SAN FRANCISCO — California's highest court ordered an Arizona group led by former Mesa legislator Kirk Adams on Sunday to turn over records related to an $11 million contribution to two California campaigns last month, but it remained to be seen whether voters will know the source of the donation before Election Day.
Attorney General Kamala Harris and the state's campaign finance watchdog had been seeking the donation records to determine whether Americans for Responsible Leadership is complying with state campaign disclosure laws.
The group gave money in October to a California-based political action committee that is campaigning against Gov. Jerry Brown's tax initiative and another initiative that would limit the ability of unions to raise money for political causes.
The group fought to withhold the documents and tried last week to appeal a Sacramento County Superior Court ruling that it must submit to an audit by the California Fair Political Practices Commission by 5 p.m. Thursday.
Harris' office filed a motion late Friday asking the California Supreme Court to take up the case immediately, arguing that the information the FPPC is seeking is only relevant before Tuesday's election. The court made its unanimous decision Sunday afternoon following a conference call and directed the Phoenix-based nonprofit to comply with the FPPC's audit request by 4 p.m.
However, the group asked for a deadline extension so it could seek a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, FPPC chairwoman Ann Ravel said. She said the state Supreme Court denied the request and ordered the group to produce the documents immediately.
She said she believes the group has exhausted all legal avenues.
"My staff will be working all night to look at the documents and determine if they come within California (campaign) disclosure laws," Ravel said.
A call seeking comments from the group's spokesman was not immediately returned.
Harris called the group's action "outrageous" and "a clear act of desperation."
"They're trying to delay and run the clock on this so that California voters will be in the dark about who has tried to manipulate their opinions," Harris said.
Federal law allows nonprofits to keep the identities of their donors confidential. But California regulations require donors to be identified if they give to nonprofits with the intention of spending money on state campaigns here.
downtownresident posted at 7:29 pm on Sun, Nov 4, 2012.
You can be sure that the ethical and moral rejects who represent the mis-named organization referred to here will use every dirty trick and underhanded ploy they can come up with.
I think their name should be the "Unethical Slime For the Overthrow of Democracy".
downtownresident posted at 7:32 pm on Sun, Nov 4, 2012.
The true source of the money will never be known.
Masterrogue666 posted at 7:54 pm on Sun, Nov 4, 2012.
I'm more concerned about the FEDERAL voting registration process. All you have to do is CLAIM you are a citizen of the USA. Do anyone here think that those that are not a citizen of the USA would tell the TRUTH in order not to vote in our elections, if they happen not to be here ILLEGALLY? They broke, and CONTINUE to break our laws, so what's one more?
Leon Ceniceros posted at 11:57 pm on Sun, Nov 4, 2012.
BY ALL MEANS..........GIVE THEM THE INFORMATION ON......WEDNESDAY.....[wink]
mwmike posted at 4:22 am on Mon, Nov 5, 2012.
Corrupt Republicans continuing to bring shame to the good people of Arizona.
run26miaz posted at 5:57 am on Mon, Nov 5, 2012.
The main reason the Democrats in California want the donation records are so that they can launch a intimidation campaign against every individual donor! They know these are large donations from people with business interests! So they wll do everything in their power to sue, harass, intimidate, and boycott the businesses! They used these same tactics against Prop 8 supporters! People actually lost their jobs for donating money to Prop 8! The Democrats only believe in free speech, if it's their speech!!!
jimnbubba posted at 8:22 am on Mon, Nov 5, 2012.
Who cares what Ca.courts say ,this is AZ. Ca.courts also say it's alright to support illegals with taxpayer money !!
downtownresident posted at 6:26 pm on Mon, Nov 5, 2012.
run26miaz,
You have your parties confused. You have described the Republican Party.
Your statement is so incredibly hypocritical as to be sad.[sad]