Latest Developments:
- Ex-Aide to California Governor Indicted for Alleged Theft of Another Official’s Campaign Funds A former top aide to California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been indicted on 23 federal charges for allegedly overseeing an effort to misuse a state official’s dormant campaign funds while that official held federal office. The aide pled not guilty; an aide to the state official entered a plea deal, admitting to a conspiracy count and agreeing to repay $225,000. Charges also involve falsified contracts, fraudulent tax forms, and business deductions for personal expenses for the aide. Indictment and Ex-aide indicted for alleged theft of campaign funds
- Foreign Agent Trial Set to Begin in New York Politico reports that the first big FARA trial of the current administration is scheduled to begin in a New York federal court, involving a former aide to two New York governors charged with acting as an unregistered Chinese agent. The indictment claims Linda Sun allegedly used her position to benefit the Chinese government in exchange for millions in payments to her husband’s business. Sun Indictment – Politico and FARA Trial Beginning
- Pay-to-Play Rules Updated for Florida Underwriters Providers seeking to perform underwriting and other services must comply with pay-to-play provisions in the state’s Debt Management Policy, now that a separate Florida statute has been repealed. The policy (see p. 12) requires service providers to certify they have not contributed more than $250 or participated in the management of fundraising for or on behalf of any candidate for Governor or for a Cabinet position in Florida during the previous two calendar years.
- Minnesota Campaign Finance Board Enjoined from Enforcing Disclosure Law A Minnesota district court preliminarily enjoined enforcement by the state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board against two organization lobbyists for failing to disclose names and addresses of their advertising vendors. Ruling
- Michigan Complaint Alleges Group Tried to Funnel $100,000 into Campaign A nonprofit is accused of participating “in a dark money scheme to funnel money into an effort to overturn the governor’s COVID-19 emergency powers” in 2020, potentially using corporate donations to a 501(c)(4) exempt organization, and violating the state’s Campaign Finance Act. Complaint Argues DTE-Tied Group Aimed to Funnel $100k into Unlock Michigan Campaign
- Transparency Otherwise Delayed in Michigan The Michigan Transparency Network, the state’s new $9 million public portal for campaign finance and lobbyist disclosures, is being criticized as less transparent, after the Texas firm that was the sole qualified bidder has reportedly struggled to follow through on project goalstouted by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. A Michigan media outlet reports that the public is still seeing less information than it did in its prior system, while the company says they are committed to the project. Political transparency portal delayed by months, company isn’t meeting state goals
In Case You Missed It:
- Louisiana Officials Can Spend Campaign Cash on Mardi Gras Events Louisiana ethics officials have approved candidates using campaign funds to cover their costs, and those of their spouses and children, for events related to the upcoming Mardi Gras celebration in Washington, D.C. Generally, state law bans the use of campaign funds and political action committee money for “personal use,” but the Louisiana Legislature carved out a explicit exception for Washington Mardi Gras earlier this year, the Louisiana Illuminator Campaign Funds Pay for Mardi Gras Events
- DOJ Under Pressure from Trump Demand for $230 Million Settlement The request for reimbursement appears to be unprecedented and, as The Hill reports, is putting Department of Justice attorneys under ethics pressure. DOJ Under Ethics Pressure
- Former DeSantis Aide’s Revolving Door Work Scrutinized The Orlando Sentinel reports that an aide’s revolving-door arrangement, working for the Governor and later a “high-powered law firm that lobbies for its clients in Tallahassee and has made millions doing business with the state,” provides insight into “the incestuous nature of politics and influence in Florida.” Uthmeier’s brief tenure at GrayRobinson raises potential ethical issues
- “Don’t Fine Me, My Attorney Was in Prison” Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Huston successfully argued that she should not have pay a full fine for failing to file a campaign finance report because her attorney was incarcerated at the time of her deadline. Louisiana Illuminator – Sheriff Missed Deadline Because Attorney Was in Prison