California commission headed to court over Arizona nonprofit

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California’s campaign finance watchdog is going to court Thursday in pursuit of more information about the $11-million donation from an Arizona nonprofit.

The Fair Political Practices Commission is seeking a wide range of records, including text messages and financial statements, to determine whether it can use California regulations to unmask the donors behind the controversial political contribution.

‘We have the right to the information,’ said Ann Ravel, the commission’s chairwoman. ‘We want to get it quickly because the election is impending.’

A hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Superior Court in Sacramento County, Ravel said.

The Arizona nonprofit, Americans for Responsible Leadership, gave $11 million last week to the Small Business Action Committee, which is fighting Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax hikes and pushing a ballot measure to curb union influence.

Common Cause filed a complaint accusing donors of improperly using the Arizona group to funnel money into California campaigns. The committee that received the money says it has followed all the rules and called the complaint politically motivated.

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-- Chris Megerian in Sacramento
twitter.com/chrismegerian