California tribe settles political donation case

Wednesday, January 9, 2008  

The Santa Rosa Indian Community of California has settled a lawsuit over the reporting of campaign contributions to the state.

The tribe said it didn't have to abide by the state's campaign finance and lobbying disclosure laws. But the state Supreme Court, in a similar case involving the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, rejected the argument.

The Agua Caliente Band resolved its case last fall. The Santa Rosa Tribe agreed to pay 25,000 and to comply fully with the state's Political Reform Act and the rules of the state's Fair Political Practices Commission.

Get the Story:
Tribes agree to comply with financial disclosure laws (Copley News Service 1/9)

Supreme Court Docket Sheet:
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians v. Superior Court of California (No. 06A1047)

California Supreme Court Decision:
Caliente Band etc. v. Super. Ct (December 21, 2006)

Lower Court Decisions:
FPPC V. Santa Rosa Indian Community (October 27, 2004) | Agua Caliente Band v. FPPC (March 3, 2004)

Relevant Links:

Fair Political Practices Commission - http://www.fppc.ca.gov

Related Stories:
California tribe drops campaign contribution lawsuit (7/16)
Opinion: California tribes must follow same rules (01/22)
Tribes back Agua Caliente Band in contribution case (1/19)
Tribe takes on campaign finance ruling (1/8)
Editorial: California tribes must play by the rules (1/2)
Tribal contributions drop after Abramoff scandal (11/02)
California's top court to hear tribal contribution case (09/07)
Tribal lobbying spending falls in wake of Abramoff (08/07)
FEC official seeks to rein in tribal political donations (02/16)
FEC seeks to correct 'errors' about tribal donations (02/08)
Tribal political donations under scrutiny in Washington (01/31)
Court says state rights trump tribal sovereignty (10/28)
Agua Caliente Tribe appeals campaign finance ruling (04/29)
Calif. court rules tribes subject to state campaign laws (3/4)
Calif. court to rule on tribal political donations (2/19)
Calif. court to resolve conflicting tribal rulings (07/24)
Calif. election board appeals ruling favoring tribe (7/16)
Editorial: Don't negotiate state sovereignty (04/29)
Court rulings on campaign donations in conflict (4/28)
Calif. tribe appeals campaign donation suit (03/06)
Editorial: State sovereignty was under attack (3/4)
Indian gaming agenda discussed at meeting (02/28)
Calif. tribe subject to state election laws (2/28)
Tribal disclosure of gifts at issue (01/09)
Calif. tribe paid $100K to meet Norton (12/12)
State board alleges tribe failed to report (10/30)
Calif. tribe sued over political gifts (09/27)