Donors Could Face Fines and Criminal Prosecution for Concealing Out-of-State Agribusiness Money from Voters
YES! on Prop 2 - Californians for Humane Farms, the proponents of an anti-cruelty ballot initiative that will phase out particularly inhumane farm animal confinement practices, has uncovered an election scam by the opponents of the initiative and filed a complaint today with California's Fair Political Practices Commission ("FPPC"). The complaint charges that the United Egg Producers ("UEP"), the No on 2 campaign, and their donors are concealing out-of-state contributions to the political campaign against Prop 2, in clear violation of California campaign finance laws.
"The opponents of Proposition 2 are laundering donations through a trade association, and sidestepping California campaign finance laws that exist to allow the public to understand what groups and individuals are financing political campaigns," said YES! on Prop 2 campaign manager Jennifer Fearing. "These disreputable tactics and deception should not be tolerated either by state authorities or by the voters."
The YES! on Prop 2 campaign uncovered the opponents' illegal scheme to use UEP as a conduit for out-of-state contributions last week after the website of World Poultry Magazine (www.worldpoultry.net), reported that the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association – a Georgia-based corporation -- recently gave $250,000 to UEP for its campaign activities in opposition to Proposition 2. Additionally, a letter from the UEP dated July 15 specifically requests funds to combat Prop 2, and lists dozens of companies "that have thus far made contributions to United Egg Producers." These unreported contributions appear to be funneled through UEP rather than donated to the official ballot committee.
In orchestrating this type of under-the-table transaction – i.e., soliciting contributions to UEP for use against Proposition 2, rather than to the deceptively-named "Californians for Safe Food" committee itself – the UEP and its donors are depriving California voters of valuable information regarding the funders behind ballot committee campaigns, which is required under the state Political Reform Act.
The complaint also alleges that UEP failed to register as a California "committee" -- as its fundraising activities require under California law. UEP's illegal actions as a middleman, funneling large amounts of money to be used against Proposition 2, is essentially invisible to the public from a campaign finance perspective, and hampers the voters' ability to determine the true identity of the opponents of Prop 2.
Both the UEP and its donors could face criminal prosecution and stiff fines under the Act, which can run as much as $5,000, or three times the unreported contribution, for each violation.
Prop 2 will phase out the most abusive factory farming practices in California, and ensure modest animal welfare standards for farm animals by allowing them simply to turn around, lie down, and stretch their limbs.
The YES! on Prop 2 campaign is a broad and diverse coalition of animal protection groups, family farmers, veterinarians and public health professionals, who want to ensure animals raised for food are given the basic humane treatment they deserve. The coalition boasts a long list of endorsements from leading organizations including the California Veterinary Medical Association, the Sierra Club, the Center for Food Safety, the California Democratic Party, the Consumer Federation of America, the United Farm Workers union, Defenders of Wildlife, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Cesar Chavez Foundation, the ASPCA, Clean Water Action, and dozens of others. Notable individuals who have endorsed Prop 2 include US Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, state schools chief Jack O'Connell; Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa (Los Angeles), Gavin Newsom (San Francisco), Jerry Sanders (San Diego), and Heather Fargo (Sacramento); Democratic and Republican legislative and congressional representatives; nearly 700 California veterinarians, more than 100 California family farmers, more than 350 California small business owners, and the leaders of more than 80 California church congregations.
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Yes on Prop. 2 – Californians for Humane Farms, sponsored by The Humane Society of the US, Farm Sanctuary and other animal protection groups, family farmers, veterinarians and public health professionals. For more information, visit YESonProp2.com.
