Essential Ethics

Latest Developments: The Cambridge, Massachusetts City Council approved a pay-to-play policy order, including a draft ordinance POR 2020 #240 (page 57), which prohibits contributions to city officials “in excess of the threshold of $200.00 per year within one calendar year…

Latest Developments: The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance 20-4404. The Chicago Tribune calls it the “biggest overhaul in 15 years.” The ordinance requires more disclosure; however, the “annual amount that vendors and lobbyists can donate to Cook County elected…

Latest Developments: The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics ordered former Governor Cuomo to repay money he earned from a book deal. NPR explains that the Governor “promised it would have nothing to do with the ins…

Latest Developments: The United States Department of Justice announced that it is “considering changes to key regulations” with an intent to “modernize and clarify the scope and meaning of [the] Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).”While the DOJ does…

Latest Developments: The Center for Political Accountability released the 2021 CPA- Zicklin Index of Corporate Political Disclosure and Accountability. Roll Call quotes the Center’s President as saying that “‘companies are moving in a turbulent political climate to better manage…

Latest Developments: The Governor of New Jersey approved A 227, which requires members of the Drug Utilization Review Board to disclose gifts from the pharmaceutical industry as well as other financial interests members have in that industry. The measure…

Latest Developments: Federal Contractor Relieved: A company accused of violating the prohibition against federal contractor contributions can rest more easily. Bloomberg Government reports that, after months of investigation, the Commission essentially came to the same conclusion as in…

Latest Developments: The Federal Election Commission determined, in MUR 7523, that foreign corporations may contribute to ballot measure campaigns if not otherwise prohibited by state or local law. The facts presented to the Commission indicate that a Canadian subsidiary of…

Latest Developments: The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that it will not rehear Thompson v. Hebdon, after the request for a new hearing was withdrawn. The action leaves in place the court’s decision this summer overturning certain Alaska…

Latest Developments: The FBI announced this week the indictment of US Rep. Jeff Fortenberry “on federal charges that he lied to the FBI and concealed information about illegal campaign contributions that he accepted from foreign sources.” Fortenberry denies…