Category Archives: campaign finance

“DOJ & FEC Complaints Filed for Apparent ‘Straw Donor’ Contributions to Trump Campaign”

March 19, 2019, 10:15 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Release via email: Today, Common Cause filed complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging reason to believe that a Florida businesswoman violated campaign finance laws by enlisting and reimbursing “straw donors” tens of… Continue reading

“How Executives Vote With Their Wallets”

March 19, 2019, 7:29 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT Dealbook: So a team of Harvard professors set out to find the political inclinations of top executives — not just the 200 who make up the Business Roundtable, but all the executives of the S&P 1500, a stock… Continue reading

“New Report Surveys Speech-Chilling Statutes Across the Country”

March 19, 2019, 7:25 amcampaign finance, lobbyingRick Hasen

IFS: The Institute for Free Speech today published a first-of-its-kind survey of campaign speech regulations and grassroots lobbying laws that implicate First Amendment freedoms.The survey looks at state laws in twelve distinct policy areas, ranging from electioneering communications statutes… Continue reading

“US Supreme Court denies hearing Ron Paul 2012 aides’ appeal”

March 18, 2019, 12:49 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

AP: The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of the felony convictions of three top staffers on Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign.Campaign chairman Jesse Benton, campaign manager John Tate and deputy campaign manager Dimitri Kesari were… Continue reading

Arizona: “Republican lawmaker prompts state investigation of Tempe ban on dark money”

March 17, 2019, 4:18 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Arizona Capitol Times reports.

“Is it Time for Corporate Political Spending Disclosure?”

March 17, 2019, 4:15 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Cydney Posner at Harvard Law Review Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation.

NYT Reporting Suggests That Cindy Yang Illegally Funneled Contributions Through Conduits to Reach $50,000 Threshold for Picture with Donald Trump

March 16, 2019, 12:42 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

This story is going to get bigger: The Republican National Committee promised an “evening reception with Donald J. Trump” last March at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla.A contribution of $2,700 toward the president’s re-election would get you in… Continue reading

“Ted Cruz campaign inaccurately reported loans from Goldman Sachs, Citibank loans, FEC says”

March 16, 2019, 11:51 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

“Small-dollar donors could hold the balance in 2020”

March 15, 2019, 8:10 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Kate Ackley for Roll Call.

9th Circuit Panel Struggles with Constitutionality of Federal Ban on Foreign Contributions in State and Local Elections

March 14, 2019, 8:15 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Josh Gerstein for Politico: The federal government’s claim that it has the authority to ban foreigners from voting and donating in state and local elections prompted sharp questioning from a federal appeals court panel this week.Three 9th Circuit judges heard… Continue reading

“DOJ Probes Whether Fugitive Financier Supplied Donation to Trump Re-Election Effort”

March 13, 2019, 10:22 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

WSJ: The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether $100,000 donated to a Trump-related political fundraising committee originated from a fugitive Malaysian businessman alleged to be at the center of a global financial scandal, according to people familiar with… Continue reading

“Election Watchdog Hits Jeb Bush’s Super-PAC With Massive Fine for Taking Money From Foreign Nationals”

March 11, 2019, 3:39 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Mother Jones: The Federal Election Commission has hit Right to Rise USA, the super-PAC that backed Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential bid, with a record fine for accepting a seven-figure donation from a company owned by Chinese nationals who were in… Continue reading

Attorney Who Negotiated with Michael Cohen Over Stormy Daniels Payments Said Payments “Done for Political Reasons”

March 11, 2019, 7:56 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

ABC News interview: Keith Davidson, the former attorney for adult-film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal, detailed his role in negotiating hush-money deals to keep both women quiet about alleged affairs with Donald Trump, claiming a… Continue reading

“Campaign Finance Group to 2020 Dems: Disavow and Shut Down All Super PACs”

March 10, 2019, 7:43 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Daily Beast: The fight over big money in the 2020 Democratic primary is reaching a new pitch on Friday with an open letter from advocates aimed at presidential candidates benefiting from a single-candidate Super PAC.End Citizens United, the Progressive Change… Continue reading

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