A read through the PDC filings of Evergreen Progress (interesting for other reasons this blogger will get to in a later post) reveals an October 13th "political contribution" of $35,000 [pdf] to Fuse Votes. What has that liberal activist group been in the news for lately? Working with Knoll Lowney to sue the BIAW and ensnare Dino Rossi in frivolous litigation for the purpose of causing Rossi political harm.
Now, the nakedly partisan lawsuit has been allowed to proceed, forcing Rossi to give a deposition on Wednesday in a circumstance that amounts to judicially enforced political theater.
Knoll Lowney has a history of such frivolous activity. Now, the contribution from Evergreen Progress - which has otherwise spent its money almost exclusively on anti-Rossi TV ads and related consulting fees - makes the true purpose of this lawsuit even more obvious.
Finally, it's worth noting the PDC staff report [pdf] on the facts of this case. PDC staff finds no merit in two of the three allegations made against BIAW. On the third, the dispute amounts to an accounting issue where refunds from an arm of the BIAW (BIAW-MSC) to eleven local affiliates were used as political contributions to ChangePAC. The PDC maintains those contributions should have been reported as contributions from the BIAW-MSC. The BIAW and local affiliates maintain the refunds, owed to those affiliates but agreed to be used as political contributions by them, should thus be credited as contributions from the affiliates themselves.
On the basis of that accounting dispute, news reports of "illegal fundraising" and other nonsense have errantly entered the discourse of this election (if mistakenly misreporting legal contributions is construed as "illegal fundraising" then a host of candidates and political committees in this state in any given election year are guilty as charged). Of course, those sort of negative headlines are exactly what Knoll Lowney and Fuse - and evidently Evergreen Progress - ultimately want.
Let's just not pretend, however, that this is anything other than using the judicial system for a partisan, political stunt.
Posted by Eric Earling at October 27, 2008 10:06 PM | Email ThisWhy not try 2/2?
Posted by: Andy on October 27, 2008 09:55 PMIn addition, we have over 50 taxes in our state and I don't see it getting any better with our current governor.
If Gregoire is re-elected we need to change the Washington State Seal to a tape worm dressed in a three piece suit attached to the small intestine of the tax payer, sucking the life out of him.
Jim Vaughn
Yes, I am a Democrat
What did your research reveal on Lowney's relationship with ACORN and its Washington state president John Jones?
Posted by: 5.62 on October 28, 2008 06:47 AMEric, I don't think that's possible. I do not believe ANYONE ever thought this was anything other than a purely partisan attack on Rossi.
So long as completely phony lawsuits can be started by filing an complaint and paying the filing fee, nothing will change unless there are consequences for abuse of precess. Judges have the ability to dismiss frivolous lawsuits and to compel the originator to pay substantial attorneys fees and costs to the injured parties. Sadly these sanctions are rarely assessed by liberal judges.
Posted by: Paddy on October 28, 2008 12:37 PMWhere are the investigative pieces on Knoll Lowney and his affiliations? Who's paying Lowney's bill? Is he donating any time and if so has it been disclosed through the PDC?
Where are the investigative pieces of Aaron Ostrom (head of Fuse) and his affiliations? Does Mr. Ostrom conduct his activities on City of Seattle time and/or does he use any City of Seattle resources in his efforts?
What's the relationship between Evergreen Progress and Fuse?
Just a bunch of concerned citizens I'm sure, but shouldn't the "Watchdogs" in the msm be making sure the public and the democratic process is safe?
Posted by: SF Columbia on October 28, 2008 04:39 PMWhere are the investigative pieces on Knoll Lowney and his affiliations? Who's paying Lowney's bill? Is he donating any time and if so has it been disclosed through the PDC?
Where are the investigative pieces of Aaron Ostrom (head of Fuse) and his affiliations? Does Mr. Ostrom conduct his activities on City of Seattle time and/or does he use any City of Seattle resources in his efforts?
What's the relationship between Evergreen Progress and Fuse?
Just a bunch of concerned citizens I'm sure, but shouldn't the "Watchdogs" in the msm be making sure the public and the democratic process is safe?
Posted by: SF Columbia on October 28, 2008 04:39 PMIt all is coming to a head and the pot is going to boil over.
But the ones that prefer the GOP are all the evil ones right??
Posted by: Col. Hogan on October 28, 2008 06:44 PMWhat is the relationship between Fuse Washington (501(c)(3)), Fuse Educational Fund (501(c)(4) also in existence for Pollution Abatement and Control), Fuse Votes and Evergreen Progress?
Where is Joel Connelly when the public needs him? ;-)
And how ironic is it that organizations ostensibly formed for Pollution Control are nothing more than a cesspool of political sewage?
Posted by: SF Columbia on October 29, 2008 11:45 AM