Comments on: Probe of Mormon Church Underway

By: Teddy Partridge

Teddy Partridge — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:15:48 +0000

This the agency whose institutional history includes challenging DiFi — and her wealthy husband, Blum — on huge hidden campaign contributions and loans. I doubt they will quaver in front of the Mormon leadership. Of course, that was long ago.

By: Phoenix Woman

Phoenix Woman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:11:56 +0000

Let the throwdown commence!

By: Teddy Partridge

Teddy Partridge — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:56:45 +0000

I hope the Mormon leadership is also threatened by an investigation that makes them look like scofflaws. They treasure their reputation as law-abiding citizens, and would hate to see it harmed.

But you are correct, it’s the gays marrying that they really hate. Although I wonder if the investigation, since they go on for a while, would impinge on their participation in a 2010 initiative election?

By: macaquerman

macaquerman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:45:08 +0000

Thanks for your response and I hope that you’re right.
I fear that the LDS, vastly rich, feels threatened by any re-defining of marriage laws.

By: Teddy Partridge

Teddy Partridge — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:57:40 +0000

Don;t underestimate the aversion church leaders have to being exposed as liars and cheats. They claim to have done everything correctly and according to the law, because telling the truth is very much a part of the faith-picture they paint for adherents. Being charged and investigated for this illegality will be deeply humiliating to them, let alone being found to be noncompliant.

Incidentally, their faith partners, Dobson et al, each indicated inkind contributions in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Considering the Mormon Church’s much heavier involvement, their fines could be extensive.

By: Teddy Partridge

Teddy Partridge — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:49:40 +0000

If you’ll read the article source, you’ll discover that CFPPC complaints can mature into civil suits, in which the CFPPC seeks damages treble the amount of the violation, in addition to penalties of five thousand dollars per occurrence.

Treble damages from the Mormon Church could start to hurt, not to mention the shame involved.

By: Teddy Partridge

Teddy Partridge — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:47:36 +0000

By their own rules, the FPPC is required to respond to complaints within 14 days, either certify the complaint and open an investigation, or say, Nope, nothing to see here, move along….

So I wouldn’t read a lot into the speed with which they undertook the complaint, but the fact that they undertook it at all, and agreed to open an investigation, is promised, if in fact Karger’s five percent statistic is true.

These guys don’t fool around — the CFPPC can make politicians’ lives hell.

By: macaquerman

macaquerman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:45:27 +0000

Expensive and embarrassing?
It’s hard to imagine the size of the fine that the Mormon Church would find painful and fanciful to think that such a fine might be exacted.
It’s absurd to think that the LDS leadership is going to be chagrined or even fractionally deterred by a failure-to-file.
The issue is anything but far from home to them. If you don’t understand their motivation, you’re going to have trouble in effectively opposing them.

By: cbl2

cbl2 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:38:02 +0000

it is indeed significant that they took up the matter.

the speed with which they certified portends as well - either the “irregularities” were stark or Karger had him some serious, deft legal help

counting on ya to keep us informed on how things proceed. this could be good.

p.s. love that graphic !

By: TobyWollin

TobyWollin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:33:26 +0000

“…and if they find violations, make it expensive and embarrassing to meddle in a civil rights fight ~~far from home.~~” ANYWHERE. None of their damn business. Period. End of story.