Common Cause Praises Court Ruling on FPPC v. Americans for Responsible Leadership

Common Cause Praises Sacramento Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne W.L. Chang’s Decision on FPPC v. Americans for Responsible Leadership

Statement by Derek Cressman, Common Cause Vice President of State Operations

“It’s high time we pull back the curtain on the cowardly billionaires or corporations that are hiding behind this out-of-state front group that is working to tilt California’s political playing field permanently to their advantage with Proposition 32. We commend the Fair Political Practices Commission for taking swift action and hope that they can bring this rogue group to justice in time for California voters to learn who they really are.

“Thanks to the judge’s ruling, one thing we’ve already learned for sure is that this is a group that feels like it has something to hide and is willing to fight tooth and nail in court to stay in the shadows. Voters can now take that into account when evaluating the ads and mailers that have been paid for the ironically named Americans for Responsible Leadership.”

On Friday October 19, Common Cause filed an official complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission urging them to investigate Americans for Responsible Leadership over their gross violation of California’s campaign disclosure laws. Earlier today, California Common Cause, the League of Women Voters of California and the Fair Political Practices Commission announced a partnership to introduce stronger and clearer campaign finance disclosure legislation when the Legislature convenes in 2013.