National/Federal

Cassidy Hutchinson’s Testimony Highlights Legal Risks for Trump
Yahoo News – Alan Feuer and Glenn Thrush (New York Times) | Published: 6/29/2022

The extent to which the Justice Department’s expanding criminal inquiry into the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is focused on Donald Trump remains unclear. But the revelations in the testimony to the House select committee by Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide, both provided new evidence about Trump’s activities before the riot and chipped away at any potential defense that he was merely expressing well-founded views about election fraud, legal experts said. A federal judge in a civil suit related to the committee’s work concluded this year that Trump and one of his legal advisers, John Eastman, most likely had committed felonies.

Colorado GOP Rejects Candidates Who Back Trump Election Lie
MSN – Nicholas Riccardi (Associated Press) | Published: 6/29/2022

Colorado Republicans rejected two of the state’s most prominent election deniers, a setback for the movement to install those who echo former President Trump’s lies about mass voter fraud in positions overseeing voting. The twin losses add to mixed record for Trump’s movement. So far, four supporters of his election falsehoods have won Republican primaries for secretary of state. But he has also suffered embarrassing losses. The Colorado decisions came as voters in six other states went to the polls in the first primaries since the Supreme Court revoked the constitutional right of women to obtain abortions.

Democrats Seize on Abortion Ruling in Midterms, as Republicans Tread Carefully
MSN – Annie Linskey and Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) | Published: 6/26/2022

Democrats are seizing on the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, with state and federal candidates seeking to turn anger about the decision into support at the ballot box, even as Republicans aim to keep attention on rising prices and crime. Democrats on the front lines of the fight to keep the party’s congressional majorities have cast their campaigns as key parts of a larger battle to restore abortion rights prevent the rollback of other liberties. Democratic candidates for governor, attorney general, and offices at the state level, where abortion laws will now be determined, pledged to put the issue at the forefront of their campaigns.

Former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry Avoids Prison Time Over Three Felony Convictions
MSN – Chris Marquette (Roll Call) | Published: 6/28/2022

Former U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry was sentenced to two years’ probation for lying to the FBI and concealing information during an investigation into his campaign’s receipt of tens of thousands of dollars in illegal foreign contributions. The sentencing decision went against the prosecution’s request, who asked for Fortenberry to serve six months in federal prison. The judge also said Fortenberry must complete 320 hours of community service and pay a $25,000 fine.

Giuliani Associate Parnas Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison
MSN – Larry Neumeister (Associated Press) | Published: 6/29/2022

Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudy Giuliani who was a figure in former President Trump’s first impeachment investigation, was sentenced to a year and eight months in prison for fraud and campaign finance crimes. Parnas, who had helped Giuliani connect with Ukrainian figures as part of a campaign to dig up dirt on President Biden’s son, had sought leniency on the grounds that he had helped the congressional probe. Prosecutors asked the judge to focus on a jury’s finding that Parnas used the money of a wealthy Russian to make illegal donations to politicians who might aid the launch of a legal recreational-marijuana business.

Home of Jeffrey Clark, Trump DOJ Official, Searched by Federal Agents
MSN – Spencer Hsu, Devlin Barrett, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 6/23/2022

Federal agents conducted a search at the home of former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, who played a key role in then-President Trump’s efforts to get law enforcement officials to challenge Joe Biden’s election victory. Clark’s conduct in late 2020 and early 2021 was also the focus of a hearing by the House committee probing the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters determined to overturn Biden’s victory. Several former senior Justice Department officials testified about a bizarre effort by Clark to volunteer himself and the department as advocates for Trump’s bogus claims of massive voter fraud during the election.

Jan. 6 Committee Subpoenas Former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone
MSN – Jacqueline Alemany and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 6/29/2022

The House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection issued a subpoena to former White House counsel Pat Cipollone after testimony from a former aide identified him as having firsthand knowledge of potential criminal activity in the Trump White House. The decision followed negotiations between Cipollone and the committee, as well as escalating pressure on him in recent days to testify. Committee members have come to believe he former counsel’s testimony could be critical to their investigation, given his proximity to Donald Trump and presence during key moments before, during, and after the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Lawyer Who Advised Trump Says Federal Agents Seized Phone
Yahoo News – Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 6/27/2022

John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who aided former President Trump’s efforts to undo the 2020 election results and who has been repeatedly referenced in House hearings on the assault on the Capitol, said in a court filing that federal agents seized his cell phone. The move underscores federal investigators’ interest in the unsuccessful schemes advanced by Trump advisers to help keep the then-president in power in the period between the November 2020 election and the riot at the Capitol two months later, when Trump loyalists stormed the building to halt the certification of the election results.

Ron Johnson Now Says He Helped Coordinate Effort to Pass False Elector Slates to Pence, but His New Explanation Drew a Quick Rebuke
Yahoo Finance – Molly Beck and Lawrence Andrea (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 6/26/2022

After initially claiming to be “basically unaware” of an effort by his staff to get fake presidential elector documents to Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said he coordinated with a Wisconsin attorney to pass along such information and alleged that U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly brought slates of fake electors to his office, a claim that was immediately disputed. Evidence presented by the House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol showed Johnson’s chief of staff tried to deliver the two states’ lists of fake presidential electors for former President Trump to Pence on the morning of the insurrection but was rebuffed by Pence’s aide.

The Supreme Court Has Chipped Away at the Voting Rights Act for 9 Years. This Case Could Be the Next Blow.
Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro (Politico) | Published: 6/27/2022

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been whittled away over the last decade by the U.S. Supreme Court and a case set to be heard in the fall could shrink the protections offered by the law to the smallest level yet. The court will hear arguments in the fall about Alabama’s redistricting, in a case targeting the other central piece of the Voting Rights Act: Section 2, which prohibits voting practices and procedures that discriminate on the basis of race. The result of the case could make it more difficult for minority communities to claim new election laws are discriminatory and raise the bar for what has to happen to get relief from the courts.

Tucker Carlson Just Inadvertently Helped Raise $14,000 for Abortion Rights
MSN – Steven Zeitchik (Washington Post) | Published: 6/27/2022

Hours after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Tucker Carlson took to the airwaves to rail against companies that would pay for employees’ abortion-travel costs. But as Carlson was offering his commentary, an image from his show was being put to a different use: raising money for groups that facilitate abortion. Online bidders in the digital space known as web3 were offering thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency for a non-fungible token made out of a screen image of Carlson on the show. Jenny Holzer said she will donate the $14,500 she made from the sale to groups including Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Violent Threats to Election Workers Are Common. Prosecutions Are Not.
Yahoo News – Michael Wines and Eliza Fawcett (New York Times) | Published: 6/27/2022

Travis Ford pleaded guilty recently to making a threat with a telecommunications device – a felony that can carry up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 – for threatening Jena Griswold, the secretary of state and chief election official of Colorado, on Instagram. While Attorney General Merrick Garland has established the federal Election Threats Task Force, almost no one else has faced punishment. Two other cases are being prosecuted, but Ford’s guilty plea is the only case the task force has successfully concluded out of more than 1,000 it has evaluated.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Wendy Rogers Refused to Speak to the Senate Ethics Panel About Her ‘Fed Boy Summer’ Tweet
Arizona Mirror – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Published: 6/29/2022

State Sen. Wendy Rogers refused to meet with the attorney for the Arizona Senate Ethics Committee, but her lawyer said in a letter to the panel that her tweet dismissing the racially motivated Buffalo grocery store mass shooting was a reference to a 2019 hip hop song and not a nod to white supremacist online culture. The Senate launched an investigation into Rogers for alluding on social media that the shooting in Buffalo was the work of federal law enforcement instead of the white supremacist accused of carrying out the attack.

California – Downtown Real Estate Developer Found Guilty in Jose Huizar Bribery Case
Yahoo News – David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 6/27/2022

Five years ago, real estate developer Dae Yong Lee had a big problem. A labor group with political connections had filed a challenge against his plan for a 20-story tower in downtown Los Angeles. A jury found Lee guilty of paying a $500,000 bribe to ensure city council member Jose Huizar would shepherd his project through the city’s planning process. Lee’s company was also found guilty. It had sought city approval for the residential tower. The verdicts delivered a critical victory to federal prosecutors in the first of three trials encompassing the sprawling corruption case against Huizar.

California – Santa Ana Moves to Increase Transparency with Lobbyist Registration Law
Los Angeles Times – Ben Brazil | Published: 6/23/2022

As Anaheim grapples with a corruption scandal, officials from nearby Santa Ana moved forward with a plan to encourage greater transparency by tracking paid lobbyists. The city council gave initial approval to an ordinance that requires lobbyists to register with the city or face penalties. Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento said while the lobbyist disclosure law is a step in the right direction, the city needs to do more to prevent the kind of corruption uncovered in Anaheim.

Connecticut – As a New Field of Candidates Lines Up for CT Taxpayer-Funded Campaign Grants, a Long-Ignored Elections Complaint Causes Concern About Landmark Reforms
MSN – Edmund Mahoney (Hartford Courant) | Published: 6/27/2022

Former Connecticut Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. was accused in 2014 of breaking a promise to limit his campaign spending to a grant of about $90,000 from the Citizens’ Election Program. Records show his campaign benefitted from almost four times that much because of an amendment to the law. Kennedy and his backers claim it permitted the Democratic State Central Committee to cover “organizational expenditures.” The case has languished in part because of legal disagreements over whether the amendment really does permit campaigns to spend in excess of the public financing caps on “organizational expenditures” with money donated by political committees.

Florida – ‘Unsettling,’ ‘Un-American’: FPL consultant obtained personal information, surveillance photo of journalist Nate Monroe
Yahoo News – David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 6/24/2022

Florida Times-Union columnist Mate Monroe was under surveillance by Matrix, a consulting firm that worked for Florida Power & Light (FPL) during the attempted sale of JEA, the community-owned utility in Jacksonville. The then-chief executive officer of Matrix emailed a background report on Monroe’s personal life to FPL’s vice president of state legislative affairs. Monroe frequently broke news on the potential sale of JEA and wrote columns critical of the sales process. FPL has called the reporting “conspiracy-laden” as it relates to the utility’s bid for JEA.

Hawaii – Permitting Worker Who Took Bribes for a Decade Gets Prison Time
Honolulu Civil Beat – Christina Jedra | Published: 6/27/2022

A veteran of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) will go to prison for two-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to accepting over $63,000 in bribes over the course of a decade. Jennie Javonillo accepted cash from at least 10 individuals and companies who received expedited processing for their projects, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael David Nammar. The former building plans examiner perpetuated a “pay-to-play” culture at DPP in which people who offered bribes got their projects approved in “record time,” while construction stalled for those who refused to pay, Nammar said.

Hawaii – Tougher Campaign Finance Laws Top Standards Commission Agenda
Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 6/30/2022

A commission to enhance government transparency in Hawaii is weighing a handful of measures aimed at tightening campaign finance laws and reducing the influence of money in politics in a year where several political donors made headlines for alleged bribery. The recent cases led to the creation of the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct, which plans to come back to the Legislature with proposals on government ethics, elections, and more. The agency in charge of overseeing state campaign finance laws came before the new commission with ideas for eliminating “pay-to-play” schemes.

Idaho – Lobbying or Campaigning? Idaho Political Organizations Did Both Before Primary Election
Idaho Capital Sun – Kelcie Moseley-Morris | Published: 6/27/2022

Online ads that attacked Idaho lawmakers were prominent during the last legislative session. They were paid for by Idaho Freedom Action, the 501(c)(4) arm of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. Until mid-April, Idaho Freedom Action reported all its activities related to the session as lobbying for specific bills. Between January and March, the group reported buying Facebook ads that totaled $35,708. Although the ads focus on specific lawmakers, Deputy Secretary of State Chad Houck said if they do not include words to encourage someone to “vote for” or “vote against” that legislator, it is not a reportable independent campaign expenditure.

Illinois – GOP Lawmaker Calls Roe Ruling ‘Victory for White Life’ as Trump Rally Cheers
MSN – Jennifer Hassan (Washington Post) | Published: 6/26/2022

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller called the Supreme Court’s decision to Roe v. Wade a “victory for white life,” which was met with cheers at a rally held by former President Trump. Miller’s spokesperson, Isaiah Wartman, said she misread her prepared speech and was supposed to declare the divisive court ruling a victory for the “right to life.” Last year, Miller was forced to apologize after quoting Adolf Hitler at a “Moms for America” event in Washington, D.C.

Illinois – Negotiations Underway on Stalled Ethics Reform Package, Lightfoot Says
WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 6/23/2022

An effort to overhaul Chicago’s ethics rules designed to finally put an end to the corruption at City Hall will remain stalled for at least another month, even as Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she has begun negotiating with Ald. Michele Smith. But Lightfoot declined to endorse Smith’s proposal, or detail how the proposal should be changed. Lightfoot and Smith met after Chicago Board of Ethics Chairperson William Conlon said the package of reforms, which has been stalled since April without Lightfoot’s backing, should be “swiftly” passed by the city council and signed into law.

Louisiana – Supreme Court Frees Louisiana to Use Congressional Map Drawn by GOP
MSN – Robert Barnes (Washington Post) | Published: 6/28/2022

The U.S. Supreme Court cleared Louisiana to use a Republican-drawn congressional map this fall that a lower court judge said likely diminishes the electoral power of the state’s Black voters. The justices agreed with a request by Louisiana’s Republican secretary of state to put on hold U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick’s order that the state create a second district where African Americans would have the opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice. An appeals court backed the district court’s decision, but the state Legislature refused to redraw the map.

Maryland – Former Hogan Chief of Staff Charged with Additional Count in Corruption Case
MSN – Sam Janesch (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 6/29/2022

A former chief of staff to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is facing an additional charge in a two-year-old public corruption case that alleges he collected excessive expenses and arranged for an unprecedented $233,647 severance payment during his time in office. The new federal wire fraud charge against Roy McGrath relates to a memo that outlined the severance payment and included Hogan’s approval but that federal officials say McGrath fabricated.

Maryland – Nick Mosby’s Tab for Ocean City Conference in August Is Twice as Much as Baltimore City Council Colleagues’
Yahoo News – Jeff Barker (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 6/29/2022

The Baltimore City Board of Estimates approved travel expenses – including three hotel nights – averaging $1,394 total for each of four city council members to attend the Maryland Association of Counties annual conference in Ocean City in mid-August. It approved similar expenses for the Council President Nick Mosby. But his bill was twice as much: $3,008. The board approved the requests of Mosby and the other council members without dissent.

Michigan – Supreme Court: Flint water indictments against Rick Snyder, others invalid
Bridge Michigan – Kelly House and Jonathan Oosting | Published: 6/28/2022

A one-judge grand jury had no power to issue indictments stemming from the Flint water crisis, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled. The decision is likely to erase criminal charges against former Gov. Rick Snyder and several other former public officials and raises questions about future prosecutions. The Flint crisis was triggered by a drinking water source switch, executed while a state-appointed emergency manager ran the city. The decision caused lead contamination that coincided with two outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease and 12 deaths. Snyder was charged with two misdemeanors for willful neglect of duty.

Missouri – Page’s Chief of Staff Resigns After Councilman Asks for Probe of Leaked Sex Video
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Nassim Benchaabane and Joe Holleman | Published: 6/29/2022

Cal Harris, chief of staff for St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, resigned abruptly, a week after county council member Mark Harder asked law enforcement officers to investigate a video of a county employee engaged in a sexual act at the county building. Harder said he received an anonymous video of a male county employee in a sexual act with a woman. The employee, whom Harder did not name, could be identified in the video because he was wearing a county ID badge with his name. A source who had seen the video said Harris’ name on the ID badge could be made out.

New Jersey – Bill to Increase N.J. Campaign Contributions and Gut Local Pay-to-Play Rules Falls Off Fast Track
MSN – Matt Arco (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 6/29/2022

A bill that was getting fast-tracked through the New Jersey Legislature that seeks to double many contribution limits for elections and remove many “pay-to-play” restrictions in the state has stalled. The bill was pulled from consideration in both the Senate and Assembly as lawmakers gathered for a busy voting session before summer break. It was not immediately clear what prompted legislative leaders to pull the Elections Transparency Act after it sailed through committee hearings with bipartisan support in recent days.

New Mexico – NM Department Heads, Others Didn’t Disclose Financial Info
Yahoo News – Dan McKay (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 6/26/2022

Four Cabinet secretaries, a university chancellor, and New Mexico’s chief public defender failed to disclose their income sources and business interests earlier this year as required by state law. The group of non-filers also included the game and fish director, the chief clerk of the Senate, and more than 100 appointees to state boards and commissions. In New Mexico, elected officials, the leaders of state agencies, and certain other appointees are required to file annual disclosures listing their income sources, real estate holdings, and business interests – both for themselves and their spouses – as a condition of employment.

New York – Judge Says NYC Can’t Let Noncitizens Vote in City Elections
NBC News – Associated Press | Published: 6/27/2022

New York City cannot let noncitizens vote for mayor and other city officials, a judge ruled, siding with Republicans who challenged the measure as unconstitutional. In January, New York became the first major American city to grant widespread municipal voting rights to noncitizens, though none had cast ballots yet. The law did not affect presidential, congressional, or state elections. The law’s supporters said it gave an electoral voice to many people who have made a home in the city and pay taxes to it but face tough paths to citizenship.

New York – New York’s Troubled Ethics Panel Holds Final Meeting
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 6/28/2022

After 11 tumultuous years, New York’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) conducted its final meeting. On July 8, the commission will cease to exist. The Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul agreed in the budget passed in April to replace it with a new oversight body, the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. JCOPE was long dogged by accusations its commissioners were too close to the lawmakers who appointed them. The panel’s 14 commissioners were appointed by top state lawmakers, with the governor appointing six.

New York – Suffolk County Has Repealed Its Public Campaign Finance Program
WSHU – J.D. Allen | Published: 6/23/2022

Suffolk County has effectively ended its public campaign finance program. Outside of New York City, Suffolk County was the largest county in the state to establish a public campaign finance program. It did not survive a year in operation, without supporting a single campaign, before Republicans took away its funding. County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey said public money is better spent on taxpayers, not candidates. “There is a more immediate need than for campaign finance, and we think that this money could be better spent in other ways,” McCaffrey said.

North Carolina – One of NC’s Biggest Political Donors, in Prison for Bribery, Wins New Trial
MSN – Will Doran (Charlotte Observer) | Published: 6/29/2022

A billionaire who had been convicted of attempting to bribe a top state official with the help of the North Carolina Republican Party was not given a fair trial, a federal appeals court ruled. Greg Lindberg was briefly North Carolina’s biggest political donor before his arrest. He is now two years into a seven-year prison sentence but will get a new trial, along with his employee John Gray, who had been sentenced to 30 months in prison as part of the same scandal.

North Dakota – North Dakota Lawmakers Ponder Improvements to Harassment Policy After Rep’s Expulsion
Bismarck Tribune – Jack Dura | Published: 6/27/2022

North Dakota legislative leaders see more training for themselves on how to handle complaints as a way to improve the Legislature’s workplace harassment policy after a lawmaker’s expulsion last year. A panel of leaders met to review the policy, nearly 16 months after the Republican-led House expelled then-Rep. Luke Simons for workplace and sexual harassment of women at the Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner said the panel will wait until September to vote on potential changes to the policy that was adopted in 2018 amid the #MeToo movement but has never been used. The Legislature convenes in January.

Ohio – Ohio Supreme Court Declines to Hold Ohio Redistricting Commission in Contempt for Failure to Pass Constitutional Legislative Districts
MSN – Seth Richardson (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 6/29/2022

The state Supreme Court announced it would not hold members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission in contempt after Republicans on the commission missed a May deadline to produce new state legislative maps. The ruling likely brings an end to the redistricting saga for now. Districts are already in place for the August 2 special legislative election and Republicans on the commission have refused to reconvene.

Oklahoma – Clean Up Oklahoma Criticized for Not Disclosing Source of Funding
Enid News & Eagle – Janelle Stecklein (CNHI Oklahoma) | Published: 6/27/2022

Armed with mops and buckets and their trademark “Clean It Up Truck,” members of Clean Up Oklahoma admit they make a bit of spectacle as they travel across the state bringing attention to their anti-corruption platform. Their “Anti-Corruption Pledge” requires candidates to promise, among other things, to clean up elections by getting “big money out of politics” and requires officials to be transparent with things such as their tax returns, conflicts-of-interest, and gifts. But Clean Up Oklahoma, which reports spending $30,400 on electioneering efforts since June 9, is not disclosing any of its donors.

Oklahoma – Epic Charter Schools Co-Founders Made Political Donations with State Dollars, OSBI Says
The Oklahoman – Nuria Martinez-Kee | Published: 6/25/2022

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation arrested Epic Charter Schools co-founders Ben Harris and David Chaney, along with the group’s chief financial officer, Josh Brock. Investigators allege Harris, Chaney, and Brock illegally pocketed millions of taxpayer dollars, submitted false financial reports to the state, and spent money intended for Epic students on political donations and personal expenses.

Rhode Island – Officer Running for State Senate Drops Out After Punching Opponent
MSN – Timothy Bella and James Bikales (Washington Post) | Published: 6/25/2022

A Providence police officer who was running for state office as a Republican dropped out of the race amid a criminal investigation for allegedly punching his Democratic opponent in the face during a protest. Rhode Island Political Cooperative Chairperson Jennifer Rourke was among those who spoke outside the statehouse following the Supreme Court’s decision to end the right to abortion. As tensions escalated among protesters and counter-protesters, video posted to social media shows people exchanging punches in a chaotic scene. During the fighting, a man who Rourke says is officer Jeann Lugo is seen punching her in the face.

Texas – As They Target South Texas, Republicans Say One Democratic County Isn’t Maintaining Campaign Finance Records
Texas Tribune – Patrick Svitek | Published: 6/28/2022

Republicans are trying to make new inroads in South Texas this election season. The increased attention has spotlighted a concerning issue, according to one GOP group: a lack of publicly available campaign finance reports in Starr County documenting donations and spending for its local elections. Under state law, counties are required to maintain such reports for candidates for local office, including races for county judge, county commissioner, and justice of the peace. But that is apparently not happening in Starr, one of the four counties that make up the Rio Grande Valley, according to a recently filed ethics complaint.

Wisconsin – Scott Walker-Appointed Natural Resources Board Member Frederick Prehn Can Remain Past His Term, Supreme Court Rules
Yahoo News – Laura Schulte (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 6/28/2022

Frederick Prehn can remain on the state’s Natural Resources Board beyond the expiration of his term, under a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling.  The decision allows Prehn to remain as a voting member of the board, which sets policy for the Department of Natural Resources, until the state Senate holds a hearing for his replacement. The ruling all but ensures that Republicans who control the Senate will continue to avoid confirming large slates of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointees to key cabinet positions and other state positions.

On October 14, 2022, penalties and sanctions for the Regional Municipality of Niagara’s new lobbying law come into force and effect. In the meantime, and although the Regional Council approved the Lobbyist Registry By-law 2022-24 to establish a Lobbyist Registry on April 14,  there is a six-month educational period where penalties and sanctions will not be applied.

The new law applies to lobbying public office holders, which it defines as members of the Regional Council, officers or employees of the Council, members of local boards and committees established by the Council, and any accountability officer, including the Integrity Commissioner, the Lobbyist Registrar, an Ombudsman, and Closed Meeting Investigators. The new legislation also applies when lobbying Individuals under contract with the Region who are providing consulting or other advisory services to the Region related to matters with budgetary or operational impacts during the term of their contract.

In the law, lobbying means any communication with a public office holder by an individual who is paid or who represents a business or financial interest with the goal of trying to influence any legislative action including development, introduction, passage, defeat, amendment or repeal of a by-law, motion, resolution or the outcome of a decision on any matter before the Council, a committee of Council, or a staff member acting under delegated authority.

Registration is required electronically within five days of lobbying occurring. Lobbyist must update their registrations by filing a return if there are any changes or additions to the registration. If Lobbying continues for more than one year, a lobbyist must file a new registration for each year the lobbying continues. There are three types of lobbyists requiring registration: consultant lobbyists, in-house lobbyists, and voluntary unpaid lobbyists who lobby without payment on behalf of an individual, business, or any for-profit entity for the benefit of the interests of the individual, business, or for-profit entity.

Lobbyists also have to abide by a Code of Conduct, which is part of the new law.

Submitting a bid proposal as part of the procurement process and any communication with designated employees of the Region as permitted in the procurement policies and procurement documents of the Region does not require registration as a lobbyist. Former public office holders are prohibited from engaging in lobbying activities for 12 months after leaving their position. Once enforcement of penalties begins in October, lobbyists can be prohibited from lobbying for different time periods. Criminal activity will be referred to appropriate authorities.

The Regional Municipality of Niagara, also colloquially known as the Niagara Region or Region of Niagara, is composed of 12 municipalities falling under its jurisdiction, including Niagara Falls.

Santa Ana city council unanimously passed the first reading of a new lobbyist registration ordinance, outlining who must register, when reports are required, and the penalties for failing to follow the rules laid out in the ordinance.

The ordinance defines a lobbyist as any individual, business entity or organization, including a non-profit organization, that receives or becomes entitled to receive five hundred dollars or more in consideration in a month to lobby.

Once an individual becomes a lobbyist, they are required to register with the city clerk within 15 days.

If the ordinance follows the typical path to become law, the bill will need to be voted on two more times before it officially passes.

The cap for how much Louisiana’s lobbyists can spend to wine and dine public officials is edging higher July 1.

With the start of the new state budget year, the limit lobbyists can spend on food and drink for state lawmakers, other elected officials and public employees is increasing from $65 to $70 per person, per occasion.

The Louisiana Board of Ethics, which oversees the lobbying spending restrictions, made the adjustment to take effect with the latest state fiscal year.

The lobbying cap enacted more than a decade ago started with a $50 limit.

But the 2008 law allows annual adjustments tied to increases in the federal Consumer Price Index for food and beverages.

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “As a New Field of Candidates Lines Up for CT Taxpayer-Funded Campaign Grants, a Long-Ignored Elections Complaint Causes Concern About Landmark Reforms” by Edmund Mahoney (Hartford Courant) for MSN

Elections

National: “Violent Threats to Election Workers Are Common. Prosecutions Are Not.” by Michael Wines and Eliza Fawcett (New York Times) for Yahoo News

National: “The Supreme Court Has Chipped Away at the Voting Rights Act for 9 Years. This Case Could Be the Next Blow.” by Zach Montellaro (Politico) for Yahoo News

National: “Ron Johnson Now Says He Helped Coordinate Effort to Pass False Elector Slates to Pence, but His New Explanation Drew a Quick Rebuke” by Molly Beck and Lawrence Andrea (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) for Yahoo Finance

Ethics

Florida: “‘Unsettling,’ ‘Un-American’: FPL consultant obtained personal information, surveillance photo of journalist Nate Monroe” by David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) for Yahoo News

Illinois: “GOP Lawmaker Calls Roe Ruling ‘Victory for White Life’ as Trump Rally Cheers” by Jennifer Hassan (Washington Post) for MSN

New Mexico: “NM Department Heads, Others Didn’t Disclose Financial Info” by Dan McKay (Albuquerque Journal) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

Idaho: “Lobbying or Campaigning? Idaho Political Organizations Did Both Before Primary Election” by Kelcie Moseley-Morris for Idaho Capital Sun

Campaign Finance

New Jersey: “Campaign Finance Reform Bill Would Double Donor Limits” by Nikita Biryukov for New Jersey Monitor

New York: “Suffolk County Has Repealed Its Public Campaign Finance Program” by J.D. Allen for WSHU

Oklahoma: “Epic Charter Schools Co-Founders Made Political Donations with State Dollars, OSBI Says” by Nuria Martinez-Kee for The Oklahoman

Elections

National: “Democrats Seize on Abortion Ruling in Midterms, as Republicans Tread Carefully” by Annie Linskey and Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) for MSN

Rhode Island: “Officer Running for State Senate Drops Out After Punching Opponent” by Timothy Bella and James Bikales (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Home of Jeffrey Clark, Trump DOJ Official, Searched by Federal Agents” by Spencer Hsu, Devlin Barrett, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “Negotiations Underway on Stalled Ethics Reform Package, Lightfoot Says” by Heather Cherone for WTTW

Lobbying

California: “Santa Ana Moves to Increase Transparency with Lobbyist Registration Law” by Ben Brazil for Los Angeles Times

National/Federal

2022 Primary Results: Alabama Senate runoff, D.C. and Virginia primaries
CBS News – Fin Gómez and Aaron Navarro | Published: 6/21/2022

Virginia and the District of Columbia held primaries on June 21 and Georgia also held runoff elections, but perhaps the most closely watched race was the Alabama Republican U.S. Senate runoff for retiring Sen. Richard Shelby’s seat, which pitted U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks against Katie Britt, Shelby’s former chief of staff. The two candidates shared the unusual distinction having both had, at one point, the sought-after endorsement of former President Trump. Brooks, who was a longtime Trump ally, won his first endorsement, but Trump withdrew it just before the primary election on May 24, when polls showed Brooks sliding in the polls.

American Influence Has a New Address on State Street
Yahoo News – Hailey Fuchs (Politico) | Published: 6/22/2022

According to a new report from OpenSecrets, total spending on state lobbying increased across 19 states from which it has collected data dating back to 2015. Interest groups spent a record $1.8 billion on state lobbying in 2021. As partisan divides ensnare congressional lawmakers in stalemates, many lobbying firms find it faster to take their efforts to governors and state Legislatures. State leaders have become as influential as they have ever been and are now shaping the national conversation on issues as diverse as energy policy and abortion rights.

Caught in the Culture Wars, Teachers Are Being Forced from Their Jobs
MSN – Hannah Natanson and Moriah Balingit (Washington Post) | Published: 6/16/2022

More than 160 educators were either fired or resigned their jobs in the past two academic years due to the culture wars that are roiling many of the nation’s schools, according to a Washington Post analysis. On average, slightly more than two teachers lost their jobs for every week that school remained in session. The teachers included in the analysis all lost their employment when hot-button cultural, racial, political, or pandemic issues intersected with their ability to teach, either because the teacher sought to address controversial topics in the classroom or administrators took issue with the teacher’s views as expressed inside or outside the classroom.

‘First-Degree Puppetry’: Stephen Colbert defends ‘Late Show’ staffers after arrest at Capitol
Yahoo News – Naledi Ushe (USA Today) | Published: 6/21/2022

Stephen Colbert addressed the arrest of his production crew by U.S. Capitol Police and joked they were guilty of “puppetry in the first degree.” Seven members of the “Late Night” team were arrested in the Longworth House Office Building and charged with unlawful entry. CBS said the crew was recording a segment featuring Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and had filmed authorized and pre-arranged interviews with members of Congress. Colbert called it “shameful and grotesque” that his staff’s behavior had been compared in the media to the insurrection on January 6, 2021.

GOP Spends Millions on Election Volunteers to Search for Fraud
MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 6/15/2022

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is spending millions of dollars this year in 16 critical states on an unprecedented push to recruit thousands of poll workers and watchers, adding firepower to a growing effort on the right to find election irregularities that could be used to challenge results. The RNC was until recently barred from bringing its substantial resources to bear on field operations at polling sites because of a decades-old court order. Now, the party apparatus is mobilizing volunteers to scrutinize voting locations for suspected fraud.

Jan. 6 Committee Reveals New Details About Pence’s Terrifying Day
MSN – Rosalind Helderman and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 6/16/2022

The House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol disclosed new details of Mike Pence’s terrifying day on January 6, 2021, as it sought to explain how easily democracy could have fallen if the then-vice president had not resisted an unrelenting campaign from Trump to ignore legal advisers and his own conscience and use his role to give Trump a second term. Pence announced he did not believe the Constitution allowed him to follow Trump’s wishes. The committee demonstrated the crowd’s immediate reaction using video clips of rioters taken that day.

Justice Dept. Expands Jan. 6 Probe with Fresh Subpoenas
MSN – Spencer Hsu, Josh Dawsey, and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 6/22/2022

The Justice Department’s investigation of the attack on the U.S. Capitol ratcheted up as federal agents issued subpoenas on people in at least two states, in what appeared to be a widening probe of how political activists supporting then-President Trump tried to use invalid electors to thwart Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. FBI officials confirmed that agents conducted court authorized law enforcement activity at the address of Brad Carver, a Georgia lawyer who allegedly signed a document claiming to be a Trump elector, and another the home of Thomas Lane, who worked on the Trump campaign’s efforts in Arizona and New Mexico.

Liberal Groups Devote Millions to Blocking GOP Election Deniers
MSN – Michael Scherer (Washington Post) | Published: 6/22/2022

Pouring liberal donors’ money into the midterms to elect Democrats is hardly novel. What is different about a new strategy is a large portion of the 2022 efforts are aimed at 2024 –attempting to block Republican 2020 election deniers from gaining power and potentially upending valid results in a presidential election year. LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, one of the nation’s top political donors, gathered more than a dozen billionaires or their representatives over Zoom to sound an alarm about the coming elections. “MAGA leaders intend to use 2022 midterm wins to install Trump in 2024 regardless of the vote,” read a slide of the PowerPoint Hoffman presented to the group.

Sen. Ron Johnson Under Fire Over Fake-Electors Disclosure at Hearing
MSN – Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) | Published: 6/22/2022

The House committee investigating January 6 Capitol riot revealed that U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson’s chief of staff tried to deliver to Vice President Mike Pence a slate of fake electors backing then-president Trump, raising questions about Johnson’s role in a deliberate and coordinated plan to block Joe Biden’s win and give Trump the presidency. The disclosure also underscores the extent of Johnson’s role as one of Congress’s most prominent election deniers and January 6 apologists.

Supreme Court Justices Don’t Have a Code of Ethics. Hundreds of Judges Say That’s a Problem
Yahoo – Tami Abdollah (USA Today) | Published: 6/22/2022

Hundreds of judges said U.S. Supreme Court justices should be bound by a code of ethics, and many said they were shocked to find out that was not already the case. The National Judicial College surveyed judges across the nation on whether the Supreme Court should be held to a higher standard. The survey came amid a contentious and high-profile calendar that has involved questions of bias, as well as investigations into Justice Clarence Thomas’ family ties to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Trump’s Pressure Drew Violence, Threats to Local Officials, Committee Shows
Anchorage Daily News – Rosalind Helderman and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 6/21/2022

In the weeks after the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump engaged in an unrelenting campaign targeting state and local officials – many of them fellow Republicans – riling up his supporters and putting in physical danger officials who refused to help overturn his election loss, according to the House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol. At its fourth public hearing, the committee laid out how menace and violence trailed Trump’s election falsehoods, afflicting everyone who resisted, from high-level elected officials to ordinary election workers.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Campaign Finance Regulators Withdraw $56,600 Fine Levied Against Anchorage Rep. Tuck
Yahoo News – Nathaniel Herz (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 6/18/2022

The Alaska Public Offices Commission withdrew a $56,500 fine it had imposed on state Rep. Chris Tuck, saying he showed the 2020 campaign contribution the agency alleged was late reported past the deadline was actually made outside of a required reporting window. Tuck has announced he was not seeking reelection.

California – Anaheim City Council Deadlocks on Campaign Finance Reform Following FBI Corruption Probe
Voice of OC – Spencer Custodio | Published: 6/22/2022

Anaheim City Council members deadlocked on a campaign finance reform proposal to lessen special interests’ influence on policy decisions, which has come under intense scrutiny since revelations of an FBI corruption probe into City Hall. The ordinance would have required a 72-hour reporting window for all campaign contributions of $250 or more, along with mandatory recusal periods for council members. Residents have been calling for the council to limit the influence that special interests like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, the Los Angeles Angels, and Disney-funded PACs have on City Hall. Many of those same interest groups funded a majority of the council members’ election campaigns.

California – Court Says California Utilities Commission Must Obey State Public Records Act
MSN – Seth Rosenfeld (San Francisco Public Press) | Published: 6/20/2022

An appeals court ruled the California Public Utilities Commission must comply with a state law requiring all agencies to promptly release information to the public. A three-judge panel of the First District Court of Appeal said the commission’s lengthy and open-ended administrative procedures violate the strict timelines of the state’s Public Records Act. The ruling could bring more accountability to the commission, which has faced criticism of excessive secrecy and ineffectiveness. It regulates corporations ranging from utilities to ride-hailing services.

California – State Attorney General Bonta Gives Mark Ridley-Thomas Backers a Chance to Fight His Removal from LA City Council
Los Angeles Daly News – Elizabeth Chou | Published: 6/22/2022

The state attorney general gave plaintiffs the go-ahead to challenge the Los Angeles City Council’s decision to appoint former council member Herb Wesson to a seat vacated by Councilperson Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was suspended by his colleagues after being indicted on federal corruption charges. The plaintiffs’ attorneys contend Wesson is ineligible to be a temporary replacement because the appointment violates city charter rules for term limits and appointments to vacant seats. They had also challenged the suspension of Ridley-Thomas by the city council and sought his reinstatement.

Colorado – Colorado Guilty Plea a First for US Election Task Force
Yahoo News – Associated Press | Published: 6/20/2022

A Nebraska man pleaded guilty to making death threats against Colorado’s top elections official in a what officials say is the first such plea obtained by a federal task force devoted to protecting elections workers across the U.S. who have been subject to increasing threats since the 2020 presidential election. Travis Ford admitted sending threats to Secretary of State Jena Griswold on social media. Griswold is a national advocate for elections security who has received thousands of threats over her insistence that the 2020 election was secure and that former President Trump’s claims it was stolen from him are false.

Connecticut – It’s Official: CT candidates can start spending campaign money on child care
CT Insider – Julia Bergman | Published: 6/19/2022

Candidates for elected office in Connecticut can now spend public campaign money on childcare while they are campaigning. The new election rule was finalized recently and follows a years-long fight by a Fairfield mother and former state House candidate that gained national attention. When she first ran for office in 2018, Caitlin Clarkson Pereira often had her daughter, Parker, who was three years old at the time, in tow

Florida – Federal Judge Blows Up Florida’s Law Limiting Contributions for Ballot Initiatives
MSN – Jim Saunders (News Service of Florida) | Published: 6/16/2022

A federal judge struck down a Florida law limiting contributions to people or political committees championing ballot initiatives, ruling it violates the First Amendment. U.S. District Court Judge Allen Winsor issued a permanent injunction against the law that limited such donations to $3,000. The Florida Elections Commission had argued the law limited the potential for fraud and corruption. “But those concerns don’t legally justify the restriction at issue,” Winsor said.

Florida – Former Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Andrew Gillum Indicted on Federal Charges
Politico – Matt Dixon and Arek Sarkissian | Published: 6/22/2022

Andrew Gillum, a former Tallahassee mayor who was the Democratic nominee for Florida governor in 2018, was indicted on charges he illegally solicited campaign contributions between 2016 and 2019 and promised political favors in return for the financial support. The indictment outlines a series of interactions with two undercover FBI agents who posed as developers seeking contracts in Tallahassee. Gillum’s adviser, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, also faces 19 counts, including allegations that some of those contributions were funneled to a separate company she operates.

Hawaii – Hu Honua Lobbyist Hosted Fundraiser for Senators Who Were Key to Energy Bill
Honolulu Civil Beat – Stewart Yerton and Chad Blair | Published: 6/20/2022

As far as the public could tell from official disclosures, a recent campaign fundraiser was paid for by the candidate committees of four Hawaii senators: Donovan Dela Cruz, Glenn Wakai, Michelle Kidani, and Bennette Misalucha. But undisclosed in public filings required for such events was a behind-the-scenes host: Joanne Hamm, an energy industry lobbyist. Hamm’s client Hu Honua Bioenergy had just scored big wins in the state Legislature, thanks in part to Wakai and Misalucha, who are the chair and vice chair of the Energy, Economic Development and Tourism Committee; and Kidani and Dela Cruz, who sit on the Ways and Means Committee, which Dela Cruz chairs.

Illinois – Ex-State Sen. Thomas Cullerton Sentenced to a Year in Federal Prison in Ghost Payrolling Case
MSN – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 6/21/2022

Former Illinois Sen. Thomas Cullerton was sentenced to a year in prison for pocketing more than $250,000 in salary and benefits from the Teamsters union despite doing little or no work. In rejecting a defense request for probation, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Gettleman said people are tired of the “depressing” amount of public corruption and he had to send a message to other elected officials that breaching the public trust will not be tolerated. Former Teamsters boss John Coli Sr. said he hired Cullerton to his do-nothing position “as a favor to Senator A.” The two ignored complaints from supervisors when Cullerton failed to even show up for work.

Maine – Paul LePage’s Campaign Fined $3K for Late Finance Report
Bangor Daily News – Caitlin Andrews | Published: 6/22/2022

Maine’s ethics commission hit former Gov. Paul LePage’s 2022 campaign with a $3,000 fine on for filing a campaign finance report a few hours late. The total amount of money raised had been released to the media on May 3, but campaign staffer Joe Turcotte said he had fallen asleep due to illness while submitting the report. He did not wake up until four a.m. the next day to finish filing the report, which was after the deadline.

Maryland – Judge’s Donation to Baltimore State’s Attorney Candidate Thiru Vignarajah Raises Ethical Questions
MSN – Lee Sanderlin (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 6/17/2022

Maryland District Court Judge Flynn Owens is listed as having donated $100 to Thiru Vignarajah’s campaign for Baltimore State’s Attorney. Owens’ listed employer and occupation, a requirement for donors, is “State of MD” and “Legal.” It is a violation of the state’s Judicial Code of Conduct for any sitting judge to make a political contribution to any candidate, let alone a someone running for a political office that the judge is involved with. As a District Court judge overseeing Baltimore, Owens oversees cases brought by the state’s attorney’s office.

Massachusetts – Mass. High Court to Hear Arguments in DiMasi Lobbying Case
MSN – Matt Stout (Boston Globe) | Published: 6/21/2022

The Supreme Judicial Court will take up a lobbying case involving former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi. At issue is whether those found guilty of federal corruption charges should be barred from lobbying state lawmakers, the governor, and other officials for 10 years after their conviction, even if their crimes are not directly cited in the state law. While DiMasi is at the center of the case, he will not be impacted by any ruling as the 10-year ban on him expired in 2021. The court reasoned the legal issue at the case’s core is still of “great public importance and is likely to recur.”

Massachusetts – MassHealth Director Fined $6,000 for Receiving Free Red Sox Tickets
Boston.com – Susannah Sudborough | Published: 6/16/2022

A former MassHealth official paid a $6,000 penalty for breaking the state’s conflict-of-interest law by receiving free Boston Red Sox tickets from the contractor administering the agency’s dental program. Stacia Castro, while serving as director of the MassHealth Specialty Provider Network, asked DentaQuest’s regional director if the company had access to the Red Sox tickets. It then gave Castro four free tickets valued at $120 apiece, a tour of Fenway Park, and a $500 voucher for dinner at Fenway Park’s EMC Club.

Michigan – How One Firm in a ‘Wild West’ Industry Upended the Michigan GOP Governor Race
Bridge Michigan – Yue Stella Yu, Mike Wilkinson, and Joel Kurth | Published: 6/16/2022

Some say signature gathering for candidates to qualify for the ballot is the “Wild West” side of politics. A now-inactive website for the signature-gathering firm First Choice Contracting claimed it was “your best chance at getting on the ballot.” Instead, it was anything but. Fraudulent signatures disqualified five of 10 Republican gubernatorial candidates in Michigan from the race, and a Bridge Michigan investigation found First Choice Contracting worked for all five campaigns. Elections officials have submitted their findings of fraud to state Attorney General Dana Nessel for a criminal investigation.

Missouri – Eric Greitens Ad Touts ‘Hunting Permit’ for GOP Rivals in Missouri U.S Senate Race
Missouri Independent – Rudi Keller | Published: 6/20/2022

In a video of a fake no-knock home raid, former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens ––flanked by extras in body armor, using flash grenades and carrying firearms – promoted a fundraising program offering a “RINO Hunting Permit” to supporters of his U.S. Senate campaign. RINO stands for “Republican in Name Only.” Within a few hours of posting, the video was hidden behind a warning message but remained visible on Twitter to those who wish to see it. The video was removed from Facebook. Violent imagery has been a part of Greitens political persona since he began running for office.

Missouri – Missouri Supreme Court Asks Eric Schmitt to Stop Using Judge Photo in Campaign Mailers
KSHB – David Medina | Published: 6/17/2022

The Missouri Supreme Court asked state Attorney General Eric Schmitt to stop using photos of the court’s judges for campaign mailers used for his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. The mailer shows Schmitt along with three of the justices. The photo was taken by a member of Schmitt’s staff during Missouri’s bicentennial celebration last August. The judges were there in official capacities and were not aware the photo would be used in such a context.

Montana – Convention of States Group Violated Campaign Law
Montana Free Press – Alex Sakariassen | Published: 6/20/2022

An out-of-state super PAC that spent $126,752 supporting a trio of Republican legislative primary candidates in Montana violated state campaign finance laws, according to Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan. A complaint filed against the Convention of States Political Fund said the organization failed to adequately disclose its spending on mailers and radio ads. Mangan also said the group did not meet the state’s definition of a nonresident political committee because it had failed to file its activity in its home state.

New Mexico – New Mexico County Certifies Election Results, Bowing to Court Order
MSN – Annie Gowan (Washington Post) | Published: 6/17/2022

Commissioners in New Mexico’s Otero County voted two-to-one to comply with a state Supreme Court order and certify primary-election results, reversing an earlier rejection of vote totals over unfounded claims that voting machines were insecure. Commissioner Couy Griffin refused to back down from assertions the machines were not secure or apologize for leading a charge against a normally straightforward procedural vote that caused a week-long uproar. “My vote to remain a no isn’t based on any evidence, it’s not based on any facts, it’s only based on my gut feeling and my own intuition, and that’s all I need,” Griffin said.

New York – Corporate PACs Fail to Disclose Cash Behind Attacks in Primary Races
New York Focus – Sam Mellins | Published: 6/22/2022

With days to go before New York’s primary election, two real estate-backed groups likely spending millions of dollars to boost moderate Democrats may be violating campaign finance law by failing to disclose where they are getting their money and how they are spending it. Common Sense New Yorkers and Voters of New York are independent expenditure committees, which can spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections but cannot coordinate with candidates. New York law mandates that such committees file reports detailing their spending and fundraising 32 and 11 days before a primary, which neither group has done.

New York – Law School Deans Unveil New York’s New Ethics System
Albany Times Union – Brendan Lyons | Published: 6/15/2022

The deans of New York’s accredited law schools announced a rigorous vetting process to select nominees for the state’s new 11-member Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, which was created this year to overhaul the existing state ethics panel, which has for years faced criticism for some of its members’ apparent allegiance to the lawmakers who appointed them. Unlike the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, whose members were generally appointed with little vetting, the new rules will enable a nominating committee comprised of the law school deans to reject someone not found to have “undisputed honesty, integrity and character.”

New York – Supreme Court Justice Robert Berliner Resigns After Being Accused of an Ethics Violation
MSN – Steve Lieberman (The Journal News) | Published: 6/22/2022

State Supreme Court Justice Robert Berliner resigned from the bench rather than contest claims he engaged in prohibited political activity as a jurist. The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct alleged that in September 2015 and November 2017, Berliner accompanied and/or introduced two candidates to three gatherings of community and political leaders in Orange and Rockland counties. “Prohibiting [judges’] involvement in campaigns, except when running for judicial office themselves, is essential to public confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary,” said commission Administrator Robert Tembeckjian.

North Dakota – North Dakota Ethics Panel Adopts Disclosure Rules for Powerful State Boards
Bismarck Tribune – Jack Dura | Published: 6/22/2022

The North Dakota Ethics Commission adopted rules for how certain state officials should handle potential bias arising from campaign contributions. The new rules take effect immediately and apply to the Public Service Commission and governor-led Industrial Commission, which make decisions usually involving companies in the energy and utility industries. Both boards have their own ethics policies.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Fired Its CEO Amid Bribery Scandal but Let Him Keep Millions, Documents Show
Ohio Capital Journal – Jake Zuckerman | Published: 6/23/2022

As its starring role in a political bribery scandal became clearer and two alleged conspirators pleaded guilty, FirstEnergy fired its chief executive officer, Charles Jones, who was later outed as an architect of the operation. But documents show FirstEnergy’s board of directors declined to invoke a provision in Jones’ contract that would have allowed the company to claw back some of the tens of millions it had paid him during a “pay-to-play” operation the company has admitted to. Between 2017 and 2020, roughly the time frame of the alleged conspiracy, Jones earned more than $51 million.

Ohio – Former Newburgh Heights Mayor Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail for Campaign Finance Violations
WVIZ – Matthew Richmond | Published: 6/21/2022

Former Newburgh Heights Mayor Trevor Elkins was sentenced to 30 days in jail for campaign finance violations. Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Joan Synenberg issued the sentence despite the prosecutor’s recommendation of five years’ probation and no jail time. “I’m surprised quite frankly that the state of Ohio doesn’t recognize the seriousness of the violation of a public official violating the public trust,” Synenberg said. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections found 651 instances where Elkins used money donated for his campaigns on expenses like bar and restaurants tabs and haircuts, totaling more than $130,000.

Ohio – P.G. Sittenfeld Trial May Expose How Fundraising, Developer Deals at City Hall Really Got Done
WCPO – Paula Christian | Published: 6/20/2022

Former Cincinnati City Councilperson P.G. Sittenfeld’s federal trial on corruption charges is underway. But the trial is not just about Sittenfeld, and whether he traded “official acts” to help a city project in exchange for $40,000 in donations to his PAC. Experts say the trial is really about the murky, sometimes seedy side of campaign fundraising. The trial will likely expose how business at City Hall got done during one of the most explosive periods of development in recent memory. “This is not a case strictly about him and a couple of developer deals, this is a case about the way American politics works,” said University of Cincinnati professor David Niven.

Pennsylvania – Pa. House Eyes Expanding Who Can Bring Sexual Misconduct Complaints Against Lawmakers
Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 6/17/2022

Pennsylvania House leaders are negotiating a deal to close a loophole in the chamber’s rules that protects lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct from facing institutional sanctions. The talks center around a bipartisan resolution that would forbid lawmakers from engaging in sexual harassment “while performing House-related services or duties or in or on any House owned or leased property or facilities.” Consequences could range from censure to expulsion, depending on the outcome of an internal investigation.

South Dakota – South Dakota AG Convicted on 2 Impeachment Charges, Removed
ABC News – Stephen Groves (Associated Press) | Published: 6/21/2022

The South Dakota Senate convicted state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg of two impeachment charges stemming from a 2020 fatal automobile crash, removing and barring him from future office in a rebuke that showed most senators did not believe his account of the accident. Ravnsborg told a 911 dispatcher the night of the crash that he might have struck a deer or other large animal and has said he did not know he struck Joseph Boever until he returned to the scene the next morning. Criminal investigators said they did not believe some of Ravnsborg’s statements, and several senators made clear they did not either.

Texas – At Texas GOP Convention, Loyalists Embrace Far Right, Anti-Gay Rhetoric
MSN – Rosalind Helderman (Washington Post) | Published: 6/19/2022

Thousands of Republican activists meeting in Houston for the state’s party convention agreed to a resolution that rejects the outcome of the 2020 presidential election and refers to Joe Biden as an illegitimate president. The delegates also called for the repeal of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Separately, a party platform presented to convention delegates labeled homosexuality “an abnormal lifestyle choice.” The platform also advocates for children to learn in school about “the humanity of the preborn child,” promoting new messaging after the state has taken steps to vastly restrict abortion when knocking on constituents’ doors.

West Virginia – Former West Virginia Lawmaker Who Livestreamed Jan. 6 Riot Gets 3 Months in Prison
MSN – Alanna Durkin Richer (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 6/22/2022

Former West Virginia lawmaker who livestreamed himself on Facebook storming the U.S. Capitol and cheering on what he described as a “revolution” was sentenced to three months in prison. Derrick Evans was sworn in as a member of the state’s House of Delegates just weeks before the riot that left more than 100 police officers injured. Evans was arrested two days after the insurrection and resigned a month before the start of the legislative session.

Campaign Finance

National: “Liberal Groups Devote Millions to Blocking GOP Election Deniers” by Michael Scherer (Washington Post) for MSN

California: “Anaheim City Council Deadlocks on Campaign Finance Reform Following FBI Corruption Probe” by Spencer Custodio for Voice of OC

Florida: “Former Democratic Candidate for Florida Governor Indicted” by Steven Lemongello and Jeffery Schweers (Orlando Sentinel) for MSN

Maine: “Paul LePage’s Campaign Fined $3K for Late Finance Report” by Caitlin Andrews for Bangor Daily News

Elections

National: “Justice Dept. Expands Jan. 6 Probe with Fresh Subpoenas” by Spencer Hsu, Josh Dawsey, and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

New York: “Supreme Court Justice Robert Berliner Resigns After Being Accused of an Ethics Violation” by Steve Lieberman (The Journal News) for MSN

South Dakota: “South Dakota AG Convicted on 2 Impeachment Charges, Removed” by Stephen Groves (Associated Press) for ABC News

Lobbying

National: “American Influence Has a New Address on State Street” by Hailey Fuchs (Politico) for Yahoo News

Massachusetts: “Mass. High Court to Hear Arguments in DiMasi Lobbying Case” by Matt Stout (Boston Globe) for MSN

On June 21, Jean-François Routhier, the Commissioner of Lobbying with Lobbyisme Québec, officially deployed the first phase of Carrefour Lobby Quebec, the new online disclosure regime of lobbying activities for the province.

The current registry of lobbyists will be replaced by Carrefour Lobby Québec, which will be administered by Lobbyisme Québec. The official and complete launch of Carrefour Lobby Québec is anticipated to take place in the fall of 2022. At that time, the current lobbyists’ registry will close.

Beginning June 21, the most senior executives of companies and organizations carrying out lobbying activities and their authorized representatives, as well as consultant lobbyists, will begin to be invited to proceed with the creation of their individual account and their businesses or organizations on the new website. Lobbyisme Québec plans to help support registered lobbyists efficiently transition to the new website during the second and final phase of the platform’s deployment.

According to the Office of Lobbyisme’s press release, the Lobbyists Commissioner has recommended that the government, as provided for in Bill 13, adopt the decree setting the entry into force of the new platform on October 13, 2022.

In the works since the summer of 2019, the updated web platform aims to replace the “technological obsolescence” of the current site with a modern system, to improve the user experience, and to be in line with Quebec’s 2019-2023 digital transformation strategy.

National/Federal

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Curb Foreign Influence in U.S. Democracy
MSN – Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) | Published: 6/16/2022

A House bill seeks to curb foreign influence in the U.S. by imposing a lifetime ban on members of Congress, senior military leaders, and senior executive branch officials from lobbying for a foreign government or political party, among other measures. The legislation would also compel tax-exempt groups, including think tanks, to disclose high-dollar donations and gifts from foreign powers and require campaigns to verify that donors have a valid U.S. address, using the three-digit code on the back of credit cards.

Deceptive Mailings, False Billboards: Voting disinformation is not just online
Yahoo News – Steven Lee Myers (New York Times) | Published: 6/14/2022

When it comes to elections, disinformation is not just a problem online. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin argue in a new report that disinformation targeting communities of color in three battleground states circulated as often through traditional sources of information, complicating efforts to fight it. The misleading information was included in mailings and campaign advertisements in newspapers, radio, television, and even billboards. Those efforts are more likely to reach voters in those communities than targeted disinformation campaigns on the internet.

Ginni Thomas Corresponded with John Eastman, Sources in Jan. 6 House Investigation Say
MSN – Jacqueline Alemany, Josh Dawsey, and Emma Brown (Washington Post) | Published: 6/15/2022

The House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol obtained email correspondence between Virginia Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and lawyer John Eastman, who played a key role in efforts to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to block the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. The emails show Virginia Thomas’s efforts to overturn the election were more extensive than previously known, sources said. The committee’s members and staffers are discussing whether to spend time during their public hearings exploring her role in the attempt to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election.

House Jan. 6 Panel Revelation on Pardons Raises Questions
MSN – Michael Macagnone (Roll Call) | Published: 6/10/2022

A House select committee revealed “multiple” Republican members of Congress requested pardons from former President Trump after the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol but named only one of them. Committee Vice Chairperson Liz Cheney opened up speculation about which of her fellow Republicans might have thought their actions backing Trump’s efforts to overturn that election had crossed a criminal line. Experts said Cheney’s accusation raises complicated questions about pardons and how laws and ethical rules will apply to House members in the wake of the panel’s investigation.

Jan. 6 Panel Makes Case Election Fraud Claims Were Trump vs. ‘Team Normal’
Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Nicholas Wu (Politico) | Published: 6/13/2022

The January 6 committee’s case that former President Trump stoked a violent insurrection rests on a fundamental premise: Trump was told, over and over, his claims of election fraud were false, and he amplified them anyway. The panel unloaded a stream of evidence, most of it videotaped interviews, that showed Trump’s own top advisers repeatedly told him his elections claims were wrong. No matter what detailed corroboration they provided, advisers testified Trump responded with derision, ultimately pushing those aides aside in favor of the fringe lawyers willing to echo the false allegations.

Loudermilk Tour Group Taking Basement Photos ‘Raises Concerns’ for Jan. 6 Panel
MSN – Nicholas Wu and Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 6/15/2022

People who joined U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk for a Capitol complex tour on January 5, 2021, photographed and recorded places “not typically of interest to tourists, including hallways, staircases, and security checkpoints,” according to the House committee investigating the insurrection. The video footage underscored lawmaker concerns that surfaced after the attack – that large tour groups appeared to surveil areas a day before a mob smashed its way inside the Capitol. The committee has evidence at least one member of Loudermilk’s group returned to the Capitol the following day and recorded an ominous message aimed at Democratic lawmakers.

Maker of Uvalde Massacre Gun Broke Campaign Finance Law, Complaint Says
MSN – Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) | Published: 6/14/2022

Shortly after the 2020 election, a super PAC called the Gun Owners Action Fund was formed. On January 6, 2021, the gun manufacturer, Daniel Defense contributed $100,000 to the super PAC. Daniel Defense recently came under a spotlight when one of its rifles was used in the massacre of 21 people at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. A complaint from the Campaign Legal Center says Daniel Defense violated federal law when it gave the money to the Gun Owners Action Fund because federal contractors are barred from making contributions to federal candidates or committees.

More Than 100 GOP Primary Winners Back Trump’s False Fraud Claims
MSN – Amy Gardner and Isaac Arnsdorf (Washington Post) | Published: 6/14/2022

Primary voters have nominated scores of Republican candidates for state and federal office who say the 2020 election was rigged, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. The analysis offers a portrait of the extent to which embracing Trump’s false claims has become part of a winning formula in this year’s GOP contests, and what it means for the immediate future of American democracy. The majority of the election-denying candidates who have secured their nominations are running in districts or states that lean Republican, meaning they are likely to win the offices they are seeking.

Retired General Resigns as Head of Brookings Amid Federal Probe
MSN – Reis Thebault, Caroline Kitchener, and Alex Horton (Washington Post) | Published: 6/12/2022

Retired Marine Gen. John Allen resigned as president of the Brookings Institution, one of the most renowned think tanks in the world, after he was placed on administrative leave amid a federal investigation into his suspected lobbying on behalf of the government of Qatar years ago. The inquiry is focused on whether Allen secretly urged the Trump administration to tone down its criticism of Qatar in 2017, when neighbors in the Persian Gulf imposed economic sanctions on the country, accusing it of supporting Islamist extremism. U.S. law requires anyone who lobbies on behalf of other governments to be registered with the Justice Department.

State Supreme Courts: Bottom of the ballot but top concern if Roe falls
Yahoo News – Megan Messerly (Politico) | Published: 6/13/2022

State courts are likely to be flooded with litigation that could require them to rule on access to abortion, or even contraception and fertility treatments, should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade in the coming weeks. The possible end to federal abortion protections is spotlighting down-ballot races in the upcoming midterm elections, particularly for state Supreme Court judges who could soon be asked to decide whether their state constitution protects a person’s right to end a pregnancy. Organizations on both sides of the abortion debate are planning to spend big to tip the scales in their favor.

Trump Raised Millions to Fight Election Fraud Before Jan. 6. Here’s How That Money Was Spent.
MSN – Erin Mansfield (USA Today) | Published: 6/16/2022

A fundraising committee affiliated with former President Trump sent out an urgent message to supporters on election night 2020 saying Trump had activated an “Official Election Defense Fund” to protect the integrity of the election. Throughout November and December, the committee sent out dozens more similar emails soliciting money. But the fund did not exist. Most of the money went to a leadership fund that in turn gave money to organizations where Trump allies work, contributed to dozens of candidates who supported Trump’s false claims of a stolen election, and paid former White House officials after Trump left office.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Ginni Thomas Pressed 29 Ariz. Lawmakers to Help Overturn Trump’s Defeat, Emails Show
MSN – Emma Brown (Washington Post) | Published: 6/10/2022

Virginia Thomas, the wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, pressed 29 Republican state lawmakers in Arizona – 27 more than previously known – to set aside Joe Biden’s popular vote victory and “choose” presidential electors. The Washington Post reported in May that Virginia Thomas sent emails to two Arizona House members urging them to help overturn Biden’s win by selecting presidential electors. She sent the messages using FreeRoots, an online platform intended to make it easy to send pre-written emails to multiple elected officials.

California – A 20-Story Tower. A Liquor Box with $100 Bills. The First Trial in the Huizar Case Begins
Yahoo News – David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 6/14/2022

George Esparza told prosecutors he once took a Don Julio tequila box packed with $100 bills to the home of his boss, then-Los Angeles City Councilperson Jose Huizar. Esparza said Huizar initially told him to hide the cash and later hounded him for the money. Now, the businessperson accused of providing that cash is facing his day in court, in the first of three trials that make up the sprawling bribery and racketeering case against Huizar. Lawyers delivered opening statements in the case against Dae Yong Lee, who is accused of paying $500,000 to ensure Huizar would clear the way for a 20-story residential tower.

California – He Was Part of a ‘Cabal’ That Steered Anaheim City Hall. Now He Has Agreed to Plead Guilty
Yahoo News – Nathan Fenno, Adam Elmahrek, and Gabriel San Román (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 6/9/2022

Todd Ament, the former head of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, agreed to a plea bargain in connection with a wide-ranging Orange County political corruption scandal. According to a court filing, Ament will plead guilty to submitting a false tax return, lying to a mortgage lender, and two counts of wire fraud. The agreement requires Ament to fully cooperate with the government, including testifying before grand juries and at trials, and pay almost $250,000 in back taxes. The affidavit in support of the complaint contained a host of other allegations, including Ament’s participation in a “cabal” that steered Anaheim’s government.

California – LA Ethics Commission Issue s $8,750 0n Ethics, Lobbying Fines
MSN – Staff | Published: 6/15/2022

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission approved a total of $8,750 in fines for ethics and lobbying violations. One case concerned a law prohibiting city employees from misusing their official positions and city resources. The commission also found a violation of the lobbying law, which requires persons who qualify as lobbying entities to register and report their activities.

California – Topsy-Turvy Top-Two: Is California primary system keeping its promises?
CalMatters – Ben Christopher | Published: 6/13/2022

Under California’s unusual top-two primary system, all candidates are listed on the same ballot and only the first- and second-place winners move on to the November general election. Approved by voters in 2010 and rolled out for the first time statewide two years later, the system has changed state politics in many of the ways its proponents promised at the time, and a few ways they did not.

Colorado – John Kellner, Candidate for Colorado Attorney General, Returns $500 Contribution Flagged as Potential Campaign Finance Violation
Denver Post – Ryan Biller | Published: 6/10/2022

A report of a potential campaign finance violation led Colorado attorney general candidate John Kellner to return a $500 contribution from a lobbyist, although the lobbyist has since been free to give the money back to the campaign. A complaint alleged Kellner accepted a $500 contribution from lobbyist Michael Fields on January 27. Because the contribution came while the General Assembly was in session, the act was a violation of state campaign finance laws, the complaint alleged.

Florida – Former Keys Commissioner Arrested, Accused of Using Campaign Funds to Pay for Netflix
MSN – David Ovalle (Miami Herald) | Published: 6/15/2022

Former Florida Keys County Commissioner Eddie Martinez surrendered to face allegations he failed to report campaign expenditures and used campaign money to pay for personal expenses with CVS, U-Haul, and Netflix. According to an arrest warrant, Martinez failed to report numerous transactions on state-required campaign finance reports, including withdrawing campaign cash from ATMs and spending campaign money through a debit card.

Idaho – 31 Tied to Hate Group Charged with Planning Riot Near LGBTQ Event in Idaho
MSN – Nick Parker and Bryan Pietsch (Washington Post) | Published: 6/11/2022

Police in Idaho arrested 31 people who had face coverings, white-supremacist insignia, shields, and an “operations plan” to riot near an LGBTQ Pride event. Police said they were affiliated with Patriot Front, a white supremacist group whose founder was among those arrested. The Patriot Front rebranded after one of its members plowed his car into a crowd of people protesting a white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville in 2017, killing Heather Heyer and injuring dozens.

Illinois – Cook County Official Sued by Ethics Board for ‘Flagrantly’ Defying Nepotism Ban Fires Her Cousin as Chief of Staff, He Says
Yahoo News – Alice Yin (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 6/10/2022

Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Tammy Wendt’s cousin is no longer employed as her chief of staff, following a monthslong feud between Wendt and the county ethics board that recently spilled into the courts. Firing Todd Thielmann was one of the demands the Cook County Board of Ethics laid on Wendt when it sued her. The board also seeks payment of the $2,000 fine it imposed when it originally found she “flagrantly” violated the nepotism ban.

Illinois – Pass Effort to Tighten Chicago’s Ethics Rules Immediately, Ethics Board Chair Says
WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 6/13/2022

The chair of the Chicago Board of Ethics called for Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the city council to immediately pass a proposal to overhaul ethics rules designed to finally put an end to the deluge of corruption at City Hall. William Conlon said the package of reforms, which has been stalled since April without Lightfoot’s backing, should be “swiftly” passed and signed into law. The measure’s prospects for approval appear uncertain after Lightfoot instructed her allies on the council to use a parliamentary maneuver to prevent a hearing on the proposal in June.

Illinois – Proposal Calls for ComEd to Pay $38 Million Back to Ratepayers for Scandal Tied to Michael Madigan Indictment
MSN – Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 6/14/2022

Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) electricity customers would get more than $38 million in refunds tied to the federal bribery scandal that led to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s indictment under a proposal being considered by state regulators. ComEd has acknowledged it sought to curry favor with Madigan by placing his political cronies into jobs requiring little or no work. Though ComEd’s Springfield lobbying efforts have been a major focus of the scandal, the company said actual lobbying costs were not included in the refunds because those costs are not calculated into customer rates.

Illinois – ‘We’ve Gotta Kill It. Period.’ New Details on ComEd Bribery Probe Emerge in Latest Unsealed Search Warrants
MSN – Jason Meisner and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 6/10/2022

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan approved efforts to kill his own daughter’s legislation as he pressed Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) to give jobs to two political allies. At the time, the legislation, aimed at helping low-income electricity customers, was making its way to the floor of a House chamber controlled by Madigan. One of its primary opponents was ComEd, the state’s largest electric utility. Madigan was indicted on racketeering charges alleging his elected office and political operation were a criminal enterprise that provided personal financial rewards for him and his associates.

Maryland – Baltimore Council President Nick Mosby Files Legal Challenge to Ethics Ruling Alleging He Broke City Law
MSN – Emily Opilo and Christine Condon (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 6/13/2022

Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby is challenging a Board of Ethics order that called on him to cease fundraising for a legal-defense fund and turn over a list of donors one month after he said publicly that he would comply with the order. The board said Mosby violated the law by indirectly soliciting for the fund that took donations from at least two city contractors. Baltimore’s ethics ordinance allows the subjects of investigations to seek a judicial review if they are “aggrieved” by a decision of the board.

Maryland – Sheila Dixon Helps a Trash hauler – and Olszewski Contributor – Win a $300,000 Fee Reduction
Baltimore Brew – Mark Reutter | Published: 6/14/2022

Among the crowd at a fundraiser for Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski last June, one person stood out. Sheila Dixon appeared at the cookout not as a mayor who was forced to resign after a theft conviction, but as a political luminary feted by, among others, Willie Goode, head of several waste management companies. A few weeks earlier, the Olszewski administration renegotiated the “tipping fee” his companies paid for trash transfers that would save Goode $300,000 over the life of the contract. D’Andrea Walker, acting director of Pubic Works and Transportation, reduced the fee following conversations with Dixon and Stacy Rodgers, the county administrator.

Michigan – Mich. Gubernatorial Candidate Arrested on Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Charge
MSN – Spencer Hsu, Aaron Davis, and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 6/9/2022

Ryan Kelley, a contender in Michigan’s crowded August 2 Republican gubernatorial primary, was arrested on charges of participating in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He faces four counts punishable by up to a year in prison, including committing an act of violence against a person or property on restricted grounds. Kelley is the latest of more than a half-dozen Republican officeholders, candidates, or local party leaders to be charged in the Capitol breach, with several pleading guilty or being convicted at trial.

Michigan – Sixth Circuit Hears Campaign Finance Case Against Michigan Governor
Courthouse News Service – Kevin Koeninger | Published: 6/9/2022

An account with more than $3.7 million for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, over 95 percent of which was later given to the Michigan Democratic Party, was amassed in violation of state campaign finance laws, the Michigan GOP argued. The fundraising sum was the result of large contributions by various wealthy donors made in response to recall efforts against Whitmer throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Only one of the efforts required the creation of a recall committee, but Whitmer used the opportunity to raise a significant amount of campaign capital.

Missouri – Grant Program for North St. Louis and ‘Aldermanic Courtesy’ Raise New Questions After Indictments
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Jacob Barker | Published: 6/13/2022

St. Louis launched a new grant program designed to pump $37 million into businesses and nonprofits along many of north St. Louis’s main thoroughfares. The program handed administrative duties to the St. Louis Development Corp., the city’s economic development arm. But it contained one provision that, at the time, gave some officials pause: all grants need approval from the area’s alderman. The provision codified the “aldermanic courtesy” that has long been tradition in St. Louis. But that tradition is under new scrutiny following the indictments against three members of the Board of Aldermen.

Nebraska – Nebraska Cops Probe Shady Tactics by Voter ID Campaign’s Foot Soldiers
Yahoo News – Francisco Alvarado (Daily Beast) | Published: 6/14/2022

Some Nebraskans have reported strange encounters with petition circulators to the elections watchdog group Civic Nebraska and Secretary of State Robert Evnen over the past month, reports which have now sparked a police investigation. The complaints describe and cell phone video clips show unknown operatives of Citizens For Voter ID engaging in what appear to be misleading tactics and saying just about anything except what the proposed ballot measure actually does in an effort to secure the necessary signatures from registered voters.

New Mexico – Ethics Commission Wants NM Disclosure Law Enforced
Albuquerque Journal – Dan McKay | Published: 6/10/2022

More than 20 percent of the individuals required to file annual disclosures about their income sources and property, a group that includes public officials and candidates in New Mexico, have not done so, according to the State Ethics Commission. The ethics agency authorized its staff to issue demand letters to about 155 people who have not filed the mandatory disclosures and to go to court if necessary to enforce the law.

New Mexico – New Mexico’s Supreme Court Orders County Commission to Certify Vote
MSN – Annie Gowan (Washington Post) | Published: 6/15/2022

New Mexico’s Supreme Court ordered commissioners in Otero County to certify election results from the June 7 primary after they refused, citing unsubstantiated concerns about fraud. A spokesperson for Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said the office was pursuing a criminal referral, which could result in the county commissioners being charged with contempt of court or removed from office if they do not follow the court’s instructions. The commissioners’ refusal thrust the small county into the national spotlight at a time of rising concern over the long-term damage from former President Trump’s claim the 2020 election was stolen from him.

New York – In Lobbying Probe, Ethics Commission Critic Faces $4M Threat
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 6/12/2022

Lobbying groups in New York typically must disclose donors providing more than $2,500 under a state law meant to reveal those who are seeking to influence government. In a filing submitted last July, Don’t Bankrupt New York, which spent more than $850,000 on television ads that opposed tax increases, disclosed little about its spending and indicated it took in no contribution over $2,500. The person responsible for that paperwork was David Grandeau, the state’s former top lobbying regulator. Grandeau has touted his ability to obscure the sources behind clients’ lobbying spending, tweaking the state’s regulators for allegedly failing to keep pace with him.

New York – New York High Court Nixes Trump Appeal, Clearing Way for Testimony
CNBC – Associated Press | Published: 6/14/2022

New York’s highest court rejected former President Trump’s last-ditch effort to avoid testifying in the state attorney general’s civil investigation into his business practices, clearing the way for his deposition in July. The state’s Court of Appeals said there was no “substantial constitutional question” that would warrant its intervention in the matter following an intermediate appellate court’s ruling enforcing a subpoena for Trump’s testimony.

Ohio – Campaign Watchdogs Sue Vance Campaign, Super PAC Over Alleged Covert Website Scheme
Ohio Capital Journal – Nick Evans | Published: 6/10/2022

A super PAC illegally provided resources to J.D. Vance’s U.S. Senate campaign in Ohio to propel him to victory in the GOP primary, a new complaint filed with the FEC alleges. The Campaign Legal Center and End Citizens United claim that Protect Ohio Values used a covert website to circumvent rules that prevent coordination between super PACs and campaigns. The super PAC posted numerous campaign research, polling, and strategy documents to the site. The watchdog groups argue the Vance campaign making use of that information amounts to accepting an illegal in-kind contribution.

Ohio – Ohio State Board of Education Selected Steve Dackin as State Education Chief Eight Days After Learning an Ethics Inquiry Was Likely Coming, Letter Shows
MSN – Laurie Hancock (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 6/13/2022

The Ohio State Board of Education learned in a May 2 letter from the state Ethics Commission that an inquiry into one of its finalists for superintendent of public instruction was likely. Yet on May 10, the board selected that candidate, Steve Dackin, as the state’s education chief, a position that leads the Ohio Department of Education, designs model curriculum, and administers the testing of 1.7 million children. Dackin lasted 11 days before resigning over ethics questions. Dackin was the former Board of Education vice president who led the search for a new state superintendent as the board decided to forgo hiring an outside search firm.

Vermont – Becca Balint Has Denounced Super PACs. Is Her Campaign Winking at Them Anyway?
VTDigger.org – Lola Duffort | Published: 6/13/2022

Asked by Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, likely her closest competitor in the Democratic primary for Vermont’s sole U.S. House seat, if she would reject super PAC spending on her behalf, state Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint said she would. Federal campaign law imposes a cap on how much individual donors or corporations can give to political candidates. But those rules don’t apply to super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against candidates. Campaigns have found a deceptively simple work-around to the prohibition against coordination: redboxing.

Washington – Aide Who Blew Whistle on Mistreatment of Staff Fired from Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner
OPB – Austin Jenkins (Northwest Newws Network) | Published: 6/15/2022

The office of Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fired a top aide who in February formally complained that Kreidler had bullied him, used crass language, and was increasingly “antagonizing staff.” The firing of Jon Noski, Kreidler’s legislative liaison, followed a wave of criticism in recent months from current, former, and potential Office of Insurance Commissioner employees who said Kreider verbally mistreated staff and also, at times, used racially offensive language.

Washington DC – Giuliani Hit with Ethics Charges by Washington D.C. Authorities Over False Election Claims
Reuters – Sara Lynch | Published: 6/11/2022

The District of Columbia office that polices attorneys for ethical misconduct filed charges on against President Trump’s former attorney, Rudy Giuliani, over baseless claims Giuliani made in federal court alleging the 2020 presidential election was stolen. The charges came a day after the House Select Committee investigating the attack on the Capitol had its first hearing in which it outlined evidence that Trump and his allies sought to overturn the 2020 election and incite throngs of his supporters to block Congress from certifying President Biden’s victory.

Wisconsin – Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman Should Face Discipline After ‘Misogynistic’ Comments, Judge Orders
Yahoo News – Molly Beck (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 6/14/2022

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman could face discipline from officials who oversee the conduct of attorneys after he berated a judge and a female attorney while refusing to answer their questions about his handling of public records requests. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Frank Remington fined Gableman $2,000 per day until he proves to the court and attorneys representing American Oversight that he has produced all records the group has requested related to his taxpayer-funded review of the 2020 election. Gableman was hired by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to investigate Donald Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the state.

Wyoming – There Could Be a Path for Crypto Campaign Contributions in Wyoming
Wyoming Tribune Eagle – Jonathan Make | Published: 6/14/2022

There could be a pathway for Wyoming politicians to be formally cleared to accept campaign contributions in the form of virtual currency, at least possibly if state officials go along with this suggestion. During a Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation hearing, state Sens. Chris Rothfuss and Tara Nethercott noted that one approach could be for the value of a cryptocurrency political contribution to be pegged to the worth of the crypto at the time of the donation.

Campaign Finance

National: “Donald Trump Is Unlikely to Get Nailed with Fraud Charges Over His Campaign Soliciting Donations for a Non-Existent ‘Official Election Defense Fund,’ Experts Say” by Brent Griffiths and Dave Levinthal (Business Insider) for Yahoo News

Ohio: “Campaign Watchdogs Sue Vance Campaign, Super PAC Over Alleged Covert Website Scheme” by Nick Evans for Ohio Capital Journal

Wyoming: “There Could Be a Path for Crypto Campaign Contributions in Wyoming” by Jonathan Make for Wyoming Tribune Eagle

Elections

New Mexico: “GOP Commission Refuses to Certify New Mexico Primary Vote” by Morgan Lee (Associated Press) for MSN

Wisconsin: “Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman Should Face Discipline After ‘Misogynistic’ Comments, Judge Orders” by Molly Beck (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) for Yahoo News

Ethics

California: “A 20-Story Tower. A Liquor Box with $100 Bills. The First Trial in the Huizar Case Begins” by David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) for Yahoo News

Illinois: “Proposal Calls for ComEd to Pay $38 Million Back to Ratepayers for Scandal Tied to Michael Madigan Indictment” by Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

New York: “New York High Court Nixes Trump Appeal, Clearing Way for Testimony” by Associated Press for CNBC

Lobbying

Maryland: “Sheila Dixon Helps a Trash hauler – and Olszewski Contributor – Win a $300,000 Fee Reduction” by Mark Reutter for Baltimore Brew

Maryland Lawmakers passed a bill late in the session to require lobbyist employers to file contribution disclosure statements even if no contributions were made.

Senate Bill 15 became law when Gov. Larry Hogan declined to veto the bill within 30 days.

Any lobbyist employer who pays at least $500 to one or more lobbyists must file the report on May 31 and November 30.

Previously, the report was due only if applicable contributions were made in the reporting period of $500 or more.

The new law raises penalties for violations from $1,000 to $25,000 and establishes three-year record keeping requirements. Senate bill 15 is effective July 1.

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “John Kellner, Candidate for Colorado Attorney General, Returns $500 Contribution Flagged as Potential Campaign Finance Violation” by Ryan Biller for Denver Post

Elections

National: “State Supreme Courts: Bottom of the ballot but top concern if Roe falls” by Megan Messerly (Politico) for Yahoo News

National: “Jan. 6 Panel Makes Case Election Fraud Claims Were Trump vs. ‘Team Normal’” by Kyle Cheney and Nicholas Wu (Politico) for Yahoo News

Ethics

Idaho: “31 Tied to Hate Group Charged with Planning Riot Near LGBTQ Event in Idaho” by Nick Parker and Bryan Pietsch (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “Cook County Official Sued by Ethics Board for ‘Flagrantly’ Defying Nepotism Ban Fires Her Cousin as Chief of Staff, He Says” by Alice Yin (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Missouri: “Grant Program for North St. Louis and ‘Aldermanic Courtesy’ Raise New Questions After Indictments” by Jacob Barker for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lobbying

National: “Retired General Resigns as Head of Brookings Amid Federal Probe” by Reis Thebault, Caroline Kitchener, and Alex Horton (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “In Lobbying Probe, Ethics Commission Critic Faces $4M Threat” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Question: I am planning to give a state legislator a permissible gift. I know I need to include it on my next lobbying disclosure report. Do I need to worry about anything else to make sure I am compliant with state laws?

Answer: Yes, some states have additional requirements when an expenditure is made on a covered state official or employee. You may be required to provide the official with a notification or file additional reports.

California requires filers reporting gifts aggregating $50 or more in a calendar year to an official to provide the beneficiary with the date and amount of each gift reportable and a description of the goods or services. This information must be provided to the beneficiary within 30 days following the end of each calendar quarter in which the gift was provided.

In Virginia, lobbyists must send each legislative and executive official who is required to be identified by name on schedule A or B of the Lobbyist’s Disclosure Form a copy of schedule A or B or a summary of the information pertaining to that official. Notifications are due to the official by January 10 for the preceding 12 months. Additionally, lobbyists must send post-session notifications to covered officials summarizing all gifts made by the lobbyist during the period beginning on January 1 complete through adjournment sine die of the regular session.

Maryland requires additional reporting for certain permissible expenditures. A lobbyist who invites all members of a legislative unit to a meal or reception must, at least five days before the date of the meal or reception, extend a written invitation to all members of the legislative unit and register the meal or reception with the Department of Legislative Services on Form 13E by filing the report electronically. A post-event filing is then required within 14 days after the date of the meal or reception meal or reception.

Proper gift disclosure can involve more than simply including the gift on your normal lobbying disclosure reports. It is always a good idea to check the jurisdiction’s specific disclosure requirements on our website prior to giving a gift.

You can find this information under the “Reports Required” section of the U.S. Lobbying Compliance Laws online publication.