For Congress

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

For Congress CHABOT FOR CONGRESS November 17,2017 Federal Election Commission h Office of Complaints Examination and Legal Administration ATTN: Kathrj'n Ross, Paralegal § 999 E Street, NW i Washington, D.C. 20436 RE: MUR NO. 7272 Dear Commissioners: I am writing on behalf of Congressman Steve Chabot and Cliabot for Congress as its Treasurer (referred to collectively as "we") in response to MUR NO. 7272. We have the unenviable, if not impossible, task of proving not only a negative, but also proving a negative about which no actual information or evidence has been produced by the complainant, J. Whitfield Larrabee. Despite the lack of evidence provided in Mr. Larrabee's complaint (the "Complaint"), we have been able to uncover, contrary to Mr. Larrabee's allegations, that the contribution to Chabot for Congress in question was made at a time during which the contributor (Edward Kutler) did not represent Ukrainian interests. As detailed below, this evidence vitiates the entire Complaint as it relates to Congressman Steve Chabot and his campaign, Chabot for Congress. In MUR NO. 7272, Mr. Larrabee charges 24 different parties for their involvement in a vaguely-defined intemational conspiracy to "corrupt[] the 2014 primary and general elections, the deliberations of the United States Senate and the deliberations of the United States House of Representatives.'" As evidence of this conspiracy, Mr. Larrabee cites fees received by numerous registered lobbyists from several Ukrainian interests, including (as it pertains to this response) the European Centre For a Modem Ukraine ("ECFMU"). Mr. Larrabee did not name Congressman Chabot nor his campaign as a party to the Complaint, nor did he provide any evidence that either were a party to this alleged conspiracy. Instead, he provided one fact (the existence of a $500 political contribution) that he suggests alone justifies further investigation. ' See MUR NO. 7272, paragraph 1. Paid for Chabot for Congress The following is the entirety of the reference to Congressman Chabot and his campaign in Mr. Larrabee's complaint: "Federal Election Commission records show the following contribution from Kutler to Steve Chabot for Congress: Contributor Name Recipient State Employer Receipt Date Amount Kutler, Edward Steve Chabot for Congress VA Mercury Instruments 07/16/2014 $500.00 "Steven Chabot is a Member of the House of Representatives from the 1" Congressionai District in Ohio who aiso served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2013 and 2014. it is iikeiy that this contribution was made in furtherance of the iobbyists' scheme to contribute funds from the Party of Regions and the ECFMU to federal candidates. Further investigation of Steven Chabot's and Steve Chabot for Congress' involvement in this scheme is warranted."^ Again, Mr. Larrabee provides no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Congressman Chabot or his campaign. And he doesn't really make a claim, or levy a charge. He just suggests maybe this particular contribution should be investigated. Well, we have investigated the contribution, and here is what we've found. According to FEC records, the $500 contribution referenced by Mr. Larrabee was made by Ed Kutler to Chabot for Congress on July 16,2014. However, based on filings made on April 28,2017, neither Ed Kutler nor his employer. Mercury Public Affairs, represented the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine at the time the contribution was made. According to those filings. Mercury and Kutler terminated their representation of ECFMU on May 8,2014, more than two months before Mr. Kutler contributed to Chabot for Congress.^ Mr. Larrabee knew, or should have known, this to be true before he filed the Complaint, as he references Mercury's filings on numerous occasions.^ In at least two separate places on its Supplemental FARA for the Six Month Period Ending 5/8/14 (and amendment). Mercury discloses that its representation of ECFMU ended in May 2014.^ But, that is not all that Mr. Larrabee knew from reading Mercury's FARA filings. In those filings, which cover periods ranging from April, 2012 until May 8, 2014, over 200 contributions made by Mercury employees are listed. Additionally, nearly 50 contacts between Mercury employees or clients and Members of Congress or their staffs or committee staffs are disclosed. And yet, not one of those more than 250 separate disclosures mentions Congressman Steve Chabot or his campaign committee.^ ^ See MUR NO. 7272, paragraphs S3 and 54. ' See Exhibit A: Mercury FARA Filings, April 28,2017. * See MUR NO. 7272, paragraphs 26-30,60-61. ^ See Exhibit A, speciflcaily the May 8, 2014 Supplemental FARA, question 7 (page 3), and question 11 (page 10). ^See Exhibit A. Paid for Chabot for Congress Given the lack of evidence contained within the Complaint regarding Congressman Chabot and his campaign, it would certainly appear as if Mr. Larrabee is also unaware of any evidence outside of these filings directly implicating Congressman Chabot or his campaign. If that is not enough evidence that Mr. Larrabee's reference to Congressman Chabot is baseless, Congressman Chabot's own words prove he was not a party to Mr. Larrabee's alleged international conspiracy. To the extent that the grand conspiracy alleged by Mr. Larrabee is comprehensible from the Complaint, it appears it consisted, in Mr. Larrabee's words, of efforts by several lobbyists and lobbying firms, led by Paul J. Manafort, Jr., to provide campaign contributions to Members of Congress from foreign sources related to the Ukrainian and Russian governments. These contributions were part of a scheme to "gain positive press coverage of [former Ukrainian President Viktor Yaniikovych and other] Ukrainian officials," "water down or defeat a resolution (H. Res. 28) under consideration in the House condemning the persecution of Yulia Tymeshenko, an opponent of Yanukovych in the 2010 Ukraine election," and to help "promote Russian interests in the former Soviet republics, to undermine anti-Russia opposition in the United States, and to benefit the [Vladimir] Putin government."^ While there is no earthly manner in which Congressman Chabot or his campaign can confirm or deny the existence of the alleged conspiracy, other than to say that neither he nor his campaign participated in such a conspiracy, nor do they have any knowledge or evidence to provide regarding such a scheme. Congressman Chabot has made his position regarding Yanukovych, Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine crystal clear. Specifically, Congressman.Chabot maintains a political blog on his campaign website, and we have attached several entries that reference Ukraine, Putin and the Russian invasion of Crimea.' On at least two separate occasions on his campaign blog alone. Congressman Chabot referred to Vladimir Putin as a "thug."' Additionally, in that same fomm, he publicly advised President Trump to pressure Putin to exit Crimea on at least two occasions." He also dedicated an entire blog entiy to the efforts of Putin to "bully" former Soviet republics and repeatedly criticized Putin's aggression towards those countries." Regarding Mr. Yanukovych, Congressman Chabot referred to him as "particularly corrupt," charged that he "had his opponent [Yulia Tymeshenko] in the presidential election imprisoned on trumped-up charges," and that he ordered his "thugs" to "viciously attack[] and beat[] peaceful protestors."" All of these blog entries are readily available on Congressman Chabot's campaign page (www.stevechabot.com'>. which is the fourth website that appears when "Steve Chabot" is googled. ' See MUR NO. 7272, paragraphs 38,40 and 43. ^ See Exhibit B; Chabot Campaign Blog Entries. ^ See Exhibit B, specifically blogs dated 1/18/17 and 3/8/17. " See Exhibit B, specifically blogs dated 1/18/17 and 7/S/17. " See Exhibit B. specifically blogs dated 5/21/14, 7/23/14,8/27/14,9/24/14,1/13/16,4/20/17, and 8/17/16. " See Exhibit B, specifically blog dated 5/21/14. Paid for Chabot for Congress But, maybe Mr. Larrabee is simply unaware of how Google works. By simply "googling" his name (J. Whitfield Larrabee), here is what we found. In the past 18 months in addition to MUR NO. 7272, Mr. Larrabee has filed numerous complaints against Republicans, including: an ethics complaint in Florida against then-candidate Donald Trump and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (which was dismissed for lack of evidence); complaints with the IRS against Trump and Paul Manafort; a request that a federal criminal investigation be launched against Attorney General Jeff Sessions; and bar association complaints against Sessions, Manafort, and former White House Chief of StaffReince Priebiis in Alabama, Connecticut and Wisconsin respectively." On his Twitter feed (@jwlarrabee), Mr. Larrabee regularly rants against Republicans, particularly those in the Trump Administration, and praises Democratic initiatives, such as Senator Bemie Sanders' Medicare for All Plan and the "Resistance" movement. More significantly, he actively promotes the media coverage of the many complaints he has filed. In fact, the more you read his Twitter account, the more it appears that the primaiy' purpose of Mr. Larrabee's multitude of complaints is to gain earned media and ^ tamish the targets, rather than actually expose any wrongdoing." Along those same lines, in an August 22, 2016 Orlando Sentinel stoiy about the Trump/Bondi ethics complaint, Mr. Larrabee stated: "What I'm trying to do is prevent what I see as corrupt, unprincipled, bigoted and ruthless individuals from gaining or holding onto political
Recommended publications
  • Congressional Record—Senate S3306
    S3306 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 11, 2019 perpetuating the opioid epidemic, fuel- RECESS ganda and identify foreign attempts to ing a cycle of violence, and abusing in- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under influence Congress and the American nocent civilians, they are growing rich- the previous order, the Senate stands public. Until recently, however, this er and richer by the minute. in recess until 2:15 p.m. Foreign Agents Registration Act has Targeting these organizations means Thereupon, the Senate, at 12:30 p.m., been seldom used. more than stopping the flow of drugs recessed until 2:15 p.m. and reassem- Now—get this—only 15 violators of into our country; it means ending a bled when called to order by the Pre- this act have been criminally pros- cycle of crime and violence and work- ecuted since 1966, and 1966 was the date siding Officer (Mrs. CAPITO). ing together with Mexico and Central when this law was last updated. Of American countries to help them es- f course, now I am trying to update it cape the savage grip of these criminal EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued again. About half of these prosecu- organizations. tions, of the 15, stem from the work of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Additionally, we need to strengthen Special Counsel Mueller’s investiga- ator from Iowa. security cooperation with our inter- tion, though that is not due to the lack national partners so that they are able FOREIGN AGENTS DISCLOSURE AND of foreign influence efforts to affect REGISTRATION ENHANCEMENT ACT to more effectively fight side by side our Federal decision making.
    [Show full text]
  • STANDING COMMITTEES of the HOUSE Agriculture
    STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE [Democrats in roman; Republicans in italic; Resident Commissioner and Delegates in boldface] [Room numbers beginning with H are in the Capitol, with CHOB in the Cannon House Office Building, with LHOB in the Longworth House Office Building, with RHOB in the Rayburn House Office Building, with H1 in O’Neill House Office Building, and with H2 in the Ford House Office Building] Agriculture 1301 Longworth House Office Building, phone 225–2171, fax 225–8510 http://agriculture.house.gov meets first Wednesday of each month Collin C. Peterson, of Minnesota, Chair Tim Holden, of Pennsylvania. Bob Goodlatte, of Virginia. Mike McIntyre, of North Carolina. Terry Everett, of Alabama. Bob Etheridge, of North Carolina. Frank D. Lucas, of Oklahoma. Leonard L. Boswell, of Iowa. Jerry Moran, of Kansas. Joe Baca, of California. Robin Hayes, of North Carolina. Dennis A. Cardoza, of California. Timothy V. Johnson, of Illinois. David Scott, of Georgia. Sam Graves, of Missouri. Jim Marshall, of Georgia. Jo Bonner, of Alabama. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, of South Dakota. Mike Rogers, of Alabama. Henry Cuellar, of Texas. Steve King, of Iowa. Jim Costa, of California. Marilyn N. Musgrave, of Colorado. John T. Salazar, of Colorado. Randy Neugebauer, of Texas. Brad Ellsworth, of Indiana. Charles W. Boustany, Jr., of Louisiana. Nancy E. Boyda, of Kansas. John R. ‘‘Randy’’ Kuhl, Jr., of New York. Zachary T. Space, of Ohio. Virginia Foxx, of North Carolina. Timothy J. Walz, of Minnesota. K. Michael Conaway, of Texas. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, of New York. Jeff Fortenberry, of Nebraska. Steve Kagen, of Wisconsin. Jean Schmidt, of Ohio.
    [Show full text]
  • Corruption in the Defense Sector: Identifying Key Risks to U.S
    Corruption in the Defense Sector: Identifying Key Risks to U.S. Counterterrorism Aid Colby Goodman and Christina Arabia October 2018 About Center for International Policy The Center for International Policy promotes cooperation, transparency, and accountability in U.S.global relations. Through research and advocacy, our programs address the most urgent threats to our planet: war, corruption, inequality, and climate change. CIP’s scholars, journal- ists, activists and former government ofcials provide a unique mixture of access to high-level ofcials, issue-area expertise, media savvy and strategic vision. We work to inform the public and decision makers in the United States and in international organizations on policies to make the world more just, peaceful, and sustainable. About Foriegn Influence Transparency Inititative While investigations into Russian infuence in the 2016 election regularly garner front-page head- lines, there is a half-billion-dollar foreign infuence industry working to shape U.S. foreign policy every single day that remains largely unknown to the public. The Foreign Infuence Transparency Initiative is working to change that anonymity through transparency promotion, investigative research, and public education. Acknowledgments This report would not have been possible without the hard work and support of a number of people. First and foremost, Hannah Poteete, who tirelessly coded nearly all of the data mentioned here. Her attention to detail and dedication to the task were extraordinary. The report also could not have been completed without the exemplary work of Avery Beam, Thomas Low, and George Savas who assisted with writing, data analysis, fact-checking, formatting, and editing. Salih Booker and William Hartung of the Center for International Policy consistently supported this project, all the way from idea inception through editing and completion of this report.
    [Show full text]
  • A Legal Proceeding Against Two Notorious Conspiracy Theorists Over
    Case 1:20-cv-08668-VM Document 102 Filed 05/19/21 Page 1 of 28 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK NATIONAL COALITION ON BLACK CIVIC PARTICIPATION, MARY WINTER, GENE STEINBERG, NANCY HART, SARAH WOLFF, KAREN SLAVEN, KATE KENNEDY, EDA DANIEL, and ANDREA SFERES, CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:20-CV-08668 Plaintiffs, COMPLAINT IN INTERVENTION -and- People of the STATE OF NEW YORK, by its attorney general, LETITIA JAMES, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Plaintiff-Intervenor, v. JACOB WOHL, JACK BURKMAN, J.M. BURKMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC, PROJECT 1599, MESSAGE COMMUNICATIONS, INC., and ROBERT MAHANIAN Defendants. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 1. All eligible voters have the right to vote unimpeded by deception or intimidation. The right to vote “in a free and unimpaired manner is preservative of other basic civil and political rights” and “any alleged infringement of the right of citizens to vote must be carefully and meticulously scrutinized.” Reynolds v. Sims, 377 U.S. 533, 562 (1964). 1 Case 1:20-cv-08668-VM Document 102 Filed 05/19/21 Page 2 of 28 2. This case is about a targeted, discriminatory effort to infringe on the fundamental rights of New Yorkers—and others across the country—to vote in a safe, lawful manner. Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, through Burkman’s lobbying firm, J.M. Burkman & Associates, and the purported organization Project 1599 (collectively “Wohl and Burkman”), concocted a racist campaign that trafficked in stereotypes and spread lies and deception all for their shared goal of intimidating voters and depressing voter turnout to disrupt a presidential election.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pulitzer Prizes 2020 Winne
    WINNERS AND FINALISTS 1917 TO PRESENT TABLE OF CONTENTS Excerpts from the Plan of Award ..............................................................2 PULITZER PRIZES IN JOURNALISM Public Service ...........................................................................................6 Reporting ...............................................................................................24 Local Reporting .....................................................................................27 Local Reporting, Edition Time ..............................................................32 Local General or Spot News Reporting ..................................................33 General News Reporting ........................................................................36 Spot News Reporting ............................................................................38 Breaking News Reporting .....................................................................39 Local Reporting, No Edition Time .......................................................45 Local Investigative or Specialized Reporting .........................................47 Investigative Reporting ..........................................................................50 Explanatory Journalism .........................................................................61 Explanatory Reporting ...........................................................................64 Specialized Reporting .............................................................................70
    [Show full text]
  • The New Frontier of Activism - a Study of the Conditioning Factors for the Role of Modern Day Activists
    The new frontier of activism - a study of the conditioning factors for the role of modern day activists Master’s Thesis Andreas Holbak Espersen | MSocSc Political Communication & Management Søren Walther Bjerregård | MSc International Business & Politics Supervisor Erik Caparros Højbjerg | Departmenent of Management, Politics and Philosophy Submitted 7th November 2016 | STUs: 251.792 Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 0 - Research question and literature review ....................................................................................... 6 0.1 Preface ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 0.2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 0.2.1 Research area .................................................................................................................................................................... 9 0.3 Literature review ...................................................................................................................................................................... 11 0.3.1 Activism in International
    [Show full text]
  • Online Media and the 2016 US Presidential Election
    Partisanship, Propaganda, and Disinformation: Online Media and the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Faris, Robert M., Hal Roberts, Bruce Etling, Nikki Bourassa, Ethan Zuckerman, and Yochai Benkler. 2017. Partisanship, Propaganda, and Disinformation: Online Media and the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society Research Paper. Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:33759251 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA AUGUST 2017 PARTISANSHIP, Robert Faris Hal Roberts PROPAGANDA, & Bruce Etling Nikki Bourassa DISINFORMATION Ethan Zuckerman Yochai Benkler Online Media & the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This paper is the result of months of effort and has only come to be as a result of the generous input of many people from the Berkman Klein Center and beyond. Jonas Kaiser and Paola Villarreal expanded our thinking around methods and interpretation. Brendan Roach provided excellent research assistance. Rebekah Heacock Jones helped get this research off the ground, and Justin Clark helped bring it home. We are grateful to Gretchen Weber, David Talbot, and Daniel Dennis Jones for their assistance in the production and publication of this study. This paper has also benefited from contributions of many outside the Berkman Klein community. The entire Media Cloud team at the Center for Civic Media at MIT’s Media Lab has been essential to this research.
    [Show full text]
  • Individuals Lobbying for BP Since the Beginning of 2009
    Individuals Lobbying for BP Since the Beginning of 2009 (as of June 4, 2010) Political Contributions Lobbyist Since 2008 Firm Former Government Position(s) Election Cycle Cristina Antelo $5,008 Podesta Group Senate Democratic Steering Committee Executive Assistant, Rep. Harold Ford (D- Teal Baker $9,160 Podesta Group Tenn.) Legislative Assistant, Sen. Blanche Lincoln Chuck Barnett $17,150 Alpine Group (D-Ark.) DC Legislative & David Beaudreau $2,170 Regulatory Services None found Michael Berman $282,650 Duberstein Group Vice President's Office (Walter Mondale) Communications Director, House Appropriations Committee; Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration; Special Assistant to Secretary of Labor, Department of Labor; Department of Transportation, General Counsel's Honors Program; Executive Paul Brathwaite $51,150 Podesta Group Director, Congressional Black Caucus Michael Brien $0 BP America None found Bob Brooks $90,150 Alpine Group Chief of Staff, Rep. Jim McCrery (R-La.) Matt Caswell $0 BP America None found Executive Floor Assistant, House Majority Whip; Executive Director, House Steven Champlin $179,550 Duberstein Group Democratic Caucus Deputy Executive Assistant to the Secretary, Department of Agriculture; Deputy to the Director of Congressional Relations, Department of Agriculture; DC Legislative & Special Assistant, Rep. E. Thomas Coleman David Crow $15,000 Regulatory Services (R-Mo.) Associate Director, Office of Management & Budget; White House Office, Legislative Randall Davis $22,800 Stuntz, Davis & Staffier and Congressional Affairs Kenneth Duberstein $34,650 Duberstein Group Chief of Staff, President Ronald Reagan Legislative Director, Sen. Tim Johnson (D- Dwight Fettig $16,050 Arnold & Porter S.D.) DC Legislative & Laurie-Ann Flanagan $0 Regulatory Services None found Kimberly Fritts $18,780 Podesta Group Sen.
    [Show full text]
  • The Full Policy Paper Is Available for Download
    Table of Contents About the Authors ................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 3 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 4 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Chapter 1. US Foreign Policy and Atrocity Prevention .......................................................................... 11 Chapter 2. Atrocity Prevention Policy Tools and Policy Advances from 2012 to 2016 ......................... 33 Chapter 3. Country Cases ..................................................................................................................... 44 Burundi .............................................................................................................................................. 44 Central African Republic .................................................................................................................... 55 Democratic Republic of the Congo .................................................................................................... 64 Iraq ...................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Official List of Members
    OFFICIAL LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES AND THEIR PLACES OF RESIDENCE ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS • DECEMBER 15, 2020 Compiled by CHERYL L. JOHNSON, Clerk of the House of Representatives http://clerk.house.gov Democrats in roman (233); Republicans in italic (195); Independents and Libertarians underlined (2); vacancies (5) CA08, CA50, GA14, NC11, TX04; total 435. The number preceding the name is the Member's district. ALABAMA 1 Bradley Byrne .............................................. Fairhope 2 Martha Roby ................................................ Montgomery 3 Mike Rogers ................................................. Anniston 4 Robert B. Aderholt ....................................... Haleyville 5 Mo Brooks .................................................... Huntsville 6 Gary J. Palmer ............................................ Hoover 7 Terri A. Sewell ............................................. Birmingham ALASKA AT LARGE Don Young .................................................... Fort Yukon ARIZONA 1 Tom O'Halleran ........................................... Sedona 2 Ann Kirkpatrick .......................................... Tucson 3 Raúl M. Grijalva .......................................... Tucson 4 Paul A. Gosar ............................................... Prescott 5 Andy Biggs ................................................... Gilbert 6 David Schweikert ........................................ Fountain Hills 7 Ruben Gallego ............................................
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents
    TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................2 I. THE GOP INVESTIGATION ADVANCED RUSSIA’S ELECTION INTERFERENCE EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP ..................................................................5 A. Putin and the Kremlin Support the GOP’s Ukraine Conspiracy Theories .......................6 B. GOP Allegations Originate From Sources Closely Tied to Kremlin and Promoting Russian Interests .....................................................................................................................9 1. GOP Investigation is Outcome of Derkach’s Election Interference Efforts .................9 2. Star Witness Telizhenko Has Close Ties to Derkach and Causes National Security Concerns ........................................................................................................................... 12 3. GOP Chairmen Repeatedly Cite Discredited Reporter’s Opinion Columns as Findings of Fact ............................................................................................................................... 16 4. Derkach Ally Giuliani Provided Biden Dirt to GOP Sources.................................... 19 C. Republicans Admit Purpose of Investigation is to Attack Vice President Biden’s Candidacy for President ........................................................................................................ 20 D. No GOP Interest In Hunter Biden Allegations Until Impeachment and 2020 Presidential
    [Show full text]
  • Free Speech Group Fights Lawsuits Vs. News Sharers 30 September 2010, by CRISTINA SILVA , Associated Press Writer
    Free speech group fights lawsuits vs. news sharers 30 September 2010, By CRISTINA SILVA , Associated Press Writer (AP) -- A San Francisco group that defends online "That's just ridiculous, and the reason it is ridiculous free speech is taking on a Las Vegas company it is that I don't think there has been any defendant says is shaking down news-sharing Internet users that we've called to shake them down for a through more than 140 copyright infringement settlement," he said. lawsuits filed this year. Dozens of the lawsuits have been settled privately, The Electronic Frontier Foundation's counterclaim and Righthaven and Stephens Media declined to represents the first significant challenge to disclose the terms. The EFF says the settlements Righthaven LLC's unprecedented campaign to have averaged about $5,000. police the sharing of news content on blogs, political sites and personal Web pages. Movie and music producers have previously targeted individuals who illegally share copyright At stake is what constitutes fair use - when and content. What makes Righthaven's business model how it is appropriate to share content in an age unique is that it buys copyrights from news where newsmakers increasingly encourage companies like Stephens Media and then readers to share stories on Facebook, Twitter, aggressively files lawsuits without first giving Digg and other social networking sites. defendants a chance to remove the content in question. The EFF argues that the lawsuits limit free speech and bully defendants into costly settlements by Allen Lichtenstein, a lawyer for the Nevada threatening $150,000 in damages and the transfer American Civil Liberties Union, said the lawsuits of domain names.
    [Show full text]