From a press release I received via email a few days ago
PHOENIX -- The Arizona Democratic Party has filed a complaint against the Republican Governors Association, the RGA Arizona 2010 PAC, the Arizona Republican Party and Gov. Jan Brewer for campaign finance contribution violations, campaign finance reporting violations and improper earmarking of contributions.
The Arizona Democratic Party has evidence that proves that Republican incumbent Governor Jan Brewer and the Republican Governors Association has violated Arizona State campaign finance laws. Allegations include . . .
1. The Republican Governors Association (RGA) FAILED to register as a political committee.
- The RGA has used corporate money to make contributions.
- The RGA has impermissibly earmarked contributions for Brewer.
- Brewer has impermissibly coordinated with RGA and has accepted in-kind contributions as a clean candidate.
The first and last allegations are real biggies. For more info and how to FIGHT BACK, go below the fold
Crossposted at The Progressive Electorate.com
Here is the PDF. I'm glad to see Arizona Democrats on the offensive here. The law is the law, and in Arizona, it looks like the Republican party and Jan Brewer have clearly broken it. I strongly advise one and all to read the full PDF linked above for a more thorough take on this, but I will do my best to sum up these allegations here.
Allegation 1. The Republican Governors Association (RGA) FAILED to register as a political committee.
On Jan Brewer's website the name listed as "Paid For By" is RGA, which is NOT registered in Arizona. RGA AZ is the proper registered political committee. Arizona Dems are alleging (and rightly so) that failure to register violates AZ campaign finance laws.
Quoting the PDF . . .
As it stands, RGA has no obligations to the citizens of Arizona to report its' contributions or expenditures.
~snip~
By not registering as a political committee, RGA has attempted to skirt Arizona's strict campaign finance and clean election laws.
2. The RGA has used corporate money to make contributions.
Remember the $1 million Fox News gave to the RGA? It is an illegal violation of Arizona's prohibition of corporate contributions to political committees. Worse, the only reason the RGA is NOT totally in violation of the law here is that they violated another law by not even registering as a political committee in the first place (See #1. The Republican Governors Association (RGA) FAILED to register as a political committee.)
3. The RGA has impermissibly earmarked contributions for Brewer.
The short, non wonky version is this. The RGA is NOT registered in Arizona as a political committee. Thus, it is violating Arizona election laws. From the PDF
RGA's act of contributing and Brewer's act of receiving those earmarked funds constitutes direct, independent violations of (legal) statute.
Slight edition and bold added by the diarist
4. Brewer has impermissibly coordinated with RGA and has accepted in-kind contributions as a clean candidate.
I think THIS is the big one, right behind Number #1. Brewer has CLEARLY coordinated with the RGA to fundraise through her website and facebook page. This is a violation of Arizona clean election laws, and I am pretty sure there are violations of federal campaign finance laws here as well. Since Brewer is running as a participating clean candidate (remember her one and only dud of an interview, after which she claimed to have participated only to be eligible for public campaign funds?), well, anyway, since Brewer is running as a "clean" candidate she can NOT accept in-kind donations from the RGA. The Arizona Democratic Party alleges, and I agree, that "Brewer has violated Arizona's rules for candidates running clean."
The Arizona Democratic party has requested that Arizona's Secretary of State and the Director of the Citizen's Clean Election Committee "investigate promptly and sanction RGA, RGA AZ, AZ GOP and Brewer appropriately, including requiring Brewer and the AZ GOP to return illegal contributions from RGA and/or RGA AZ."
Wow! Way to FIGHT BACK, Arizona Dems! But that's not enough, so let's throw our weight where it matters here.
Help support Democrat Terry Goddard for Arizona Governor!
You can check out his website here.
If you are an Arizona voter, follow these links where you canvote early if you are an Arizona resident, and you canhelp GOTV too!
If you are NOT an Arizona resident you can still help by following Terry Goddard on Twitter and Facebook
Get Out The fucking VOTE!
GOTV
GOTV
GOTV
GOTV
GOTV
GOTV
GOTV
GOTV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Because this is FRAUD, corruption at it's basest to subvert Democracy and circumvent law. Brewer and the Fox funded RGA can't be allowed to break laws and win elections because of it. Time to kick some political ass in my opinion, and I'm thrilled that the Arizona Democratic party is there with me.
How about you? Who's coming with me?
Because there is only one way to describe what Jan Brewer and the Republican Governor's Association is doing. It's called BREAKING THE LAW!
Don't let em get away with it.
UPDATE: Hat tip to Daily Kos user AZ Independent
You could always contribute to State Dem party
It wouldn't be the collusion that Jan and the Repub's are doing.
linky:: https://azdem.org/...
Peace and love to all.
You can follow me on Twitter @JesseLaGreca
(Note: The title of the diary has been changed. Previously it was MULTIPLE charges, bit I changed it to MULTIPLE claims because, officially, no charges have been filed. My apologies for any confusion.)