Wednesday, October 24, 2007

MFEP ethics violation

It's hard to feel sorry for Lex Taylor and the Mississippians for Economic Progress after learning that they've been violating lobbying laws for the past two years.

From the Clarion Ledger:

Last month, the Mississippi Ethics Commission approved a settlement among the Secretary of State's office, MFEP and Taylor. MFEP agreed to pay a $500 civil penalty under the Lobbying Law Reform Act, which requires lobbyists and their clients to file certain reports, said Chris Graham, the commission's assistant director and counsel.
After setting out on a mission to demand more transparency of finances and contributions, it's quite ironic they don't want to make public their finances as a lobbying organization.
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6 comments:

  1. John Wesley LeekOctober 24, 2007 at 11:03 AM

    Our ethics laws are so ridiculously weak.

    Of course when the legislature tried to reform them they met a Barbour veto.

    A $500 fine won't deter corporate criminals like these.

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  2. Reasonably Prudent PersonOctober 24, 2007 at 11:26 AM

    "[C]riminals" is a big word and serious accusation. Especially since this was settled by paying a civil fine. I don't think this issue has risen to a "criminal" level yet. It very well may.

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  3. olemissOctober 24, 2007 at 12:06 PM

    $500, that's it? That's what a parking ticket up here runs.

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  4. ChuckOctober 24, 2007 at 2:33 PM

    Is John Eaves ethical? The democratic party? I heard some Hispanics think they are everything but.

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  5. MissBarracudaOctober 24, 2007 at 4:57 PM

    Ah, reasonably prudent person, it's good to see a lawyer in the house. Maybe you can advise this group so that they won't be charged criminally for willfully ignoring the reporting statutes if they do it again. But, then, for a group that considers itself expert on the law, especially civil law, it's interesting to note that they found themselves in this situation.

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  6. Reasonably Prudent PersonOctober 24, 2007 at 10:36 PM

    I don't condone their not reporting. My only thought is that the poster and owner of this blog has called them criminals.

    As best I can tell, there hasn't been any intentional violations proven, just noncompliance.

    I usually refrain from calling someone a criminal until I can prove it or it has been proven.

    If you are interested, it is Miss. Code 5-8-1 through 5-8-23.

    Maybe you can advise this group so that they won't be charged criminally for willfully ignoring the reporting statutes if they do it again.

    Maybe so, but that would require a retainer.

    RPP

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