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October 6, 2008 at 11:17 pm #588294
WSMomParticipant“JOINT STATEMENT OF JUSTICE ROBERT F. UTTER (RET.) AND JUSTICE FAITH IRELAND (RET.)
Today we are filing a citizens’ lawsuit against the Building Industry Association of Washington for what we believe are serious violations of campaign finance laws. We are also notifying the Attorney General that at the end of a statutory waiting period, we intend to bring a similar lawsuit against Dino Rossi.
Based upon our earlier notice, the State Attorney General has already brought suit against a subsidiary of the BIAW for its illegal campaign fundraising that was designed to support Rossi’s candidacy. The actions taken by a Republican Attorney General and a bi-partisan Public Disclosure Commission against the BIAW show that the violations are serious and their prosecution is not a partisan issue, as some have claimed.
However, the Attorney General took no action on our assertion that the BIAW had improperly coordinated with a candidate, and we therefore have brought suit on this claim.
The evidence upon which we base our legal action can be construed to show that Dino Rossi was not just a beneficiary of these illegal activities, but was a knowing and active participant. The evidence shows, moreover, that the attack ads of the BIAW are not really “independent” of their beneficiary Dino Rossi. This is because Dino Rossi helped the BIAW to amass the war chest for these attack ads.
This is an important issue for all races. Special interests are increasingly supporting candidates through “independent expenditures” that are not subject to contribution limits. These “independent” campaigns also tend to contain the most vicious and dubious negative attacks, since the benefitting candidate can say that they have no control over these messages. It is critical to enforce the law that prohibits candidates from providing fundraising assistance to or otherwise coordinating with “independent” committees.
The fact that Dino Rossi had not publicly declared his candidacy when this alleged coordination took place is not a defense. A person becomes a candidate when he helps a political committee to amass a war chest to support his candidacy. And the evidence suggests this is what happened here.
If this coordination took place, then the BIAW’s expenditures would not qualify as an independent expenditure, and would be legally limited to $2,800. The millions of dollars of attack ads that have blanketed our airwaves would be illegal, and further expenditures should be enjoined.
Washington campaign laws are in place to ensure our elections are fair, that all candidates know what they are facing from their opponents in terms of campaign financing. These rules are there to ensure that special interests cannot buy their way into a legislative process designed to serve and protect the interests of all citizens. Without enforcement our laws are meaningless.”
October 7, 2008 at 2:53 pm #642528
WSMomParticipantI have to wonder, why are we not hearing about this in the Seattle Times??
“No, not all the facts have been revealed, but the facts we know are damning. The BIAW did create “a fund for Rossi” with the sole intent of influencing the 2008 gubernatorial race. The BIAW did ask the Master Builders Association to contribute over half a million dollars to this fund, for that the express purpose. And when the MBA hesitated, Rossi did call three board members to press them to cooperate. The documents are clear. Rossi’s public statements are clear. The context is clear. And the law is very, very clear.
The BIAW is now being prosecuted for numerous “egregious” campaign finance and disclosure violations in relation to this $3.5 million illegal fund… but only after nearly all of the money has been spent attacking Rossi’s opponent. So to wait until this case has wended its way through court before publicly holding Rossi responsible for his actions would only reward him and the BIAW for their perfidy.”
October 7, 2008 at 3:59 pm #642529
HuindekmiParticipanthttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008234403_rossi07.html
Granted, this is just a feed from the AP, but it is in the Times.
October 7, 2008 at 5:20 pm #642530
beachdrivegirlParticipantI guess I don’t understand how this whole thing works. I am still torn as to who to vote for in the governor’s race this year. These allegations’ may sway me either way. If they are indeed accurate I will not support Rossi. If they aren’t accurate I am not sure if I want to support Gregoire because of the false accusations her supporters have made.
I guess I kind of don’t understand why these lawsuits are taking place.
The first area where I do not understand the lawsuit, is why they would bring this lawsuit against Rossi? He was not running at the time and his campaign has not actually received any of the money from the BIAW PAC? “A person becomes a candidate when he helps a political committee to amass a war chest to support his candidacy.” I completely disagree with this. My understanding is that the BIAW PAC has been involved in all Washington State elections since at least 2001. Yes they typically are very pro-Republican but they are not just Pro-Rossi. So why are we not going through Democrat PAC’s and inspecting those to make sure Democrat running mates didn’t help them campaign in the past? Maybe I am wrong, but I would guess that most would be surprised at what they saw. My understanding is that although he did call members on behalf of the BIAW PAC he was not suggesting that he was a candidate. Who knows maybe he was trying to thank them for their past support of him. Furthermore, the BIAW never gave the Rossi campaign a dime, so they are not capped @ the $2,800 limit.
The second thing I don’t understand is how this is all illegal for the BIAW to campaign? They have been a PAC for years (again from my understanding) so why is it that this year they are having a lawsuit brought against them? Can someone please explain.
My last concern is that this does seem more like a citizens lawsuit and not something are state should be involved in. Personally, it concerns me that, my tax dollars are going to pay for a law suit that to me does not seem justified and will probably be thrown out in court.
And on a side note, I am concerned that the horseasses.org is misrepresenting the BIAW PAC by saying it is out of money for more advertisements. They still have over $2 million that they are currently sitting on.
October 8, 2008 at 6:07 am #642531
LightsOutMemberIt doesn’t seem like you are as concerned about Obama’s illegal fundraising. Why is that?
Come on Democrats that’s not change, that’s more of the same.
Fake outrage
October 8, 2008 at 6:27 am #642532
JanSParticipantcould you please give examples of Obama’s illegal fundraising…facts, facts, not generalities or wishful thinking please.
October 8, 2008 at 7:20 am #642533
LightsOutMemberWasn’t sure how many you wanted but here you go. By the way if you don’t research it I guess you’ll never find out.
I am sure the usual suspects will post here and claim these are all lies too. Or maybe it’s just racism? That is this weeks Democratic talking points.
There is definitely some shady stuff going on inside the Obama campaign.
That’s not change, that’s more of the same.
http://flyingdebris.blogspot.com/2008/07/obama-campaign-runs-illegal-raffle-do.html
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=71431
http://politicalinquirer.com/2008/08/01/obamas-illegal-contributions-problem/
October 8, 2008 at 2:28 pm #642534
beachdrivegirlParticipantPersonally, I think that you can always manipulate the situation when it comes to politics and fundraising. That is my concern with this lawsuit.
October 8, 2008 at 6:38 pm #642535
JanSParticipantseems to me that all of those links point to absolutely nothing concrete and proven…just conjecture…and a bit too right wing for my taste. It’s blogs, it’s NOT proof. Tell me something from someone in charge, who has nothing to do with politics. See, that’s the problems with these kinds of things…we believe what we want to believe according to whom we support. People FOR Obama do it too…it’s all bias…
October 8, 2008 at 6:42 pm #642536
JenVMemberKey thing to remember about Rossi, if you’re having doubts about whether to vote for him or not- he wants to lower the minimum wage. Yes, that’s right. LOWER it. It’s already barely a living wage…but what does he care?
October 8, 2008 at 7:56 pm #642537
LightsOutMemberUnfortunately for you, these records are from official documents. Your blog comment makes no sense. They link to stories from “legitimate” news stories. As I stated before this will all be blown off due to your inability to see anything wrong with your candidate. Obama supporters are just like the Bushies. He will be able to do anything he wants in office and you will say zero. In fact I bet all war protests will stop in West Seattle the moment Obama is inaugurated. The left wing is a fraud. As long as their guy is the criminal it’s okay. So we will be watching in February if Obama wins. It will not be quiet.
October 8, 2008 at 8:39 pm #642538
JanSParticipantI disagree…I feel that after the election, and the new prez, whoever it is, is sworn in, that’s when we need to hold his feet to the fire even more.
I’m not blowing anything off…but instead of quoting someone’s opinion in some blog, take us to the source, the proof, to back up your statements. Show me the official documents and the proof that something is illegal….hard to do, isn’t it? Conjecture…that’s all. And I would say the same if this was about McCain. Would you?
October 8, 2008 at 8:45 pm #642539
ZenguyParticipantI make up a fake name and contribute money to Obama and he has commited a crime? Not sure I follow that line of thinking.
October 8, 2008 at 9:37 pm #642540
LightsOutMemberPlaying dumb technique. Good one. We had no clue that this would lead to illegal contributions. We’re shocked.
Have fun with America’s Palestinian Presidency.
October 8, 2008 at 9:43 pm #642541
JenVMemberLightsOut- I found a tin-foil hat lying around….did you lose one?
October 8, 2008 at 9:46 pm #642542
LightsOutMemberYou found it at your house from your blood for oil days.
October 8, 2008 at 10:20 pm #642543
JoBParticipantLightsout..
there was one legitimate illegal fund raising move in the Obama campaign.. and you didn’t find it.
Beachdrivegirl,
it isn’t just politics if what is exposed is illegal. There is no question that the actions of the BIAW were illegal…
and isn’t it just splitting hairs asking whether Rossi was actually a candidate when he made the calls?
I know those hairs will matter in his prosecution, but if wrongdoing matters to you, do you really want a governor who skates around the law by a technical hair?
October 8, 2008 at 10:27 pm #642544
ZenguyParticipantWell, that is is Jen! Lightsout has called no backsies and that he is rubber and you are glue.
October 8, 2008 at 10:28 pm #642545
ZenguyParticipantFor some reason it posted twice…oops
October 8, 2008 at 10:37 pm #642546
AllanEricksonParticipantWell folks, we know at least five compelling facts at the moment: Obama has raised more than twice as much as any other presidential candidate, ever; a huge amount remains unaccounted for as to source and it is reasonably suspected the moeny came from overseas, overseas contributions from foreigners is illegal, the RNC and the FEC have called for investigations.
For more:
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=308272698295150
http://allanerickson.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/obama-money-from-abroad-could-total-33-million-ap/
October 8, 2008 at 10:41 pm #642547
JoBParticipantAllanErickson..
nice to meet you…
i am sure the RNC and the FEC have called for investigations..
but not so sure it is reasonable to assume that contributions that have not yet been accounted for came from overseas.
it’s more likely it’s just more RNC mudslinging…
On the other hand, my guess is that McCain’s campaign wouldn’t bear such close scrutiny..
it’s definite that the lobbyists who run his campaign can’t.
October 8, 2008 at 10:42 pm #642548
JoBParticipantLOL.. great job sourcing yourself:))))
October 8, 2008 at 10:44 pm #642549
beachdrivegirlParticipantI think all political canidates do this to some extint
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