Disclosure
Washington Post: IRS official who scrutinized conservative groups facing harassment, attorney says
By Juliet EilperinThe official, Holly Paz, has been on administrative leave since June in connection with the controversy over how the IRS scrutinized conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status. Paz was involved in subjecting some tea party groups to scrutiny and helped conduct an internal review of the program, but has not been formally accused of wrongdoing.In a Tuesday letter to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Paz’s attorney wrote that she and her family have suffered repeated threats and harassment since Republicans suggested she had been inconsistent in her testimony to the panel.
Independent Groups
CPI: Secretive super PAC may be breaking federal law
By Dave LevinthalA supposedly Texas-based super PAC is living up to its hush-hush name — and potentially breaking federal law in the process.Secretive Politics, which in August 2012 filed organizational paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, has yet to submit one mandatory campaign finance report or otherwise disclose a dime of what it’s raised or spent, according to agency records.
Issue Speech
Colorado –– Gazette: Election complaint filed against recall candidate Bernie Herpin
By Megan SchraderAnn Schmitt says in the complaint that candidate committees are supposed to refrain from spending money or advocating in issue campaigns.The recall portion of the ballot is an issue campaign – with committees advocating for voters to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to kick Morse out of office.The second portion of the ballot is a candidate campaign – with the Republican candidate Herpin advocating for votes to replace Morse if he is recalled.
Candidates, Politicians, Campaigns, and Parties
Politico: John Boehner on the hunt for D.C. cash
By ANNA PALMER and JAKE SHERMANHouse Speaker John Boehner is trying to squeeze even more money out of Washington.The Ohio Republican’s latest fundraising effort, called Capitol Program by his team, is meant to coax D.C. insiders to write $10,000 checks to the speaker’s political organization.
The Hill: Pro-gun group hosting gun-shooting fundraiser for GOP Senate candidate
By Alexandra JaffeThe unusual fundraiser, first reported by the Sunlight Foundation, is being hosted by the New Jersey Second Amendment Society, which, according to its website, is “a gun rights advocacy group that lobbies against unreasonable gun control laws.” Lonegan is a staunch opponent of new gun control laws.
Lobbying and Ethics
Washington Examiner: Tony Podesta hires Mary Landrieu’s husband to sell lobbying townhouse
By TIMOTHY P. CARNEYThis summer, Podesta put the house on the market for $1.89 million, and the real estate listing implores house-shoppers to: “Live, Entertain & Shape Issues of the Day in this Superbly Located 2 Level Townhouse.”When the deal closes – and the house is currently under contract – Podesta will cut a big check to Snellings. The industry standard is a 3 percent fee for the listing agent. That would mean K Street lobbyist Tony Podesta would cut a check of around $50,000 to Snellings, thus enriching Sen. Landrieu.
State and Local
Alabama –– AL.com: Sorority offered free drinks to members to vote in Tuscaloosa City Board of Education race
By Melissa Brown“They would really appreciate/need your vote to win this election. It’s going to be really tight, and it is SO IMPORTANT that they get the Greek Vote. I told both of them that I would do my best to make sure that I got every Chi O that was registered to the polls. There is a big incentive for you going as well!!”The email goes on to list five “incentives,” including that both the sorority and individuals who vote would receive points to go toward UA’s Panhellenic and the sorority’s in-house point systems, which reward participation within the system.
Ohio –– Cleveland.com: Dems, others pounce on questions over Treasurer Josh Mandel’s use of a vehicle owned by his Senate campaign
By Robert HiggsBut some of Mandel’s foes pounced Tuesday on reports that Mandel was involved in an accident while traveling in Northwest Ohio in March. He was riding in a vehicle owned by the campaign from his bid for the U.S. Senate, months after the November 2012 election. Mandel lost that election to Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.Under federal campaign finance laws, property owned by the Senate campaign, in this case a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, cannot be used for personal use. Nor can it be used by another campaign.
