Political Activity Law/Political Law/Election Law

Day: December 18, 2008

  • Donors to William J. Clinton Foundation

    The Times reports on the recent release of the identity of donors to the William J. Clinton Foundation.  The Foundation’s website seems overwhelmed right now, but the Times notes:

    The list released on Thursday does not detail the precise amounts of the donations, nor the dates they were given, instead breaking down contributors by general dollar ranges. Mr. Clinton’s aides said they have labored for the last few weeks trying to track down and notify the 208,000 people, companies and governments that have chipped in since 1997 that their identities would be made public.

  • Vitale Indicted

    Richard Vitale was indicted in Massachusetts today.  According to reports, he is a “close friend” of House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.

    Richard Vitale is accused of secretly pushing legislation on behalf of the ticket brokers, which included directly lobbying DiMasi and House Speaker Pro Tempore Thomas Petrolati on several occasions.

    …

    Vitale, 63, and his company were indicted on 10 counts. The charges include two counts of failing to file timely registration statements; making an illegal agreement for compensation contingent on the passage of legislation; and four counts of making campaign contributions in excess of the $200 maximum per year. WN Advisors is charged with two counts of failing to file timely registration statements and making an illegal agreement for compensation contingent on the passage of legislation.

    …

    The Massachusetts Association of Ticket Brokers paid Vitale $60,000 as it pursued legislation that would deregulate their industry. Vitale had given DiMasi a rare, below-market-rate third mortgage in 2006 that DiMasi repaid after the Globe wrote about the arrangement.

    Vitale has not acknowledged that he lobbied for the group. As a lobbyist, he would be prohibited by the state’s conflict of interest law from giving DiMasi the mortgage.

  • FEC Passes HLOGA Language

    The Federal Election Commission approved language of a rule addressing lobbyist-bundled contributions by a 6-0 vote today.  Contrary to reports, the rule language will not become law until thirty days after the Commission approves its explanation and justification for the rule (expected in mid-January) and transmits the final rule and explanation to Congress.