Secret donors on ballot measures lead to record fine
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Sacramento -- - State investigators shed new light on so-called dark money Thursday after announcing a record $1 million fine against two Arizona nonprofits that attempted to secretly sway California voters in last year's election.
The Fair Political Practices Commission ordered the Center to Protect Patient Rights and Americans for Responsible Leadership to pay the fine - the largest in the political watchdog's history - for illegally funneling $15 million into campaigns over two high-profile and bitterly fought ballot measures last year.
The money, contributions from individuals - most whose identities remain secret - passed through several conservative out-of-state organizations before it ended up with two groups that ultimately donated the funds to campaigns in support of Proposition 32, a measure to restrict union political activity, and in opposition to Proposition 30, Gov. Jerry Brown's tax-raising measure. California voters rejected Prop. 32 and approved Prop. 30 in November.
The FPPC also ordered the two groups that donated the $15 million to pay the state an amount equal to what they improperly spent on the California campaigns.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Secret-donors-on-ballot-measures-get-record-fine-4924283.php
The AP story "California issues largest campaign-reporting fine" quotes the report:
The LA Times article "California fines groups $16 million for funneling money to campaigns" further elaborates:
The case highlighted how some big-ticket donors have sought to influence political campaigns by relying on off-the-books methods. Anonymous donations have exploded in popularity since 2010, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Citizens United case that many nonprofits can spend unlimited money on elections.
The AP quoted Ravel regarding the second bolded point: "Almost $29 million was given by donors who chose not to stand up for their political views but instead wanted to influence elections but hide from public view."
Back on October 20, 2012, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on these mysterious donations in a column titled Mysterious contribution draws scrutiny: "This week, a Phoenix nonprofit corporation called Americans for Responsible Leadership gave $11 million to the California Small Business Action Committee campaign supporting Proposition 32 and opposing Proposition 30." On Election Day 2012, the Chronicle published a story: True source of $11M contribution revealed.
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