Good morning. What’s in the political law news this morning?
Square in patent lawsuit
Square is a technology you may remember many believe has an interesting use in the political fundraising space. It looks like the company is involved in patent litigation. More here.
What Super PACs spent in 2010
The Post has more.
The 72 super PACs, all formed this year, together spent $83.7 million on the election. The figures provide the best indication yet of the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions that opened the door for wealthy individuals and corporations to give unlimited contributions.
Update on matter involving Rep. Jerry Lewis
The LA Times has an update on an investigation involving Rep. Jerry Lewis.
After four years, federal authorities in Los Angeles have dropped an investigation of Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), who came under scrutiny for his ties to lobbyists whose clients received millions of dollars in congressional earmarks.
I just happen to be reading The Wrong Stuff: The Extraordinary Saga of Randy “Duke” Cunningham, the Most Corrupt Congressman Ever Caught, which also discusses Rep. Lewis. It’s on Amazon here.
A few interesting political money stories
Politico has a quick look at what the latest FEC reports show here. Politico’s look at the O’Donnell campaign’s latest report show they had some money left over after the election.
Facebook’s Washington presence
Is the topic of this Post report.
The Freshman money race
After winning election with an anti-Washington battle cry, Canseco and other incoming Republican freshmen have rapidly embraced the capital’s culture of big-money fundraisers, according to new campaign-finance reports and other records.
What the watchdogs earn
Is the topic of this Roll Call report.
The Senate and the Ensign matter
Is the topic of this Times editorial this morning.
There are supposedly strong Senate strictures against revolving-door lobbying abuses and quid pro quo dealings. Senator Barbara Boxer, chairwoman of the ethics panel, has said only that an inquiry is ongoing. The Senate has a responsibility to the public and to its own reputation not to duck the Ensign affair.
