“Why does it Matter if the NRA Used Russian Money to help Donald Trump’s Election?”
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy for the National Law Review.
Category Archives: campaign finance
“FEC probes whether NRA got illegal Russian donations”
Politico:
he Federal Election Commission has launched a preliminary investigation into whether Russian entities gave illegal contributions to the National Rifle Association that were intended to benefit the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election, according to people who… Continue reading
Today’s Must-Read: “How Trump Consultants Exploited the Facebook Data of Millions”
NYT:
As the upstart voter-profiling company Cambridge Analytica prepared to wade into the 2014 American midterm elections, it had a problem.
The firm had secured a $15 million investment from Robert Mercer, the wealthy Republican donor, and wooed his… Continue reading
“NRA lawyer said to have had concerns about group’s ties to Russia”
McClatchy:
Congressional investigators are examining information that a longtime attorney for the National Rifle Association had concerns about the group’s ties to Russia and its possible involvement in channeling Russian funds into the 2016 elections to help Donald Trump, two… Continue reading
“Elected Officials, Secret Cash”
Brennan Center:
At least two presidents, seven governors and several prominent mayors – from both major parties – have established nonprofits that allow them to raise unlimited, anonymous funds for political spending after election day. In recent years, the risk… Continue reading
“GOP’s new tax law encourages campaign donor secrecy”
Ellen Aprill oped in the Hill:
As a result of these changes, estimates of the percentage of taxpayers who will itemize has fallen to somewhere between 5 percent and 10 percent. The vast majority of taxpayers will benefit more from… Continue reading
“Approval Of Tempe Ballot Measure Could Set Up Showdown With State”
KJZZ:
Tempe voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 403, which amends the City Charter to “require the disclosure of the origins of major contributions used to influence city elections.”
That goes against a bill in the state Legislature that prohibits Arizona cities… Continue reading
“Despite pledge to ‘drain the swamp,’ Trump has shown little interest in beefing up the Federal Election Commission”
WaPo:
More than a year into his presidency, President Trump has shown little interest in beefing up the Federal Election Commission, the agency that could serve as a key player in his avowed agenda to reduce the influence of moneyed… Continue reading
“A super PAC has raised millions to mobilize black voters. Does it matter that its funders are white?”
“The Consequences of Citizens United: What Do the Lawyers Say?”
Ann Southworth has posted this fascinating draft on SSRN (forthcoming, Chicago-Kent Law Review). Here is the abstract:
Drawing on confidential interviews with thirty-one lawyers who participated in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission as counsel for parties and amici, this… Continue reading
“Trump lawyer’s payment to porn star draws comparisons to John Edwards case”
Politico:
The key legal question is whether the $130,000 was intended to advance Trump’s chances in the election. If it was, it should not have been routed through a corporation and might amount to an illegally large campaign contribution. If… Continue reading
“Payment to Stormy Daniels could be election law violation, say experts”
NBC News reports:
The case of the president, the payment and the porn star has raised questions that merit a federal criminal inquiry, some experts believe.
“There is enough here that warrants investigation,” said Richard Hasen, an election law expert… Continue reading
“Stormy Daniels Lawsuit Opens Door to Further Trouble for Trump”
NYT:
Mr. Cohen has said that he “facilitated” the payment with his own money and was not reimbursed by Mr. Trump’s company or campaign, and that the payment was “not a campaign contribution or a campaign expenditure by anyone.” But… Continue reading
“Election Panel Moves Toward Online Ad Disclosure Compromise”
Bloomberg BNA:
Federal Election Commission members said today they were close to reaching a deal to advance new disclosure rules for online political advertisements.
The commission postponed a vote on new rules to give them more time to draft a… Continue reading