NOM Fined over 50K, Will Have to Disclose Donor List

According to today's edition of the Porland Press Herald (article at link), the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices has decided to levy a $50,250 fine on the National Organization for Marriage for misusing its non-profit status during the 2009 referendum campaign for marriage equality in Maine. The referendum lost, only to have the voter's decision reversed in 2012, bringing marriage equality to Maine by the ballot box, one of the first states to do so by public referendum.

Because the Ethics Commission ruled they violated their status as well as Maine election laws, they have not only been fined but under the ruling would have to turn over the list of their donors, something the NOM has strongly resisted. The ruling is likely to be appealed but is expected to be finalized next month.

Here's the Press Herald:

AUGUSTA –– Maine’s ethics commission voted unanimously Wednesday to impose a $50,250 fine on the nation’s leading organization opposing gay marriage, in a ruling that could affect the way nonprofit organizations attempt to influence Maine elections.

The vote followed an investigation in which the staff of the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices found that the National Organization for Marriage concealed its operations and donors during its successful bid to overturn Maine’s same-sex marriage law in 2009.

The vote means that the state will require the organization to register as a ballot question committee and disclose its donors from the 2009 campaign.

Now, groups like the NOM hate the idea of ever having to disclose their donors. Bigots love anonymity:

A pending appeal means that more time is likely to pass before the donors to the 2009 campaign are publicly identified. Chris Plante, the national organization’s regional director, told the Portland Press Herald last week that the group will “do whatever it takes to defend this and protect our donors’ anonymity.”

If the State Ethics Commission has found that NOM violated Maine election law and operated outside of their protected status as a non-profit, I'm sorry, it's their fault if they have to disclose their donors.

I am very much looking forward to seeing that list. It could, potentially, have an impact on November's elections.