek speedy trials. The former president will loom over the courtroom, though. That has much to do with how racketeering cases work.

Georgia – First Trump Co-Defendant Pleads Guilty in the Georgia Election Interference Case

NPR – Associated Press | Published: 9/29/2023

A bail bondsman charged alongside former President Trump and 17 others in the Georgia election interference case pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, becoming the first defendant to accept a plea deal with prosecutors. As part of the deal, Scott Graham Hall will receive five years of probation and will testify in further proceedings. He was also ordered to write a letter of apology to the citizens of Georgia and is forbidden from participating in polling activities. Prosecutors accused him of participating in a breach of election equipment in Coffee County.

Hawaii – Former CoreCivic Lobbyist Is Helping to Plan a New Oahu Jail

Honolulu Civil Beat – Kevin Dayton | Published: 10/2/2023

The state executive now tasked with devising a plan to finance a $900 million jail on Oahu worked for years as a registered lobbyist for CoreCivic, which is a prison developer that lobbied for years to try to get the state to move forward with the project. State Budget Director Luis Salaveria was registered as a lobbyist for CoreCivic until the end of last year but said he did not participate in the company’s push to get the state to issue a request for proposals to build the new jail.

Idaho – Idaho Secretary of State’s Office Releases New Campaign Finance, Lobbying Dashboard

KTVB – Abby Davis | Published: 9/28/2023

The November 7 elections are coming up, and election transparency is top of mind for the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office. It released a new campaign finance and lobbying dashboard, which lists all the mayoral and city council candidates. The aim of the dashboard is to give voters a better understanding of candidates. On the new dashboard, people can see how much money those candidates have raised and where it comes from. Previously, the data took a lot of time and effort to look through.

Kansas – Police Chief Resigns Weeks After Leading Raid on Kansas Newspaper Office

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 10/2/2023

The police chief who led the controversial raid of a newspaper office and its publisher’s home in a small Kansas town resigned days after he was suspended. During the raid in Marion, Kansas, officials seized a computer that held details about the Marion County Record’s investigation into Police Chief Gideon Cody. The raid Cody conducted set off a storm of questions from news organizations and their advocates, who viewed it as a major threat to press freedom.

Kansas – Kansas Lawmaker Threatens Wildlife Department Over Deer Baiting; Ethics Concerns Raised

Yahoo News – Dylan Lysen and Celia Llopis-Jepson (Wichita Eagle) | Published: 9/28/2023

A lawmaker threatened to strip funding from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks if it bans people from baiting deer with piles of food. State Rep. Lewis Bloom, a farmer from Clay Center, went as far as to claim the chairperson of the committee that oversees the agency’s budget would help him retaliate by defunding the department. Rep. Ken Corbet, chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee, owns a lodge that offers deer hunting for thousands of dollars per person, raising concerns of a conflict-of-interest.

Massachusetts – Massachusetts Republican Party Settles Campaign Finance Allegations with State, to Pay $15,000

MSN – Matt Stout (Boston Globe) | Published: 9/29/2023

The Massachusetts Republican Party agreed to settle allegations it took $137,000 in “impermissible” donations from a state senator in 2020 and used the money to help the campaign of his wife, according to an agreement the party’s new leader signed with state prosecutors. The GOP will pay $15,000 in three installments under the deal.

Michigan – Feds Charge Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly in Corruption Case

Detroit News – Robert Snell | Published: 10/3/2023

Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly was indicted in federal court, accused of receiving $50,000 in bribes, throwing the November election into disarray as the Wayne County politician becomes the latest public official accused of wrongdoing in a broader assault on corruption in Metro Detroit. Wimberly is accused of demanding cash to facilitate the sale of city-owned property to an unidentified “outside party,” prosecutors said. The person gave Wimberly $5,000 monthly cash bribes until Wimberly demanded more and the person started paying $10,000 each month, according to the indictment.

Michigan – Ex-Michigan House Speaker Sentenced to Prison in Marijuana Bribery Scheme

MLive – Michael Kransz | Published: 9/28/2023

Former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison for accepting bribes as head of a marijuana licensing board. He admitted accepting at least $110,000 when he led the now defunct Medical Marijuana Licensing Board from 2017 to 2019. In exchange, federal prosecutors say Johnson gave bribe payers inside information pertaining to the board’s work and other medical marijuana applicants, as well as support through the licensing process and favorable votes on license applications.

Nevada – Lombardo Files Lawsuit Challenging Ethics Commission Fine, Censure Over Use of Badge

Nevada Independent – Tabitha Mueller | Published: 10/2/2023

Attorneys for Gov. Joe Lombardo appealed the Nevada Commission on Ethics decision to censure and fine the governor for using his Clark County sheriff uniform and badge on the 2022 campaign trail. The appeal makes a new legal argument in the case, challenging the constitutional authority of the commission itself.

New Mexico – Ethics Commission Fines State Treasurer for State Campaign Finance Violation

Santa Fe New Mexican – Robert Knott | Published: 10/4/2023

A State Ethics Commission hearing officer found New Mexico Treasurer Laura Montoya violated campaign finance reporting laws by accepting $10,000 in straw donations. Retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Torgerson imposed a civil penalty of $1,000 on Montoya, saying she failed to treat two $5,000contributions properly.

New York – Trump’s Trial Starts Monday. It Will Spotlight What He’s Really Worth.

DNyuz – Jonah Bromwich, Ben Protess, and William Rashbaum (New York Times) | Published: 10/2/2023

After decades of exaggerating with impunity, Donald Trump is now on trial, facing a lawsuit that accuses him of inflating his riches by billions of dollars and crossing the line into fraud. It will be the first of several government trials he will face in the coming year, a procession of high-stakes courtroom battles that coincide with his third White House run. It will be an avidly scrutinized spectacle that will lift the curtain on Trump’s reputation as a businessperson, a core piece of his identity.

New York – Over 100 Campaigns Requested Public Funds in NY – but a Change Might Weaken Small Donors’ Power

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 10/4/2023

More than 100 candidates have registered for a new state public matching funds program that helps boost small campaign donations, marking a major milestone in New York’s inaugural election cycle. But what the campaigns signed up for may not be what they get if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs a bill passed by the Legislature at the end of session. Proponents of the original program are urging Hochul not to sign the bill. They warn the changes will dilute the power of small-dollar donors and undermine the public matching system’s original intent.

New York – Adams Donor Who Twice Denied Making Campaign Donation Changes Story, Says She Gave $2,000 After All

Yahoo News – Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) | Published: 10/2/2023

A woman who twice denied donating $2,000 to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 campaign, in spite of records that state otherwise, changed her story hours after a news story was published. The New York Daily News reported that law enforcement and election watchdogs have taken an interest in the discrepancy between public records and her initial statements, as well as other donations to Adams.

New York – Judge in Fraud Trial Imposes Gag Order After Trump Attacks Judge’s Aide

Yahoo News – Erica Orden, Josh Gerstein, and Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 10/3/2023

The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial issued a gag order barring Trump from making comments about court staff after the former president posted a social media attack on the judge’s principal law clerk that included her photo. New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron said he had warned Trump “off the record” about making such comments, but Trump had ignored him. “Consider this statement a gag order forbidding all parties from posting, emailing or speaking publicly about any of my staff,” Engoron said.

Tennessee – Rep. Justin Jones Sues House Speaker Cameron Sexton Over Expulsion, Vote to Silence Him

MSN – Melissa Brown (Nashville Tennessean) | Published: 10/4/2023

Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones filed a federal lawsuit challenging his expulsion in April and the House rules restricting lawmakers’ floor comments that Republicans applied to silence Jones for part of the special session. Filed against Speaker Cameron Sexton and House administrative officials, the lawsuit argues Republicans have repeatedly blocked Jones from speaking during debate in violation of free speech rights under the state and federal constitutions. He also contends his due process rights were infringed upon by the expulsion proceedings.

Texas – Eric Dick Fined $10K for Campaign Finance Violations During Failed Run for Harris County Treasurer

MSN – Elizabeth Sander (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 10/3/2023

Harris County Department of Education Trustee Eric Dick faces $40,000 in fines for campaign finance violations after the Texas Ethics Commission recently tacked on another $10,000 penalty. The commission ruled Dick will be required to pay the $10,000 for campaign finance violations that occurred during his unsuccessful campaign for Harris County treasurer in March 2022. He was fined $30,000 in February 2022 for violations made during his unsuccessful 2019 run for city council.

Texas – Lawsuit by Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Accusers Can Continue, Texas Supreme Court Rules

Texas Tribune – Patrick Svitek | Published: 9/29/2023

The Texas Supreme Court sided with former top deputies of state Attorney General Ken Paxton and cleared the way for their whistleblower lawsuit to move forward. The lawsuit will return to a Travis County trial court. Four whistleblowers sued the attorney general’s office for wrongful termination and retaliation after they reported Paxton to the FBI, alleging he abused his office to help a friend and donor. They almost settled with the attorney general’s office for $3.3 million earlier this year until Texas House investigators, concerned about using taxpayer dollars for the settlement, started probing the lawsuit’s claims and recommended Paxton’s impeachment.

Virginia – Youngkin Takes $2M from TikTok Investor Despite App Ban, China Warnings

MSN – Laura Vozzella (Washington Post) | Published: 10/5/2023

Gov. Glenn Youngkin accepted a $2 million political contribution from a donor with a multibillion-dollar stake in TikTok, a Chinese-owned app the governor banned from state devices last year amid his broader campaign against Chinese influence in Virginia. With hefty political donations, Yass has been helping TikTok rally conservatives in Washington, D.C. against banning the app in the U.S., the Wall Street Journal reported.

October 3, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance California: “Judge Gives Bredefeld, Chavez Win in County Campaign Fund Lawsuit” by Edward Smith for GV Wire Elections Georgia: “First Trump Co-Defendant Pleads Guilty in the Georgia Election Interference Case” by Associated Press for NPR Ethics National: “For Supreme Court, Ethics Have Become […]

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