Category Archives: chicanery

“Ballot order flip would put Republican’s name first”

July 6, 2016, 11:38 amcampaigns, chicanery, election administrationRick Hasen

News from North Carolina (as you’d expect): If signed by Gov. Pat McCrory, a change in state election law approved in the final hours of the 2016 legislative session would ensure the name of Phil Berger Jr. appears first on… Continue reading

“Is the Supreme Court Clueless About Corruption? Ask Jack Abramoff”

July 5, 2016, 9:19 ambribery, chicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Carl Hulse in the NYT: [corrected link] Take it from a corrupt lobbyist: When it comes to peddling influence and buying politicians, the Supreme Court just doesn’t get it. Jack Abramoff, the former superlobbyist who ended up in prison,… Continue reading

George Will on the McDonnell Case and Corruption

July 5, 2016, 9:07 ambribery, campaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Here, at National Review.

“Kobach uses state plane, government funds to talk at GOP events”

July 5, 2016, 8:43 amchicaneryRick Hasen

LJ World: At government expense, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach frequently flies in the state-owned executive aircraft to promote voter ID efforts outside of Kansas and to speak at Republican political events across the state, according to documents… Continue reading

Influence of Justice Scalia Felt in Unanimous Decision Throwing Out Gov. McDonnell Conviction

June 27, 2016, 7:57 amchicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

The Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling throwing out the conviction of Gov. McDonnell (while leaving open the possibility of a retrial on a narrower theory of the case) is sensible and courageous, and shows the continuing important influence of Justice Scalia… Continue reading

Gov McDonnell Opinion Coming from SCOTUS Monday: What to Expect

June 23, 2016, 8:27 ambribery, chicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

We know this because it is the last day of the term. It is possible there’s another 4-4 tie, but I doubt it. I’m expecting a Justice Breyer majority opinion reversing the conviction, with a dissent by Ginsburg (maybe joined… Continue reading

“Convicted Ponzi schemer: I’ll conduct $50 million marketing campaign for Trump”

June 15, 2016, 6:55 amcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Politico reports.

“Russian government hackers penetrated DNC, stole opposition research on Trump”

June 14, 2016, 8:43 amcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

WaPo: Russian government hackers penetrated the computer network of the Democratic National Committee and gained access to the entire database of opposition research on GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, according to committee officials and security experts who responded to… Continue reading

“Former state Sen. Ron Calderon’s guilty plea in corruption case marks blow to political dynasty”

June 14, 2016, 7:04 ambribery, chicaneryRick Hasen

LAT: Monday brought a crushing blow to the family dynasty as Ron Calderon, a former state senator, pleaded guilty in the case to mail fraud, conceding he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from undercover FBI agents and… Continue reading

“Voter Fraud Probe In California Turns Into Voter Intimidation Boondoggle”

June 10, 2016, 9:30 amchicanery, election administrationRick Hasen

TPM: Having police come to your home wielding weapons and asking questions about your voter registration status just days before an election sends a clear signal. That signal wasn’t lost on residents of Hmong communities in rural northern California,… Continue reading

“O.C. judge who was censured for having sex in chambers wins reelection bid”

June 8, 2016, 8:40 pmchicanery, judicial electionsRick Hasen

With student interns, no less. Sigh. He was censured in 2014 for having sex with his intern and a practicing attorney, according to the Commission on Judicial Performance, an oversight board that investigates judicial misconduct. He was also… Continue reading

“The case of the mysterious congressional donations”

June 3, 2016, 11:15 amcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Must-read Javier Panzar, on what could well develop into a criminal investigation.

“Activists file federal lawsuit to challenge Baltimore primary”

June 2, 2016, 9:54 amchicanery, election administrationRick Hasen

Baltimore Sun: A group of activists have petitioned a U.S. District Court judge to order a new primary for Baltimore voters, alleging a series of a irregularities and a “vote-buying scheme” marred the election outcome. Members of the group… Continue reading

“State rep resigns, charged in voter fraud”

May 31, 2016, 7:58 pmchicanery, election administrationRick Hasen

New Hampshire Union Leader: A state representative who resigned Friday has been charged with felony witness tampering and bribery related to an investigation into possible voter fraud. Rep. Don Leeman, R-Rochester, is charged with trying to convince a person to… Continue reading