On the heels of accusations of election finance improprieties in Maine, there’s even more bad news for Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage. According to Michael Cole, writing at the Human Rights Campaign’s HRC Backstory, the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board has contacted the group to clarify certain campaign issues and to avoid potential problems with the group’s fundraising efforts:
On the heels of news that officials in Maine were investigating the campaign practices of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), we just learned that authorities in Iowa are questioning the group over potential violations of campaign finance laws.
Turns out NOM has failed to register as a PAC and disclose contributors. NOM even boasts in their fundraising letters that they offer donors anonymity. Said the Iowa board letter: “The independent expenditure process in Iowa is not a vehicle to shield political contributions.”
A week ago, the mysteriously-funded, New Jersey-based National Organization for Marriage launched its Reclaim Iowa campaign to pass a constitutional amendment and reverse the state Supreme Court’s ruling that legalized marriage equality. One Iowa responded:
August 24, 2009
Mormon-backed group seeks to buy Rural Iowa House Seat
The National Organization for Marriage (NOM), a front group for Mormon-funded anti-gay measures, has invested thousands of out-of-state dollars to influence an Iowa House special election.
The secretive New Jersey-based group, known for its multi-million dollar investment to pass California’s Proposition 8, reported making an $86,080 independent expenditure on behalf of candidate Steven Burgmeier, a vocal opponent of civil marriage equality. A special election is set for September 1 in Iowa’s House District 90.
NOM refers to their Iowa campaign as the “Reclaim Iowa Project,” calling it a “targeted intervention” into the politics of the state.
“The Mormon Church and NOM have invested millions of dollars to spread lies and fear in California and now they have their sights set on rural Iowa,” said Carolyn Jenison, Executive Director of One Iowa. “This raises the question: Has Burgmeier been bought and paid for by out of state religious extremists? If not, he should reject this divisive ad.”
“NOM has a history of funneling money from the Mormon Church into anti-gay measures, while refusing to disclose the source of their funds. NOM should release the list of those contributing to the ads airing in Iowa,” said Jenison.
“This is about out-of-state extremists attempting to buy an Iowa election, plain and simple,” said State Senator Pam Jochum (D) of Dubuque, a long-standing proponent of campaign finance reform.
“Iowa has always been a welcoming place where people are treated fairly and with respect,” said Jenison. “We believe Iowa voters will reject attempts from outsiders to divide us.”
(emphasis: mine)
Cole also reveals that blogger Justin McLachlan has published NOM’s long-sought 2007 form 990. Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate and, more recently, The Washington Blade have been after the group to come clean about its curious accounting practices. NOM’s Brian Brown told the Blade’s Lou Chibbaro Jr: “the group would also release its 2008 990 form as soon as it completes its processing. He said the group submitted the 2008 report to the IRS last Friday.” Chibbaro filed his story on 19 August. It’s the 31st. We’re still waiting
Recent posts on NOM, Gallagher and Brown:
