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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSen. Joni Ernst Caught In Dark Money Scheme
12/10/19 8:11am
Sen. Joni Ernst Caught In Dark Money Scheme
Joni Ernst is in violation of campaign finance law, big time.
By Frances Langum
Video @ link~
An AP report this week shows Senator Joni Ernsts campaign group broke the law in its close overlap with a shady dark money group set up by her top political staff to support her re-election campaign in 2020.
Here are five key facts in the APs storysd: Dark money ties raise questions for GOP Sen. Ernst of Iowa
Illegal for Candidates to Coordinate with Dark Money Groups. Ernst Did It Anyway.
Its illegal for dark money groups to work with the candidates they support or make political work their primary purpose but documents reviewed by the AP, including emails and a strategy memo, not only make clear that the groups aim is securing an Ernst win in 2020 they also show Ernst and her campaign worked in close concert with Iowa Values.
Documents Offer Proof Campaign Finance Laws Broken.
Legal experts told AP the documents offer proof that the effort violates the spirit of campaign finance and tax law. A nonpartisan campaign finance expert said there is pretty strong evidence that a $50,000 request for money was for an illegal donation and its clear that the goal of Iowa Values is to reelect Joni Ernst, which may violate its tax-exempt status.
Dark Money Group Was Founded by Ernsts Top Political Aides.
The dark money group Iowa Values was founded by top political aides to Sen. Joni Ernst [and] has worked closely with the Iowa Republican to raise money and boost her reelection prospects, a degree of overlap that potentially violates the law.
Ties Between Campaign, Dark Money Group Undeniable.
The close connection between Ernst and the dark money group is undeniable: Iowa Values was co-founded in 2017 by Ernsts longtime political consultant and former campaign manager and deputy chief of staff, Jon Kohan. Ernsts top fundraiser, Claire Holloway Avella, is deeply involved with both operations. A condo owned by another former campaign manager Derek Flowers, who was recently hired to lead the group was used as Iowa Values address at a time when he worked for Ernst.
Ernst Couldnt Defend Her Campaign, Faces Mounting Questions.
The Ernst campaign was unable to substantively refute anything about the APs troubling report, so instead a spokesperson attacked the story as the definition of fake news. There has been no response from Ernst herself.
Its illegal for dark money groups to work with the candidates they support or make political work their primary purpose but documents reviewed by the AP, including emails and a strategy memo, not only make clear that the groups aim is securing an Ernst win in 2020 they also show Ernst and her campaign worked in close concert with Iowa Values.
Documents Offer Proof Campaign Finance Laws Broken.
Legal experts told AP the documents offer proof that the effort violates the spirit of campaign finance and tax law. A nonpartisan campaign finance expert said there is pretty strong evidence that a $50,000 request for money was for an illegal donation and its clear that the goal of Iowa Values is to reelect Joni Ernst, which may violate its tax-exempt status.
Dark Money Group Was Founded by Ernsts Top Political Aides.
The dark money group Iowa Values was founded by top political aides to Sen. Joni Ernst [and] has worked closely with the Iowa Republican to raise money and boost her reelection prospects, a degree of overlap that potentially violates the law.
Ties Between Campaign, Dark Money Group Undeniable.
The close connection between Ernst and the dark money group is undeniable: Iowa Values was co-founded in 2017 by Ernsts longtime political consultant and former campaign manager and deputy chief of staff, Jon Kohan. Ernsts top fundraiser, Claire Holloway Avella, is deeply involved with both operations. A condo owned by another former campaign manager Derek Flowers, who was recently hired to lead the group was used as Iowa Values address at a time when he worked for Ernst.
Ernst Couldnt Defend Her Campaign, Faces Mounting Questions.
The Ernst campaign was unable to substantively refute anything about the APs troubling report, so instead a spokesperson attacked the story as the definition of fake news. There has been no response from Ernst herself.
more...
https://crooksandliars.com/2019/12/sen-joni-ernst-caught-dark-money-scheme
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Sen. Joni Ernst Caught In Dark Money Scheme (Original Post)
babylonsister
Dec 2019
OP
Joni Ernst(R-IA) is one of the Republican US Senators up for re-election in 2020 that is vulnerable.
nkpolitics1212
Dec 2019
#3
liberal N proud
(60,302 posts)1. There is not one republican who is not guilty
Of extensive corruption
MFGsunny
(2,356 posts)2. No doubt the Dem candidates are watching. n/t
nkpolitics1212
(8,617 posts)3. Joni Ernst(R-IA) is one of the Republican US Senators up for re-election in 2020 that is vulnerable.
JDC
(10,081 posts)4. The Party of Corruption
NoMoreRepugs
(9,260 posts)5. How dare those people report facts supported by documents
that show crimes were committed, don't they understand that Repugs have no moral compass??