LGBT POV

The National Organization for Marriage, which is the biggest financial contributor to Stand for Marriage, the campaign to prevent Maine’s marriage equality law from taking effect, is now trying a counter-punch to the Oct 1 decision by the state ethics commission to look at NOM’s books.

The decision was in response to a legal challenge brought by Californians Against Hate founder Fred Karger who complained that NOM was circumventing state law by hiding the names of its donors.

According to an AP report in the Bangor Daily News Wednesday, NOM filed a constitutional challenge in federal court in Bangor to the state’s campaign reporting requirements. American Principles in Action joined the suit. AP reports that there is “no practical impact” on this campaign because the ethics investigation won’t be completed until after the Nov. 3 election.

Karger was astounded, noting that:

“The National Organization for Marriage has already contributed over $500,000 to Stand for Marriage Maine, Yes on Question 1, but refuses to file as a PAC in Maine.  This is 100 times the $5,000 PAC requirement.  It appears that all other committees raising money for Question 1 have complied with the law, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, that has given over $350,000 to the election.”

In response to the NOM lawsuit, Karger said:

“These people come into Maine from Washington, DC fully aware of the state election laws, pay $350,000 to professional signature gatherers to qualify their referendum to take away the rights of a minority, and then have the audacity to sue the state to change its years old election laws.

They did the identical thing in California after that state’s ethics commission, the California Fair Political Practices Commission, launched an investigation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church), and the very same National Organization for Marriage, whom many feel was created by the Mormon Church.

Do they think they are in Afghanistan or Iran? We have long-standing laws in this country which allow for free and open elections, but NOM continues to try and get around these state and federal laws at every opportunity.  The State of Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices showed tremendous courage when its Commissioners voted to investigate the highly questionable finances of the National Organization for Marriage at its October 1st meeting.  This was done under the threat of a lawsuit.  They are to be commended for standing up for transparency and truth in Maine elections.”

Copy of Law Suit:  Motion for Temporary Restraining Order

Karger’s Complaint - Verified Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief