Category Archives: chicanery

Federal Prosecutors Agree to Drop Charges Against Rep. Schock

March 7, 2019, 11:46 amcampaign finance, chicaneryJustin Levitt

A deferred prosecution agreement says that charges (including tax fraud, wire fraud, and theft of funds based on misappropriation of Congressional and campaign funds for personal use) will be dropped against Rep. Aaron Schock if he repays $68,000 and pays… Continue reading

“Michael Cohen sues Trump Organization for legal fees resulting from Mueller probe, porn star lawsuit”

March 7, 2019, 11:45 amcampaign finance, chicaneryJustin Levitt

This ought to be fascinating. Not least because if it goes anywhere, it may actually shed some light on what Cohen and the Trump Organization actually thought was legal representation and what was not. There’s been an awful lot… Continue reading

“Second Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Census Citizenship Question Plans”

March 6, 2019, 3:09 pmchicanery, redistricting, Supreme Court, The Voting WarsJustin Levitt

Big (and voluminous) news from California: in a 126-page opinion, Judge Seeborg has enjoined the inclusion of a question regarding citizenship on the 2020 census. The decision follows on Judge Furman’s opinion out of New York, but is more… Continue reading

House Oversight Requests Documents re 2018 Georgia Elections

March 6, 2019, 3:07 pmchicanery, provisional ballots, voter registration, voting, Voting Rights Act, voting technologyJustin Levitt

The House Oversight Committee asked Georgia Governor Brian Kemp today for a set of documents related to voters’ difficulties in Georgia in 2018. So far, it’s just a request. And Kemp appears unimpressed.

“Hillary Clinton’s claims about voter suppression in Georgia and Wisconsin”

March 6, 2019, 3:06 pmchicanery, election administration, voting, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

WaPo’s FactChecker reviews some of Hillary Clinton’s claims about the 2016 election at the Selma Bloody Sunday commemorative service for this past weekend.

Stolen Votes North of the Border

March 6, 2019, 3:04 pmchicanery, internet voting, political parties, primariesJustin Levitt

Steven Rosenfeld sees parallels between a 2017 Alberta provincial leadership campaign and the NC09 scandal, with lessons for 2020 primaries considering means to further participation online or by phone.

Nevada State Senate Majority Leader Resigns Based on Federal Campaign Finance Violations

March 6, 2019, 3:03 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryJustin Levitt

Nevada Senate Maj. Leader Kelvin Atkinson resigned yesterday, “announcing he would be pleading guilty to federal charges of misappropriation of campaign funds for personal use and taking ‘full responsibility’ for his actions.” The resignation letter is here. There… Continue reading

Dates Set for NC CD9 Do-Over

March 5, 2019, 4:14 amchicanery, RemediesDan Tokaji

NYT reports: The state elections board, which concluded last month that fraud had tainted November’s voting for the seat, ruled on Monday that a new open primary would be held in the district on May 14 and a new… Continue reading

“North Carolina Democrats see opportunity in do-over election”

March 4, 2019, 8:06 amcampaigns, chicaneryDan Tokaji

AP: A ballot-fraud scandal that brought down a Republican candidate and led North Carolina to order a do-over congressional election could give the Democrats a strong shot at taking back a seat that has been held by the GOP… Continue reading

“Hiding in Plain Sight: PAC-Connected Activists Set Up ‘Local News’ Outlets”

March 4, 2019, 5:56 amcampaign finance, chicaneryDan Tokaji

Snopes: On 6 February 2017, a website of uncertain origin named “The Tennessee Star” was born. At the time, it was unclear who funded or operated this “local newspaper,” which was largely filled with freely licensed content from organizations… Continue reading

“NC Board of Elections to decide date of new District 9 election”

March 4, 2019, 3:31 amcampaigns, chicaneryDan Tokaji

Meeting today.

Open Secrets Describes Hidden Money Trail Supporting Kavanaugh, Judicial Nominations with Leonard Leo and PR Firm Which Concocted Zillowgate Nonsense Against Dr. Ford at Center

February 28, 2019, 2:42 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Open Secrets: Newly obtained tax records shed additional light on the web of “dark money” organizations tied to President Donald Trump’s top judicial adviser that were used to funnel millions to organizations that boosted the Supreme Court nominations of… Continue reading

“Group running robocalls impersonating Trump’s campaign has already raised more than $100,000”

February 28, 2019, 10:22 amcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

CNN: The call sounds like it is coming from President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.It even uses a recording of the President’s voice: “I’m Donald Trump. Tonight I am asking you to defend our very dangerous southern border, out… Continue reading