Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Get Out of Jail Free Card

As I discussed in an earlier post, someone who gives ten dollars to a campaign is a contributor, someone who gives ten million is an investor. Gambling mogul, Sheldon Adelson, is a case in point.  He is currently under investigation for bribery and other possible violations of the Federal Corrupt Practices Act.

Forum shopping is the use of any legal means at a litigants disposal to have a matter heard in a jurisdiction, or court, most likely to produce a favorable outcome.  Forum shopping does not guarantee the result, it improves the odds.

Choosing the prosecutor is far more helpful, because a prosecutor can decide not to pursue a matter or enter into a favorable plea bargain.  Giving up to a hundred million dollars to Romney and other Republicans has an obvious goal.  A Romney controlled Justice Department may quietly drop the matter.

We can keep track of a high flyer, like Sheldon Adelson.  Stealth investors flying below the radar  are the real threat.  As discussed in the post "Boycott!",  contributors to 501(c)(4) advocacy groups, such as Karl Rowe's American Crossroads GPS, are not disclosed.  Contributors could include investment bankers, fearing prosecution for the financial melt down, and oil barons, protecting favorable tax treatment or  seeking to reduce environmental safeguards.

We have a right to know.  Please urge your Congressperson and Senator to support the Disclosure Act, which is currently blocked by a Republican filibuster.  If passed, starting January 1, contributions at, or above, ten thousand dollars would be promptly disclosed. 




1 comment:

  1. well said! and let's not forget protecting those all important "tax havens"

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