Courts & Law

Pennsylvania Judge stops Republicans from demanding photo ID

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Posted by AzblueMeanie: Remember the protracted legal battle in the Pennsylvania courts just a few weeks ago over photo ID? The court ruled that poll workers can ask for a photo ID, but if a voter does not have one they are still permitted to vote, just as they always have. There are widespread reports … Read more

Update – ‘dark money’ Americans for Responsible Leadership discloses donors: more non-profits

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The United State Supreme Court did not grant any new orders this morning, so the lawyers for the "dark money" Americans for Responsible Leadership were forced to comply with the California Supreme Court's order. As you might expect, the disclosure only reveals additional layers of anonymity behind more non-profit organizations. Controversial Arizona nonprofit releases name of contributors — more nonprofits – latimes.com:

In a stunning reversal, an obscure Arizona nonprofit at the center of a legal battle over secret political contributions released on Monday morning the identity of its contributors, which it had been fighting tooth and nail to keep secret.

But the disclosure did little to shed light on who was behind the $11-million donation to a California campaign fund. The Arizona group, Americans for Responsible Leadership, identified its contributors only as other nonprofits.

The money was passed from Americans for Job Security to the Center to Protect Patient Rights to Americans for Responsible Leadership, according to state authorities. From there, the money was sent to a California campaign committee fighting Gov. Jerry Brown's tax-hike plan, Proposition 30, and pushing a separate ballot measure to curb unions' political influence, Proposition 32.

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Americans for Responsible Leadership reached an agreement with the commission to reveal its contributors on Monday morning, allowing state authorities to skip the audit process. However, the disclosure of more nonprofits did little to satisfy activists who were seeking contributors' true identities.

Derek Cressman of Common Cause, which originally filed the complaint against the Arizona nonprofit, called the group "irresponsible, cowardly money launderers."

Still, Ann Ravel, chairwoman of the Fair Political Practices Commission, said in a statement that the disclosure was "a significant and lasting victory for transparency in the political process.”

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In a statement on Monday morning, the Arizona nonprofit's legal team did not explain why they stopped fighting the court order, saying only that a settlement was reached after "late-night discussions."

I previously posted about a Yellow Sheet Report that identified Sean Noble of Center to Protect Patient Rights, a front group that launders campaign funds for the Koch brothers, in Americans for Responsible Leadership – a Koch brothers 'dark money' front group (excerpt):

Update – California Supreme Court orders ‘dark money’ Americans for Responsible Leadership to disclose donors, group defies court order

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The California Supreme Court issued an order late Sunday to allow California's political watchdog to identify contributors to an Arizona group's last-minute infusion of $11 million to the campaigns opposing Gov. Jerry Brown's tax initiative and supporting an antiunion measure on Tuesday's ballot. Late drama over donations: After ordering written arguments through … Read more

Update – California Supreme Court to rule on ‘dark money’ Americans for Responsible Leadership

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The California Supreme Court ordered written arguments submitted this weekend on the state Fair Political Practices Commission's request to examine records of the nonprofit Americans for Responsible Leadership, and determine whether its contributors can be publicly named before Tuesday's election. Arizona group won't say who gave $11 million: State officials' frantic efforts … Read more