Tuesday, September 18, 2018

The case against dark money got a boost today



The Supreme Court on Tuesday insisted that many donations to predominantly conservative political nonprofit groups — what's often called dark money — be disclosed, seven weeks ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.

The ruling closes, at least for now, a loophole that has allowed wealthy donors to finance aggressive ads while staying anonymous. Crafted by the Federal Election Commission nearly 40 years ago, the loophole flourished after the 2010 Citizens United ruling.

The court set aside an order issued by Chief Justice John Roberts on Saturday. [...] Crossroads GPS [founded by Karl Rove], a defendant in the lawsuit, had fought to stall disclosure while it prepares to appeal. It failed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and then appealed to the Supreme Court.

The disclosure requirement is expected to apply to explicitly political ads by nonprofit groups for the remaining weeks of the campaign season.

  NPR

I was surprised - and appalled - that Chief Justice Roberts had the power to issue an order without consulting the rest of the bench, which he did on Saturday - and now he looks like a right idiot.


I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this case.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

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