WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Giffords filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the NRA for violations of campaign finance laws dating back to 2014. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Giffords by Campaign Legal Center Action, alleges that the NRA engaged in a broad pattern of activity that violated the Federal Election Campaign Act. Since 2014, the NRA has made as much as $35 million in unlawful, excessive, and unreported in-kind campaign contributions to seven federal candidates, including candidates for US Senate in 2014, 2016, and 2018, and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
[….]
Giffords filed a series of complaints in 2018 to alert the Federal Election Commission that the NRA was engaged in an unlawful scheme that violated federal election law. When the FEC did nothing, Giffords, represented by Campaign Legal Center Action, took the Commission to court. On September 30, the US District Court in Washington issued an order compelling the FEC to act on the complaints within 30 days. The FEC once again failed to do its job, and after 30 days elapsed, the Court ruled that Giffords could sue the NRA directly for violations of federal campaign finance law.
[….]
The lawsuit seeks several forms of relief, including an order preventing the NRA from violating the law in future elections, and a penalty equal to the amount of money unlawfully spent, which the NRA would pay to the US treasury—potentially as much as $35 million. [….]
The races at the heart of the lawsuit include the following….
[….]
2018: Josh Hawley in the race for Senate in Missouri (vs. Claire McCaskill)…
“The most dangerous place to stand in Washington D.C. is any place between Senator Josh Hawley and a live microphone” – Charles P. Pierce
Today on social media:
Josh Hawley @HawleyMO
Thanks @Walmart for your insulting condescension. Now that you’ve insulted 75 million Americans, will you at least apologize for using slave labor?
[….] 12:52 PM · Dec 30, 2020
Apparently someone at Walmart forgot to log out of their corporate Twitter.
Josh Hawley (r) doubles down with faux populism:
Josh Hawley @HawleyMO
Or maybe you’d like to apologize for the pathetic wages you pay your workers as you drive mom and pop stores out of business 12:54 PM · Dec 30, 2020
You think he knew about that before November 4, 2019? Just asking.
Name WALMART INC. PAC FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT
City and state BENTONVILLE, AR, 727166209
Year to date $1,000.00
Contribution information
Amount $1,000.00
Receipt date November 4, 2019
Report year 2019
Memo HAWLEY VICTORY COMMITTEE JFC MEMO; JFC ATTRIB: HAWLEY VICTORY COMMITTEE
Reported on Form 3 on line 12
Election type PRIMARY
Recipient information
Committee JOSH HAWLEY FOR SENATE
Political party REPUBLICAN PARTY
Type Senate
State Missouri
Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].
We already know what you are. You’ve just been haggling over the price.
Marshall Cohen @MarshallCohen
BREAKING: The FBI and federal prosecutors in NYC are scrutinizing Rudy Giuliani’s financial dealings with the two men charged today. The men, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, are charged with pumping Russian money into US political campaigns. (reporting from @evanperez @ShimonPro) 3:40 PM · Oct 10, 2019
Jason Hancock @J_Hancock
Global Energy Producers, which allegedly was used to illegally funnel foreign money to political campaigns, last year gave $325,000 to the Trump super PAC America First Action.
That PAC spent $1.7 million in 2018 opposing @clairecmc in Missouri.
[…] 1:46 PM · Oct 10, 2019
PARNAS, LEV GREAT AMERICA COMMITTEE FL LOAN CRIME INVESTIGATIVE GROUP 06/29/2018 $5,000.00
PARNAS, LEV KEVIN MCCARTHY FOR CONGRESS FL LOAN CRIME INVESTIGATIVE GROUP 06/29/2018 $2,700.00
PARNAS, LEV PROTECT THE HOUSE FL LOAN CRIME INVESTIGATIVE GROUP 06/29/2018 $11,000.00
PARNAS, LEV NRCC FL LOAN CRIME INVESTIGATIVE GROUP 06/29/2018 $3,300.00
PARNAS, LEV MR. PETE SESSIONS FOR CONGRESS FL GLOBAL ENERGY PRODUCERS 06/25/2018 $2,700.00
PARNAS, LEV NRCC NY GLOBAL ENERGY PRODUCERS 06/06/2018 $500.00
PARNAS, LEV NORTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PARTY FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/27/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA – FEDERAL FL CO-FOUNDER AND CEO 10/27/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV NEW JERSEY REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/27/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PARTY FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/27/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV TENNESSEE REPUBLICAN PARTY FEDERAL ELECTION ACCOUNT FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/27/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV CONNECTICUT REPUBLICAN PARTY FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/27/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV WYOMING REPUBLICAN PARTY, INC. FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV REPUBLICAN FEDERAL COMMITTEE OF PENNSYLVANIA FL FRAUD GUARENTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY FEDERAL ACCT FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV MISSOURI REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE-FEDERAL FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV REPUBLICAN PARTY OF WISCONSIN FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV DONALD J. TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT, INC. FL INFORMATION REQUESTED 10/24/2016 $2,700.00
PARNAS, LEV NY REPUBLICAN FEDERAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV REPUBLICAN PARTY OF VIRGINIA INC FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV NORTH DAKOTA REPUBLICAN PARTY FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV MISSISSIPPI REPUBLICAN PARTY FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV WEST VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN PARTY, INC. FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV REPUBLICAN PARTY OF LOUISIANA FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV TRUMP VICTORY FL FRAUD GAURANTEE 10/24/2016 $50,000.00
PARNAS, LEV KANSAS REPUBLICAN PARTY FL FRAUD GUARANTEE 10/24/2016 $661.90
PARNAS, LEV REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE FL INFORMATION REQUESTED PER BEST EFFORTS 10/24/2016 $33,400.00
Contributor information
Name PARNAS, LEV
City and state BOCA RATON, FL, 334334889
Occupation CO-FOUNDER AND CEO
Employer FRAUD GUARANTEE
Year to date $661.90
Contribution information
Amount $661.90
Receipt date October 24, 2016
Report year 2016
Memo JFC TRANSFER – TRUMP VICTORY
Reported on Form 3X on line 12
Election type PRIMARY
Recipient information
Committee MISSOURI REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE-FEDERAL
Political party REPUBLICAN PARTY
Type Party – Qualified
State Missouri
You think they’ll give the money back? Just asking.
Tick-tock, tick-tock.
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…
I’m truly heartbroken over the heinous shooting in Texas today. Events like these are a reminder that cold, cruel reality can show up at anytime. It reminds us to hold our loved ones close and to always pray for our neighbors and our community.
Now more than ever, it’s time for America to have an honest discussion on the causes of these horrific events.
As these events too frequently dominate the headlines, I urge my colleagues to address the core problems that lead to these senseless acts of violence – addressing the pervasive mental health issues in our country, having an open dialogue about motivators of hatred and violence against other fellow Americans, and stopping criminals from illegally obtaining guns. Above all, we need to re-embrace values of life, respect, and the intrinsic worth of every human being.
Like clockwork.
Some of the responses:
Thought , prayers, mental illness.
How about we have background checks on private sales ? I also think we need a Red Flag law in every state 72 hour hold on your weapons if you are talking self harm or hurting others.
I have known a lot of people with mental health issues. I’m not afraid of them. I’m afraid of people who own guns and feel empowered to use them. Don’t hide, Rep. Hartzler, behind a party line. Be an independent thinker and work to protect Americans from gun violence.
You did nothing to address this issue the whole time you were on your break. You are always heartbroken but never willing to take any action. You talk about mental health but represent a state that is one of the worst for people getting access to healthcare. When will you be willing to do something besides post about it?
I think we need to do more than pray.
Y’all cut funding at CDC for mental health, so once again your concern about how mental health is playing a roll in all the mass shootings is nothing more than a party talking point! I want a BAN ON ALL ASSAULT WEAPONS! I WANT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS! Pretty simple steps that YOU refuse to initiate or endorse!
Crocodile tears.
Respect for life is all but gone from pur society. Kids watch violence and play violet games from the time they are toddlers. Then we expect them to grow up compassionate humans. We need to address what gets put into the minds of people, the lack of parenting, drugs, bullying, and so much more. Mental illness is a part of the equation and getting the fear out of being open is a huge obstacle.
Uh, people in other countries consume video games at a higher rate than Americans, and yet their gun violence rates are significantly lower. You think it’s the water, maybe?
That last statement is truly laughable given your record.
How would you know the underlying factors? The CDC can’t effectively study the problem because of people like you. Those with mental health challenges have been shown through research to NOT be any more likely to conduct mass murder. The NRA owns you.
You have an opportunity to enact common sense solutions to this challenge based on evidence.
You choose to do nothing.
Blah, blah, blah…. Your party FAILED to do ANYTHING after 20 BABIES were slaughtered in Connecticut. Not just shot, their bodies were blown to bits.. Live with that… THEY voted DOWN legislation that the people of this country wanted passed..
So, are you now for background checks? I can’t tell by the way you characterized the problem.
–
From the evidence available, it’s perceived racial superiority that motivates most of the mass shooters.
Vickie. These shooters do not have mental health diagnoses
Children are in cages – “re-embrace values…worth of every human being.” Umm
How about you start with an honest actual townhall, and then start to enact some GUN CONTROL? Oh wait, the NRA controls you.
How about telling McConnell to bring the house bills to the floor for a vote? Your party refusing to do anything is a BIG part of the problem.
Let the CDC and others actually study the situation and PROVE the connection to mental health … oh – right – they have – there isn’t one.
Hint: IT’S GUNS, VICKY
You’re a joke. You have no spine. How about a #townhall to talk about gun violence and real solutions, like background checks on every sale?
You don’t appear to care about life or you would stop cutting food stamps, encourage MO leaders to expand Medicaid, and impeach Trump before he starts WW3.
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 06/05/2019 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS GENERAL VA 07/26/2018 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 12/29/2017 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS GENERAL VA 10/07/2016 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 05/04/2015 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 04/26/2014 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 10/17/2013 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 06/27/2012 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 06/27/2011 $1,000.00
Barring some kind of miraculous last-minute reprieve, Friday will be the last business day that the Federal Election Commission will be able to function for quite a while, leaving the enforcement of federal campaign finance laws unattended ahead of the 2020 election. [….]
The Federal Election Commission web site:
The Federal Election Commission web site – September 1, 2019
Commissioners are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
By law, no more than three Commissioners can represent the same political party, and at least four votes are required for any official Commission action. This structure was created to encourage nonpartisan decisions.
Commissioners serve in staggered six-year terms; two seats are subject to appointment every two years. The Chair of the Commission changes every year, with no member serving more than once per term. [….]
Sure enough, we went directly to Josh Hawley’s (r) October 2018 Federal Election Commission [FEC] campaign finance report and there it is:
Travis Brown and Kelly Brown each contributed $2612.50, in kind, dated September 24, 2018 to Josh Hawley’s (r) U.S. Senate campaign. The memo on the contribution report states: “In Kind: Air Charter 9-20-18”
Well, slap my face and call me a republican lobbyist, I’d never consider such a thing possible, given Josh Hawley’s, you know, lack of insider contacts and his apparent aversion to air travel.
Gee, they’re both “self employed” in the “government relations” business. “Government relations” is FEC report talk for “lobbyist”. Charter plane flights not always included.
Travis Brown, Travis Brown…wait a minute, we’ve run into that name before. At the Missouri Ethics Commision [lobbying search]:
Principal: PELOPIDAS, LLC 1034 S. BRENTWOOD BLVD, STE 1700 SAINT LOUIS , MO 63117 […]
Lobbyist: Travis Brown 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd, Ste 1700 Saint Louis , MO 63117 […]
Why, that’s the same address listed for the in-kind contributions to Josh Hawley (r) in the FEC report. Go figure.
It’s not like a lobbyist’s plane hasn’t been an issue in the past:
Contributor information
Name GULA, RONALD J
City and state ELLICOTT CITY, MD, 210421326
Occupation PRESIDENT
Employer GULA TECH ADVENTURES Year to date $5,400.00
Contribution information
Amount $2,700.00
Receipt date May 29, 2018
Memo CONTRIBUTION
Reported on Form 3 on line 11AI
Election type GENERAL
Recipient information
Committee JOSH HAWLEY FOR SENATE
Political party REPUBLICAN PARTY
Type Senate
State Missouri
[emphasis added]
Contributor information
Name GULA, CYNTHIA
City and state ELLICOTT CITY, MD, 210421326
Occupation MANAGING DIRECTOR
Employer GULA TECH ADVENTURES Year to date $5,400.00
Contribution information
Amount $2,700.00
Receipt date May 29, 2018
Memo CONTRIBUTION
Reported on Form 3 on line 11AI
Election type GENERAL
Recipient information
Committee JOSH HAWLEY FOR SENATE
Political party REPUBLICAN PARTY
Type Senate
State Missouri
[emphasis added]
They’re all in.
The same people from Maryland who maxed out with individual contributions to Josh Hawley’s ladder climbing U.S. Senate campaign dropped $500,000.00 on a PAC which is paying for right wingnut door hangers distributed in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Interestingly, these individuals didn’t contribute to Josh Hawley’s (r) 2016 campaign for Attorney General. We looked.
Welcome to campaign finance in 21st Century America.
“It’s no surprise that John Brunner is being targeted by special interests with flat-out lies. John is the only candidate who can’t be bought and who is not looking to start, extend or jump-start a political career. The special interests have good reason to fear John Brunner as Missouri’s next governor, because John will stand up for ‘We the people’ to take our government back from the special interests, and get Missouri back on the right track.”
STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION
FILING FEC-1072153
1. LG PAC
520 West 103rd Street
Suite 243
Kansas City, MO 64114
Email: lgpoliticalactioncommittee@outlook.com
2. Date: 05/13/2016
3. FEC Committee ID #: C00617340
This committee supports/opposes more than one Federal candidate and is NOT a separate segregated fund or a party committee.
Affiliated Committees/Organizations
NONE
Custodian of Records:
Hank Monsees
520 West 103rd Street
Suite 243
Kansas City, MO 64114
Treasurer:
Hank Monsees
520 West 103rd Street
Suite 243
Kansas City, Missouri 64114
Designated Agent(s):
Banks or Depositories
Chain Bridge Bank
1445-A Laughlin Avenue
McLean, Virginia 22101
Signed: Hank Monsees
Date Signed: 05/16/2016
STATION ISSUE ADVERTISING REQUEST SHEET (to be filled out and kept on file for public inspection)
To: Public File
Station: KSHB
From: Erin Coppock
Date: June 2, 2016
[….]
Does the programming (in whole or in part) communicate a message relating to any political matter of national importance? [x] Yes
Issue: Anti John Brunner
Candidate Mentioned: John Brunner Election Mentioned: State Primary 8/2
Sponsor: LG PAC
Address: 520 West 103rd St Suite 24
Kansas City, MO 64114
[….]
Executive Officer(s): Hank Monsees Title: Treasurer
[….]
