Independent groups that do not disclose the identity of their donors spent $132.5 million to influence elections nationwide this year, accounting for about a third of all spending by outside groups in the 2010 election cycle, a report released Friday found.
The analysis by the office of New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio aimed to quantify how federal campaigns had been affected by the Supreme Court’s so-called Citizens United ruling. The ruling, handed down in January, cleared the way for companies and unions to spend unlimited funds to influence elections, often using money from anonymous donors.
Groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees took advantage of the new rules, spending tens of millions on campaign ads in races across the country.
Other groups formed specifically to make use of the new rules spent lavishly as well, including the Republican-leaning American Crossroads and Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies, which were formed with help from former President George W. Bush’s top adviser, Karl Rove.
De Blasio’s office analyzed aggregate spending data filed to the Federal Election Commission, along with independent expenditure records. The office also conducted a more in-depth analysis on the ten costliest Senate races in 2010.
Among the findings:
• Anonymous or unlimited corporate spending allowed by the Citizens United ruling represented 15 percent of all federal political spending in 2010.
• Spending allowed by Citizens United accounted for $85 million in all 2010 Senate races, $40 million of which went to the ten costliest contests.
• Ads paid for by groups soliciting anonymous donors were more likely to be negative than those paid for by groups that disclose their donors. Seventy-five percent of the ads paid for by anonymous donors were negative, as opposed to 54 percent of ads by groups that name their donors.
• Heavy spending by groups under Citizens United did not necessarily guarantee victory. In three of the most expensive Senate races, candidates won despite a heavy onslaught of Citizens United spending directed at them.
Those included Nevada, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid defeated Republican Sharron Angle; California, where incumbent Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer held off a strong challenge from Republican Carly Fiorina; and Connecticut, where Democratic Attorney General Richard Blumenthal defeated Republican Linda McMahon to claim the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Reach Divorce Settlement After 8 Years
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history but not every legal issue between the two.
Jolie and Pitt signed off on a default declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, saying they have entered into a written agreement on their marital and property rights. The settlement was first reported by People magazine.
"More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt," Jolie's attorney, James Simon, said in a statement. "She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over."
The filing says they give up the right to any future spousal financial support, but gives no other details. A judge will need to sign off on the agreement. An email late Monday night to Pitt's attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered.
Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, were among Hollywood's most prominent pairings for 12 years, two of them as a married couple. The Oscar winners have six children together.
Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, after a private jet flight from Europe during which she said Pitt physically abused her and their children. The FBI and child services officials investigated Pitt's actions on the flight. Two months later, the FBI released a statement saying it would not investigate further, and the U.S. attorney did not bring charges.
A heavily redacted FBI report obtained by The Associated Press in 2022 said that an agent provided a probable cause... Read More