Category Archives: conflict of interest laws

Powerful Amicus Briefs Supporting Cert. in Siegelman Case

March 2, 2012, 12:32 pmbribery, campaign finance, chicanery, conflict of interest lawsRick Hasen

In early February I flagged a cert. petition involving Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman, saying I suspected and hoped the petition gets a lot of attention, because it raises important and recurring issues which have never been fully resolved about… Continue reading

What’s Wrong With Washington, Continued

March 1, 2012, 8:30 amcampaign finance, conflict of interest laws, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

If Senator Snowe moves to K street, she could make $1 million per year as a lobbyist. As I explain, the revolving door is one of the most dangerous aspects of Washington lobbying. I’ll have more to say about… Continue reading

STOCK Act Will Pass, Do Nothing

March 1, 2012, 7:37 amconflict of interest laws, ethics investigations, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

So says Politico.

“CFTC Adopts Pay-to-Play Rule for Swap Dealers”

February 27, 2012, 8:59 pmcampaign finance, conflict of interest lawsRick Hasen

Allen and Overy client advisory.

“Sheriff Baca admits violating campaign endorsement law”

February 17, 2012, 2:02 pmcampaigns, chicanery, conflict of interest lawsRick Hasen

LA Times: “Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca admitted Friday that he broke state law by making a political endorsement while in uniform. Baca’s acknowledgment of the violation came after inquiries from The Times about a campaign video on… Continue reading

Quote of the Day

February 16, 2012, 8:08 amchicanery, conflict of interest laws, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

“It’s our system of checks and balances. They deposit checks—it increases their balances.” Jon Stewart, on Congress’s insider trading controversy and the STOCK Act

Parallels Between Bachus Investigation and Credit Mobilier Scandal

February 13, 2012, 1:04 pmcampaign finance, conflict of interest laws, ethics investigationsRick Hasen

WaPo explores.

“Rep. Bachus faces insider-trading investigation”

February 9, 2012, 7:59 pmconflict of interest laws, ethics investigations, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

AP: “The Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee over possible violations of insider-trading laws, according to individuals familiar with the case. Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), who holds one of the most… Continue reading

Kenneth Gross Updates Where We Are on the STOCK Act Bills

February 9, 2012, 8:48 amcampaign finance, conflict of interest laws, ethics investigations, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Here. UPDATE: Sunlight redlines the House and Senate versions of the bill.

“STOCK Act’s Pace Worries Experts”

February 9, 2012, 7:44 amconflict of interest laws, ethics investigations, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Roll Call: “Differences between the Senate and House versions of legislation banning insider trading by Members and staff have experts worried about what provisions will make the final cut as the two chambers rush to pass the bill and claim… Continue reading

“Capitol Assets: Some legislators send millions to groups connected to their relatives”

February 8, 2012, 7:24 amconflict of interest laws, ethics investigations, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

The latest installment in WaPo‘s must-read series on members of Congress and self-interest.

“Senate Passage of STOCK Act Marks Important, But Initial, Step”

February 3, 2012, 11:56 amconflict of interest lawsRick Hasen

Meredith McGehee blogs.

“Increasing number of ethics probes rattles House Republicans”

February 1, 2012, 7:47 amconflict of interest laws, ethics investigations, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

The Hill: “An increasing number of House Republicans are getting wrapped up in allegations of ethics violations ahead of the November elections, handing Democrats easy campaign fodder and putting the GOP in an unexpected bind.”