‘Dirty money’ measure targeted

Lawsuit aims to keep proposal off the ballot

Conservative groups have filed a lawsuit attempting to prevent a citizen initiative that targets anonymous campaign spending in elections from appearing on the Arizona ballot.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday, aims to disqualify thousands of signatures collected in support of the so-called “Outlaw Dirty Money” constitutional amendment, which would make public the identity of all major campaign contributors.

Supporters of the campaign need 225,963 valid signatures for their amendment to remain on the Nov. 6 ballot. They submitted 285,768.

The lawsuit doesn’t specify how many signatures opponents believe are invalid. But it states numerous pet-

ition sheets must be disqualified because they were collected by paid gatherers who aren’t registered with the state, as the law requires, or who are convicted felons.

In Arizona, citizen groups that bring initiatives to change state law must comply with a strict set of rules, including a requirement that any paid petition gatherers be eligible to register to vote.

The lawsuit alleges that some petition gatherers for the Outlaw Dirty Money amendment are felons whose civil rights have not been restored.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the leaders of high-profile conservative organizations known as “dark money” groups because they spend heavily to influence elections without disclosing their donors.

They include Andrew Clark, state director for Americans for Prosperity, a group with deep ties to billionaires David and Charles Koch; and Scot Mussi, director of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club.

The Outlaw Dirty Money campaign responded to the lawsuit by blasting the Kochs, asserting they want to hide their influence in Arizona. The campaign extended a “standing invitation” to the brothers to debate the issue of anonymous spending.

“It’s unfortunate that neither of the Koch Bros. is willing to come out of hiding, get here to Arizona, and debate why their dirty money is good for our state,” the campaign said in a statement.

“In the meantime, the Outlaw Dirty Money committee has been prepared for them and this tactic for months. Arizona citizens deserve the right to vote on this issue and we are determined to protect that right.”

An attorney for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Media representatives for Koch Industries Inc., didn’t respond to a request for comment.

The proposed amendment, if passed by voters, could have a drastic impact on millions of dollars spent to influence elections in Arizona.

It would require anyone spending more than $10,000 to oppose or support candidates or ballot measures to disclose everyone who contributed $2,500 or more to the effort. Violators would be subject to fines.