Appeal filed in 'LLC loophole' case
After suffering setbacks in lower courts, the plaintiffs behind a lawsuit seeking to overturn the so-called "LLC loophole" in election law have filed an appeal in the state Supreme Court's appellate division.
The case involves a petition filed against the state Board of Elections by the Brennan Center for Justice and several Democratic lawmakers, among others.
The LLC loophole – based on a 1996 Board of Elections decision – allows limited liability companies to give up to $150,000 a year in aggregate donations to political candidates. The loophole has been exploited by some contributors who use multiple limited liability companies to donate vast amounts of money to certain candidates. The practice has also been highlighted by federal prosecutors in several high-profile political corruption trials.
Judges in Greene and Albany counties threw out petitions by the plaintiffs — the Brennan Center for Justice and several Democratic lawmakers — without addressing the merits of their legal arguments to have the practice overturned. The plaintiffs are hopeful an appellate panel will review the case fully.
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Appeal-filed-in-LLC-loophole-case-11256612.php