RECENT LOBBYING, ETHICS & CAMPAIGN FINANCE UPDATES

We read the news, cut through the noise and provide you the notes.

Welcome to Compliance Notes from Nossaman’s Government Relations & Regulation Group – a periodic digest of the headlines, statutory and regulatory changes and court cases involving campaign finance, lobbying compliance, election law and government ethics issues at the federal, state and local level.
 
Our attorneys, policy advisors and compliance consultants are available to discuss any questions or how specific issues may impact your business.
 
If there is a particular subject or jurisdiction you’d like to see covered, please let us know.

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Campaign Finance & Lobbying Compliance

The Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit invalidated part of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) that limited candidates from repaying themselves more than $250,000 in personal loans to their campaigns from funds raised after their election. (Karl Evers-Hillstrom, The Hill)

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is reportedly under federal investigation related to campaign contributions made by employees when he was in the private sector. According to reports, some employees felt pressured by DeJoy to make financial contributions and some were allegedly reimbursed for their contributions through bonuses. (Katie Benner, The New York Times)

California: The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has said it is investigating former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli for allegedly misusing campaign funds by making payments to a girlfriend and executive at his winery and by spending on alcohol and travel. (Julie Johnson, Cynthia Dizikes & Alexandria Bordas, San Francisco Chronicle)

Government Ethics & Transparency

Illinois: In a motion to dismiss federal bribery charges, four defendants claimed that their conduct related to hiring individuals for positions at Commonwealth Edison based on recommendations by former Speaker Madigan was “ordinary participation in the political process.” (Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune) Illinois’ new ethics reform bill passed by the legislature, which the governor has indicated he would sign, will not override Chicago’s ethics rules. An earlier version of the bill would have. (Heather Cherone, WTTW)

Social Media Platforms

Through a decision of its Oversight Board, Facebook extended its suspension of former President Donald Trump from the social media platforms for two years. (Shannon Bond, NPR)

Florida: NetChoice and the Computer and Communications Industry Association sued the state of Florida alleging violations of First Amendment free speech rights, which stem from the state’s new law that would punish large social media platforms if they removed content or banned politicians. (Brendan Farrington, AP News)