Chief
07-28-2008, 07:13 AM
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/372343_gov26.html
By CURT WOODWARD
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
OLYMPIA -- Two former state Supreme Court justices who support Gov. Chris Gregoire took aim at one of the Democratic incumbent's most pugnacious foes Friday, accusing the Building Industry Association of Washington of campaign finance law violations.
The retired judges, Faith Ireland and Robert Utter, say the conservative building industry group has coordinated its election spending with such detail that it's effectively become a political committee and must open its books to the public under state campaign disclosure law.
The builders group, commonly known as the BIAW, rejected the allegations and said it had been vindicated by state campaign finance watchdogs in a similar 1997 complaint.
Spokeswoman Erin Shannon said the BIAW was being targeted solely because of its conservative philosophy and ardent support of Dino Rossi, who is challenging Gregoire in fall's election. "Rather than battle us on the merits ... they just want to lock us out of the arena."
Ireland and Utter want state officials and county prosecutors to investigate the BIAW and are threatening their own lawsuit if the government doesn't act.
"Without enforcement, sneak tactics and last-minute ambush can unfairly influence the outcome of important races," Ireland said.
Ireland, Utter and their lawyers said the BIAW has violated state law by coordinating the collection and spending of money on politics, particularly the Gregoire-Rossi rematch.
The BIAW, which has donated more than $1.4 million to political causes so far this election cycle, operates political committees registered with the state Public Disclosure Commission and report their income and spending.
But Ireland and Utter say the BIAW is itself acting like a political committee.
Attorney General Rob McKenna said he would forward the matter to the Public Disclosure Commission for a preliminary investigation.
**SCHNIPP**
Typical DemocRat move. If you feel threatened in an election, have someone go to Court to seek the answer you want.
As usual, it's the seriousness of the charge that counts, not the facts...
Developing...
cewl
By CURT WOODWARD
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
OLYMPIA -- Two former state Supreme Court justices who support Gov. Chris Gregoire took aim at one of the Democratic incumbent's most pugnacious foes Friday, accusing the Building Industry Association of Washington of campaign finance law violations.
The retired judges, Faith Ireland and Robert Utter, say the conservative building industry group has coordinated its election spending with such detail that it's effectively become a political committee and must open its books to the public under state campaign disclosure law.
The builders group, commonly known as the BIAW, rejected the allegations and said it had been vindicated by state campaign finance watchdogs in a similar 1997 complaint.
Spokeswoman Erin Shannon said the BIAW was being targeted solely because of its conservative philosophy and ardent support of Dino Rossi, who is challenging Gregoire in fall's election. "Rather than battle us on the merits ... they just want to lock us out of the arena."
Ireland and Utter want state officials and county prosecutors to investigate the BIAW and are threatening their own lawsuit if the government doesn't act.
"Without enforcement, sneak tactics and last-minute ambush can unfairly influence the outcome of important races," Ireland said.
Ireland, Utter and their lawyers said the BIAW has violated state law by coordinating the collection and spending of money on politics, particularly the Gregoire-Rossi rematch.
The BIAW, which has donated more than $1.4 million to political causes so far this election cycle, operates political committees registered with the state Public Disclosure Commission and report their income and spending.
But Ireland and Utter say the BIAW is itself acting like a political committee.
Attorney General Rob McKenna said he would forward the matter to the Public Disclosure Commission for a preliminary investigation.
**SCHNIPP**
Typical DemocRat move. If you feel threatened in an election, have someone go to Court to seek the answer you want.
As usual, it's the seriousness of the charge that counts, not the facts...
Developing...
cewl