July 2014

For several years, we have been warning clients and others that it was only a matter of time before we would see criminal referrals against lobbyists who fail to register under the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act (“LDA”).  Until now, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has focused…
Continue Reading Congressional Ethics Office Refers Alleged Unregistered Lobbyist to DOJ

An FEC enforcement action recently made public may be of interest to organizations that use members’ dues for political activities.  In a complaint to the FEC, a Massachusetts realtor claimed the National Association of Realtors and its state and local affiliates were forcing her into paying for their political activities…
Continue Reading FEC Dismisses Challenge to Use of Trade Association Dues for Independent Expenditures

Two public relations firms have filed documents with the Department of Justice revealing that they provided public relations and media services in the United States for the government of Ecuador without being registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), as that law requires.  These firms are the latest in…
Continue Reading Two More Public Relations Firms Trip Over the Foreign Agents Registration Act

National Journal reported today that the House Ethics Committee quietly scrapped “decades of precedent” requiring Members of the House of Representatives and certain senior staff to disclose privately funded travel on annual financial disclosure forms.

Despite this change, travel costs still must be disclosed.  Under the current House travel rules,…
Continue Reading Despite House Ethics Rule Change, Privately Funded Travel Still Publicly Disclosed