As a community service, I am publishing my friend Fred Karger's Press release here in it's entirety:
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Allegations of Financial Irregularities in Upcoming Election Will Be Investigated
Augusta, Maine -- Californians Against Hate was very pleased to learn that the State of Maine’s Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices will launch an investigation into accusations made against the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and Stand for Marriage Maine PAC (SFMM).
NEWS Release Contact: Fred Karger
October 1, 2009 619-592-2008
Allegations of Financial Irregularities in Upcoming Election Will Be Investigated
Augusta, Maine -- Californians Against Hate was very pleased to learn that the State of Maine’s Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices will launch an investigation into accusations made against the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and Stand for Marriage Maine PAC (SFMM).
Today’s hearing in Augusta, Maine resulted from allegations of financial irregularities leveled by Californians Against Hate founder Fred Karger, and the 3 to 2 vote to investigate was a complete surprise. The Commission's vote to launch an investigation, overrode its staff recommendation of Tuesday.
In a letter, dated September 21, 2009, NOM’s and SFMM’s attorneys, Bopp, Coleson & Bostrom of Terre Haute, Indiana indicate that NOM "makes large contributions to various state ballot measure committees from its general treasury," but claim that, with a few exceptions, the organization "did not solicit or accept designated donations for Maine." The letter also insists that Maine’s registration statute for non-political committees is "unconstitutional because it burdens an association’s right of free speech by requiring such to register and report as if they were political action committees, when they are not political action committees, and when they do not have the major purpose of influencing a Maine ballot question."
The State of California, which investigates fewer than 5% of similar complaints, felt compelled to investigate allegations of election campaign irregularities on the part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church) and, among others, the National Organization for Marriage. That investigation, instigated by a complaint filed by Californians Against Hate, is now in its tenth month.
The State of Iowa is currently contemplating its own investigation, as a result of similar allegations against the National Organization for Marriage lodged by the state’s Interfaith Alliance Action Fund and One Iowa, into NOM’s independent expenditure of $86,060 to influence Iowa District 90’s special election.
NOM's Executive Director Brian Brown testified a this morning's hearing along with his attorney Barry Bostrom. Brown was insistant that his start-up organization did nothing wrong.
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Here are some links to news coverage of the story:
WGME CBS TV Portland, ME
San Francisco Examiner
Bangor Daily News