Tag: campaign

Ethics Scores 24th JDC Election 2024

Scientific research shows that campaign contributions are correlated with judges’ decisions. There is a crisis with the court’s legitimacy in Louisiana and this issue is very salient now for a variety of reasons. There are political concerns, case-related concerns, and financial concerns. 

A study by Damon Cann, a Political Science instructor at Georgia University, asks whether judges are more likely to rule in favor of attorneys who provide financial support to their campaigns. He shows that campaign contributions are indeed correlated with judges’ decisions. (Cann, Damon M. “Justice for Sale? Campaign Contributions and Judicial Decisionmaking.” State Politics & Policy Quarterly, vol. 7, no. 3, 2007, pp. 281–97. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40405604. Accessed 29 Feb. 2024)

Judicial ethics in Louisiana is a pretty hot topic for Motion to Quash LLC. There is discussion about judges taking advantage of elections to promote their own interests. There is discussion about judges showing favor with attorneys who donate to their campaigns. There is discussion about making it illegal for judges to accept contributions from attorneys who may appear before them. Join the Campaign for Judicial Integrity in Louisiana here.

One of the most important tenets in the Code of Judicial Conduct is that judges should avoid the appearance of impropriety. 28 USC section 455 – enacted by Congress, binds them and sets the standard for all the courts.

None of the three candidates for 24th JDC have been following the judicial set of guidelines when it comes to providing financial support to their campaigns. Jefferson Parish has been out of step with the norms governing Louisiana since Operation Wrinkled Robe, championed by Jim Letten, proved campaign support in Jefferson Parish was given with a criminal intent, not a political one.

Ethics Scores for 24th JDC Candidates for 3/23/2024 Election

24th JDC
Candidate averageF33%
Jackie MaloneyF33%
Jerry SmithF33%
Lindsey ValentiD67%

Jackie Maloney- Ethics score F (33%) 

As a judicial candidate Jackie Maloney received $29,400 campaign contributions from 44 attorneys who may appear before her if elected. Ms. Maloney received $2500 from 5 attorneys and $1,000 from 5 attorneys. $500 was issued by 14 attorneys. 

As an attorney, Jackie Maloney issued over five thousand dollars in campaign contributions to 7 Judges in her district of practice. 

Jerry Smith Ethics score F (33%)

From the time period 2020 to the present, Jerry Smith received over $115,000 from over 180 attorneys who may appear before him if elected. Mr. Smith received $2500 from 13 attorneys and $1,000 from 21 attorneys. $500 was issued by 50 attorneys. 

From the time period 2019 to the present, Jerry Smith issued $3650 to 10 judges in the 24th JDC.

Lindsey Valenti Ethics score D (67%)

As a candidate, Lindsey Valenti received more than $150, 000 from over 130 attorneys who may appear before her if elected. Ms. Valenti received $2,500 from 36 attorneys and $1,000 from 22 attorneys. $500 was received by 42 atorneys.

As an attorney, Lindsey Valenti issued zero dollars to Judges, thus earning her a higher score despite receiving the most money.

Methodology

For consistency, the total scores were based on these three principles:

  1. Campaign contributions issued (5 possible points)
  2. Campaign contributions received (5 possible points)
  3. Disclosures/conflicts of interest (5 possible points)

Only when candidates scored 15 for the whole package did they score 100 percent. Campaigns are dynamic. We welcome your feedback. If you see a candidate’s position has changed, send us an email to tracie@motiontoquash.org with the new information. The spreadsheets are free and printable. Campaign finance reports were obtained from the Ethics Board’s website and the Ethics Disclosures can be found on the Louisiana Supreme Court’s website. 

Recognized by the National Whistleblower Center (NWC), Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of motiontoquash.org.  Motion to Quash LLC successfully promoted legislation that supports the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest. Click here to donate Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019.  NWC’s mission is to support whistleblowers in their efforts to expose and help prosecute corruption and other wrongdoing around the world. 

Corruption Scorecards for Jefferson Parish House of Representatives Election 2023

Tracie Burke | Motion to Quash LLC | Sept. 22, 2023

Louisiana State Representatives are being scrutinized under the False Claims Act for receiving payments from over 100 entities that received over $200 million dollars in taxpayer backed Disaster Assistance, according to an analysis of federal government data by Motion to Quash LLC. 

The investigation of loan fraud by PPP loan recipients and Louisiana lawmakers is alarming. Businesses issued large political donations after receiving taxpayer backed pandemic loans, raising concerns about the legitimacy of their need for assistance. “Loan recipients who issued campaign contributions after receiving their awards should be required to repay the loans,” a spokesperson for the agency said. “Fraud schemes such as this are the costliest for the taxpayers.”

Motion to Quash is a powerful representation of the fight against corruption in Jefferson Parish, with the State Representative Anti Corruption Scorecard serving as a reminder of the importance of transparency and honesty in our political system. The scorecards are sufficient to provide accurate, reliable and sound judgment of campaign finance abuse, particularly for those interested in the 2023 Elections and the stand against corruption.

Campaign finance reports were obtained from the Louisiana Ethics Board website. Disaster Relief Profiles were found at usaspending.gov.

Click the name to view each candidate’s folder.

Joseph OrgeronC73%
John IllgD67%
Debbie VillioD60%
Polly ThomasD67%
Laurie SchlegelB-80%
Kyle Green JrB+87%
Reginald JasminA+100%
Timothy KernerF47%
Andrew BennettA+100%
Vincent Cox IIIF47%
Andrea ManuelA+100%
Rodney Lyons SrD63%
Trent Mackey Jr.A+100%
Michael SigurD67%
Joseph StagniD67%
Stephanie HilfertyC73%
Charles MarsalaA+100%
Jacob BraudF53%
Joanna LeopoldD67%
Mack CormierD60%
Donald ValleeA+97%
SCORE DISTRIBUTION OVERVIEW

Of the 21 candidates for State Representative on the Jefferson Parish sample ballot, 6 scored A+ (28.6%), 1 scored B+ (4.8%), 1 scored B- (4.8%), 2 scored C (9.5%), 8 scored D (38.1%), and 3 scored F (14.3%)

Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)

From the time period 2020 to the present, candidates received a grand total of contributions over $1.4 million dollars including a sum of over $600,000 from pharmaceuticals, gaming interests, government contractors, and PPP disaster recipients. By far the most frequent recipient is Timothy Kerner Sr.

Methodology

For consistency, the total scores were based on these three principles:

  1. Campaign contributions issued (5 points)
  2. Campaign contributions received (5 points)
  3. Disclosures/conflicts of interest (5 points)

Only when candidates scored 15 for the whole package did they score 100 percent. 

Campaigns are dynamic. We welcome your feedback. If you see a candidate’s position has changed, send us an email to info@motiontoquash.org with the new information.

Recognized by the National Whistleblower Center, Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org. Motion to Quash LLC  successfully promoted legislation that supports the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Click here to donate Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC. 

Statewide Anti Corruption Scorecards Nov. 2021

By Tracie Burke | Motion to Quash LLC | September 26, 2021

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Integrity is a top issue facing Louisiana voters. Unfair business practices and long standing financial connections are breeding grounds for corruption. See how candidates score on integrity for the November 2021 Statewide/Multi-Parish Elections.

We based the candidate integrity scores on these three principles: Campaign Contributions Issued, Campaign Contributions Received, and Disclosures/Conflicts of Interest. 

Click here to view the SCORECARD. You can download and print the complimentary spreadsheet. Click on the Grades Tab to view each Candidate’s folder.

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METHODOLOGY

Candidates are graded on the number of critical issues for anti-corruption listed in the candidate scorecard, as divided into three overarching principles. We believe all of these issues are crucial for candidate integrity. 

We assigned a total possible score of 5 for each principle. For the sake of consistency, we treat individual issues equally: calculating fewer of these critical issues gets candidates a higher score—and only when they score 15 for the whole package do they score 100 percent.

We compiled candidate information from their campaign websites, in interviews, or from public and private sources. 

Campaigns are dynamic. We welcome your feedback—if you see a candidate’s position has changed, send us an email to info@motiontoquash.org  with the new information.

Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org. Motion to Quash LLC promotes legislation that supports the American Anti-Corruption Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019 Click here to donate.

Statewide Multi-Parish Candidates- November 2021Download

Join the Campaign for Judicial Integrity in Louisiana

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Have you ever been affected by a Judge’s decision in Louisiana? Did the decision affect you in such a way that you either lost money or have been left at risk of ongoing abuse or unable to see your children? Chances are that you have. Did you feel the system in Louisiana was corrupt? The answer to that is probably yes. If so, Motion to Quash LLC has the solution. Join the Campaign for Judicial Integrity in Louisiana.

We want the public to receive accurate and understandable information and show what you can do to rid Louisiana of Judicial corruption. Join the Campaign for Judicial Integrity in Louisiana to remedy those problems by making the system right and ridding the Louisiana judiciary of bad and corrupt judges.

Harmful Effect of Money in Louisiana Government

Motion to Quash LLC takes action against government corruption and retribution in Louisiana. No one can get a fair trial before judges who receive illegal payments from attorneys and retroactive immunity from criminal prosecution.

A significant number of judges in Louisiana receive illegal payments from attorneys in the form of campaign contributions. Motion to Quash LLC is taking the steps to pass legislation that says any judge who receives contributions from attorneys no longer can sit on the seat in the district where the attorneys practice. What You Can Do to Rid the Louisiana Judiciary of Bad and Corrupt Judges

There is continuing fraud before the courts in Louisiana and the Louisiana judicial system is in a crisis. This is the underlying story of how judges receiving illegal contributions and payments to increase their own interests has corrupted the Louisiana judicial system.

The Louisiana Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Justices and Superior Court Justices at all times knew and know at present, many Louisiana judges sit on cases in which they are disqualified under law because the attorney gave them a criminal payment and: (1) appears before them as a party; (2) appears as a witness; or (3) has an interest.

The mission of the Campaign for Judicial Integrity in Louisiana is to disqualify the judges who are receiving money from attorneys and end corruption and take back our judicial system.

How to Disqualify Your Judge

Responsibility falls on citizens to reclaim our justice system. The method is for the people to file LA Code Crim Pro 987 based on fraud upon the court. Motion to Set Aside Conviction and Dismiss Prosecution; Rule to Show Cause; and Order of Dismissal forms are to be used. Here is a link to the forms provided by LSAC http://www.lasc.org/rules/City_Parish/Uniform_Forms_for_City_Parish_Courts.pdf

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Also, federal laws provide an opportunity to reverse the judge’s ruling and move forward with working the case to its logical conclusion. The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution of the United States (Article VI, Clause 2), establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, constitute the “supreme Law of the Land” and thus take priority over any conflicting state laws.

Section 1346 of Title 18, United States Code provides an intangible right to honest services.  The statute has been applied by federal prosecutors in cases of public corruption as well as in cases in which private individuals breached a fiduciary duty to another.

Exercise Your Rights & Contact Your Legislators

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Motion to Quash LLC is drafting legislation and sending it to every legislator to stop any judge from receiving payments from attorneys who may appear before them. The next step for you, the voters, will be to exercise your rights to contact your legislators, who are your representatives and work for you, and urge them to get the amendment passed. Remember, these payments have affected every aspect of the court system, so now is the time for action.

“If you have been hurt by a judicial decision or by a corrupt judge and you want to do something about it, this is the only thing that you can do. Protesting in the street is not going to get you anywhere. Making music or noise is not going to get you anywhere. Exercising your right will get you somewhere.” – Dr. Richard Fine, Founder, Vote for Justice, Campaign for Judicial Integrity.

Recognized by the National Whistleblower Center (NWC), Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of motiontoquash.org. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org. Motion to Quash LLC successfully promoted legislation that supports the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Click here to donate Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019.  NWC’s mission is to support whistleblowers in their efforts to expose and help prosecute corruption and other wrongdoing around the world. 

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Supporting Journalism in the Public Interest

by Tracie Burke | Motion to Quash, LLC | September 20, 2019

Dear Readers,

Here is the lawsuit we are filing to remove a gag order so we can publish information about issues concerning Judicial reviews and corruption in Jefferson Parish. Please share our donation link and, if you can, donate. Our representation is pro bono and your donation helps cover the filing fee. Thank you for your support.

Tracie-Burke-v-Louisiana-Judiciary-CommissionDownload

paypal.me/MotiontoQuashLLC

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Update: We just received a $50 donation from Rusty Autry, who is a candidate for Louisiana State Rep. The balance is $350. Thank you, Rusty!

Without people like you, Motion to Quash LLC would not be able to continue its mission to provide information and justice for women in Louisiana.

MOTION TO QUASH ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of MOTION TO QUASH, LLC 2019. Please consider making a contribution to help provide education, information, and justice for Louisiana ciizens. We promote legislation that supports The American Anti-Corruption Act, The False Claims Act, and The Whistleblower Protection Act.

Tracie Burke is Louisiana Author of Motion to Quash. Email: tracie@motiontoquash.org

MOTION TO QUASH LLC BLACKLIST

Jefferson Parish Elected Officials and Attorneys Who Have Incurred Suspicion

By Tracie Burke| Motion to Quash, LLC| 7/21/2019| 11:10 AM

A comprehensive list of Attorneys who clearly can’t win a case unless the courtroom fix is in, the MOTION TO QUASH LLC BLACKLIST includes Jefferson Parish elected officials and attorneys whose campaign finance contributions signifies impropriety and creates bias. The omission of a name could mean the individual or group is under review by the Louisiana Ethics Committee, or some other jurisdiction where the information is confidential pending a hearing on the matter. MTQ examiners review each case individually and requests for charges are consistently turning up hearings and indictments. 

A campaign contribution becomes a bribe when the quid pro quo is shown. Jefferson Parish elected officials are benefiting from the confusion of campaign finance laws by steering contracts and legal work to election campaign donors, and by violating a number of judicial and lawyer codes.

Merely receiving a campaign contribution from someone who benefits from the elected official actions is not enough the Supreme Court said in a 1991 decision overturning the extortion conviction of a West Virginia legislator. Prosecutors must prove a donation caused an elected official to pull levers of government power in ways he would not otherwise. 

Other courts have held a payment doesn’t need to be tied to a specific official for a jury to find quid pro quo, “so long as the defendant understood that he was to take official action whenever an opportunity was presented to him.” It’s a matter of explaining it properly.

MOTION TO QUASH LLC BLACKLIST spreadsheets are sufficient to conclude the benefits theory because it proves there was an understanding between the elected officials and the contributors that contributions would lead to work or a favorable outcome of a case.  

Many Jefferson Parish elected officials did escape the Blacklist but that requires another article for those deserving of praise. Called the MOTION TO QUASH LLC WHITELIST, it’s the reverse of blacklisting. 

Check back in August for updates to the MOTION TO QUASH LLC BLACKLIST. 

Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of Motion to Quash. Her work focuses on providing information, education, and justice for women survivors of domestic violence. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org Motion to Quash LLC promotes legislation that supports the American Anti-Corruption Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019 Click here to donate.