I have big news about our work to combat the influence of dark money in Washington state elections.
In 2013, the national corporate lobby group for processed foods, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), unlawfully concealed the source of more than $10 million in dark money spent to influence the vote on a GMO labeling initiative.
I took them to court and a judge ruled that the GMA intentionally violated our campaign finance laws. GMA fought that decision by appealing, seeking a slap on the wrist for its intentional violation.
Last week, the state Supreme Court upheld the $18 million penalty against GMA for intentionally violating our campaign finance laws.
If you agree that corporate special interests must be held accountable for breaking the law, will you add your name here?
The most important outcome of this historic case is the affirmation of two voter-approved provisions in our state’s campaign finance laws — one that ties the penalty amount to the amount of money concealed; and another that allows a judge to triple a penalty for intentional violations.
These provisions were critical to our success and Washingtonians can be proud that our state has the tools to combat the influence of dark money in our elections.
Today, we celebrate this win for democracy, fairness and transparency — but there are still powerful special interests trying to play by their own rules.
Corporate special interests who don’t play by the rules must be held accountable to the rule of law. Can you add your name now if you agree?
Thank you,
Bob
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