Gay-rights group drops boycott against Garff
Bruce Bastian helped negotiate a deal.
By Tony Semerad
The Salt Lake Tribune
02/27/2009 03:59:02 PM MST
A California gay-rights group announced Friday it is formally ending a boycott of one of Utah's most high-profile car dealerships.
Californians Against Hate had called for a boycott of Ken Garff Automotive Group's 53 dealerships in six states in retaliation for a $100,000 donation made by Garff family matriarch Katharine Garff in support of Proposition 8, California's same-sex marriage ban, part of a total of $3.8 million donated for and against Prop 8 by Utahns.
The same-sex-marriage ban is now being challenged in Calfornia Supreme Court.
Fred Karger, director of Californians Against Hate, said Friday the two-week boycott of Ken Garff Automotive Group was being called off immediately, following a series of meetings that included face-to-face discussions between company principals John and Robert Garff and Utah philanthropist Bruce Bastian, a leading gay-rights advocate.
"We're just ecstatic," said Karger, who said his group was moving swiftly to take down a Web site and other Internet presences associated with the boycott. "It's a wonderful situation ... a happy ending."
Said Bastian: "We were able to discuss this openly and honestly with the Garffs and reach an understanding. I think they understand now why this was upsetting and hurtful to many people."
The former Word Perfect executive said, among other steps, the Garff company would be formally adopting "a non-discriminatory company policy, even though they are pretty much there already."
Bastian declined to outline any other conditions of the settlement.
John Garff, the company's CEO, has insisted that his mother's $100,000 donation was a personal gesture and in no way reflected the company's political stance.
He declined to comment further Friday, except to say, "I believe we all came away from those meetings with a greater level of mutual respect and understanding."
tsemerad@sltrib.com
Friday, February 27, 2009
STATEMENTS ON END OF
KEN GARFF AUTOMOTIVE GROUP BOYCOTT
Fred Karger, Founder, Californians Against Hate
“Two weeks ago, we called for a boycott of Ken Garff Automotive Group at a Salt Lake City news conference. A reporter there asked me if I would be willing to meet with John Garff, CEO of the company. A few hours later, I was in his office. We had a wide ranging and very productive 2 hour meeting.
John Garff and his father, Robert Garff, later met with Utah philanthropist and leader in the national LGBT community, Bruce Bastian. The purpose of that meeting was to share perspectives and to discuss a variety of issues in an effort to find mutual respect and understanding. As a result of this meeting, I am pleased to announce that Californians Against Hate will immediately end its boycott of the Ken Garff Automotive Group.”
Bruce Bastian, LGBT Philanthropist
“Last Friday, I met with Robert and John Garff. I believe that both Robert and John left the meeting with a better understanding of my work, the LGBT community, and the emotional significance of the passing of Proposition 8 to our community. I believe the Garff family now fully understands how sensitive and important this issue is to our community and to their friends and neighbors.
As Utah progresses towards an era of equality for all families, I am extremely grateful to the Garff family for being willing to listen to the community in which they reside and do business. I look forward to working together towards a better future for all.”
John Garff, CEO, Ken Garff Automotive Group
“In response to the Ken Garff Automotive Group boycott that was called for by Californians Against Hate, I met with Fred Karger, its founder. My father, Robert, and I subsequently met with Bruce Bastian, a national LGBT philanthropist with local ties to Utah. I believe we all came away from those meetings with a greater level of mutual respect and understanding.”
KEN GARFF AUTOMOTIVE GROUP BOYCOTT
Fred Karger, Founder, Californians Against Hate
“Two weeks ago, we called for a boycott of Ken Garff Automotive Group at a Salt Lake City news conference. A reporter there asked me if I would be willing to meet with John Garff, CEO of the company. A few hours later, I was in his office. We had a wide ranging and very productive 2 hour meeting.
John Garff and his father, Robert Garff, later met with Utah philanthropist and leader in the national LGBT community, Bruce Bastian. The purpose of that meeting was to share perspectives and to discuss a variety of issues in an effort to find mutual respect and understanding. As a result of this meeting, I am pleased to announce that Californians Against Hate will immediately end its boycott of the Ken Garff Automotive Group.”
Bruce Bastian, LGBT Philanthropist
“Last Friday, I met with Robert and John Garff. I believe that both Robert and John left the meeting with a better understanding of my work, the LGBT community, and the emotional significance of the passing of Proposition 8 to our community. I believe the Garff family now fully understands how sensitive and important this issue is to our community and to their friends and neighbors.
As Utah progresses towards an era of equality for all families, I am extremely grateful to the Garff family for being willing to listen to the community in which they reside and do business. I look forward to working together towards a better future for all.”
John Garff, CEO, Ken Garff Automotive Group
“In response to the Ken Garff Automotive Group boycott that was called for by Californians Against Hate, I met with Fred Karger, its founder. My father, Robert, and I subsequently met with Bruce Bastian, a national LGBT philanthropist with local ties to Utah. I believe we all came away from those meetings with a greater level of mutual respect and understanding.”
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Salt Lake City Press Conference
Special thanks go out to Chinoblanco.com for posting much of the TV coverage from Fred Karger's February 11th press conference. The coverage is titled Mr. Karger Goes to Utah:
http://www.chinoblanco.com/2009/02/mr-karger-goes-to-utah-californians.html
http://www.chinoblanco.com/2009/02/mr-karger-goes-to-utah-californians.html
Friday, February 20, 2009
Mormongate: Public's Help Sought
Huffington Post
Fred Karger
Posted February 19, 2009 08:04 PM (EST)
BIO Become a Fan
Mormongate: Public's Help Sought
huffington_post:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fred-karger/mormongate-publics-help-s_b_167713.html
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) finally turned in a very late Major Donor campaign report on its Prop 8 spending to the California Secretary of State two weeks ago. According to their filing, the Mormon Church spent $190,000 on behalf of the Yes on Prop 8 campaign to end gay marriage in California. This filing was a good beginning, but there is no telling how much they really spent. According to their report, nearly all of their spending took place during the last week of the campaign.
The First Presidency of the Mormon Church, Thomas Monson announced their active participation back on June 29th and that's when the Mormon Prop 8 Campaign went into full swing. They raised upwards of $30 million from their members, ran all the Yes on 8 advertising, set up the biggest door-to-door statewide voter outreach effort that California may have ever seen, ran phone banks in California and several other states, created an elaborate web site with 13 very slick commercials and videos, bussed in thousands of people from Utah and sent out lots of direct mail.
The Church finally reported spending $190,000 in non-monetary contributions when it filed its very late financial disclosure report on January 30, 2009 -- 3 months after election day.
We know that all of this activity did not take place just during the last seven days of the campaign. There appears to be lots of financial information missing on the report that the Mormon Church belatedly filed.
Where is the money that they spent during the summer and early fall?
They only reported spending $1,100 in September? Much of even what they reported is still very late. And a Church spokesperson even told the Salt Lake Tribune just last week that the $96,000 in staff salaries they reported for November 4, 2008 really covered Church salaries going all the way back to August 2008. It sure is not reported that way.
It appears to us that there is a cover-up. Mormon Church leaders have not told the whole story of their massive financial involvement on behalf of Californian's Prop 8. That is way we are calling this Mormongate.
The point of campaign finance reporting laws is for the voters to have all the information on who gave how much before they vote. The Mormon Church clearly tried to hide its financial participation until well after all the votes were cast.
We Need Your Help.
If you have any information on Mormon Church spending anywhere in the country that occurred during the summer and fall leading up to the November 4th election, please let us know.
We have set up a toll free tip line and email address for people to contact us with any tips on what campaign activities the Mormon Church conducted that might not have been included in their report to the California Secretary of State.
Toll Free Tip Line: 800-495-9356
Tip email address: tips@mormongate.com
If you know of phone banks set up at Mormon Churches, mailers sent out, meetings held or any other information regarding the Church's spending on Prop 8, please let us know. Any information that you want to pass along with be kept strictly confidential and will be used to file a second complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission. The FPPC is in the middle of an active investigation of the Mormon Church right now. Californians Against Hate filed its first complaint on November 13, 2008 which led to their investigation.
All we ask for is transparency. We hope that the Mormon Church will comply with the California election law and tell us exactly how much money they spent to take away the rights of millions of Californians.
Fred Karger
Posted February 19, 2009 08:04 PM (EST)
BIO Become a Fan
Mormongate: Public's Help Sought
huffington_post:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fred-karger/mormongate-publics-help-s_b_167713.html
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) finally turned in a very late Major Donor campaign report on its Prop 8 spending to the California Secretary of State two weeks ago. According to their filing, the Mormon Church spent $190,000 on behalf of the Yes on Prop 8 campaign to end gay marriage in California. This filing was a good beginning, but there is no telling how much they really spent. According to their report, nearly all of their spending took place during the last week of the campaign.
The First Presidency of the Mormon Church, Thomas Monson announced their active participation back on June 29th and that's when the Mormon Prop 8 Campaign went into full swing. They raised upwards of $30 million from their members, ran all the Yes on 8 advertising, set up the biggest door-to-door statewide voter outreach effort that California may have ever seen, ran phone banks in California and several other states, created an elaborate web site with 13 very slick commercials and videos, bussed in thousands of people from Utah and sent out lots of direct mail.
The Church finally reported spending $190,000 in non-monetary contributions when it filed its very late financial disclosure report on January 30, 2009 -- 3 months after election day.
We know that all of this activity did not take place just during the last seven days of the campaign. There appears to be lots of financial information missing on the report that the Mormon Church belatedly filed.
Where is the money that they spent during the summer and early fall?
They only reported spending $1,100 in September? Much of even what they reported is still very late. And a Church spokesperson even told the Salt Lake Tribune just last week that the $96,000 in staff salaries they reported for November 4, 2008 really covered Church salaries going all the way back to August 2008. It sure is not reported that way.
It appears to us that there is a cover-up. Mormon Church leaders have not told the whole story of their massive financial involvement on behalf of Californian's Prop 8. That is way we are calling this Mormongate.
The point of campaign finance reporting laws is for the voters to have all the information on who gave how much before they vote. The Mormon Church clearly tried to hide its financial participation until well after all the votes were cast.
We Need Your Help.
If you have any information on Mormon Church spending anywhere in the country that occurred during the summer and fall leading up to the November 4th election, please let us know.
We have set up a toll free tip line and email address for people to contact us with any tips on what campaign activities the Mormon Church conducted that might not have been included in their report to the California Secretary of State.
Toll Free Tip Line: 800-495-9356
Tip email address: tips@mormongate.com
If you know of phone banks set up at Mormon Churches, mailers sent out, meetings held or any other information regarding the Church's spending on Prop 8, please let us know. Any information that you want to pass along with be kept strictly confidential and will be used to file a second complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission. The FPPC is in the middle of an active investigation of the Mormon Church right now. Californians Against Hate filed its first complaint on November 13, 2008 which led to their investigation.
All we ask for is transparency. We hope that the Mormon Church will comply with the California election law and tell us exactly how much money they spent to take away the rights of millions of Californians.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Extree Extree Read All About It
Californians Against Hate has been in the news. Here's the latest coverage from all over the world! Simply clink on the publication name, and the story magically appears.
News Coverage #21
ABC 4 Salt Lake – 5 pm
ABC 4 Salt Lake – 10 pm
NBC – KSL TV 5 - Salt Lake
ABC – 4 Salt Lake
San Diego 6 02-15-09
KFMB TV San Diego
KUSI San Diego
International Herald Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune – 02-11-09 Mormongate
Salt Lake Tribune – 02-11-09 Garff Boycott
Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune -- Letter to the Editor
San Diego Union
San Diego Union-Tribune 02-17-09
Sacramento Bee 02-16-09
The Examiner .com – 02-15-09
San Jose Mercury News
San Francisco Chronicle
Salt Lake Tribune
McClatchy – Washington Bureau
Salt Lake Tribune – by Glen Warchol
San Francisco Chronicle
San Diego Union-Tribune 02-13-09
San Diego Union-Tribune 02-17-09
San Diego City Beat
Intolerant Faith
Best Gay Bloggers
Metropolitan News Enterprise
PPCTech
Gay and Lesbian Times
Justin McLachlan
Latter Gay Saints
Mike Tidemus
Queers United
Metropolitan News-Enterprises
Dallas Voice
The Campaign Silo
The Observer - Tucson
NG Blog
Mike Tidmus - Mormon Money
Maybe It’s Not Just Me
Gay City News
Queerty
AKA William
California Ripple Effect
Pink News UK
Mike Tidmus
Digital Journal
The Bilerico Project
Instant Pride
On Top Magazine
RSS Politic
Calitics
Mike Tidmus 01-16-09
Metropolitan News Enterprise 02-18-09
Towleroad
Gay Agenda --
Queers United
The BG News
David Mixner.com
YubaNet.com
Wimins Watch
Gay Blogger
Seattle Gay Scene
Windy City Times
Planet Transgender
Towleroad
Gay Agenda
Rex Wockner
Living in Mobile
Citizens for Progressive Change
RSS Daily
Gay and Lesbian Times
Out Write Girl
News Coverage #21
ABC 4 Salt Lake – 5 pm
ABC 4 Salt Lake – 10 pm
NBC – KSL TV 5 - Salt Lake
ABC – 4 Salt Lake
San Diego 6 02-15-09
KFMB TV San Diego
KUSI San Diego
International Herald Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune – 02-11-09 Mormongate
Salt Lake Tribune – 02-11-09 Garff Boycott
Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune -- Letter to the Editor
San Diego Union
San Diego Union-Tribune 02-17-09
Sacramento Bee 02-16-09
The Examiner .com – 02-15-09
San Jose Mercury News
San Francisco Chronicle
Salt Lake Tribune
McClatchy – Washington Bureau
Salt Lake Tribune – by Glen Warchol
San Francisco Chronicle
San Diego Union-Tribune 02-13-09
San Diego Union-Tribune 02-17-09
San Diego City Beat
Intolerant Faith
Best Gay Bloggers
Metropolitan News Enterprise
PPCTech
Gay and Lesbian Times
Justin McLachlan
Latter Gay Saints
Mike Tidemus
Queers United
Metropolitan News-Enterprises
Dallas Voice
The Campaign Silo
The Observer - Tucson
NG Blog
Mike Tidmus - Mormon Money
Maybe It’s Not Just Me
Gay City News
Queerty
AKA William
California Ripple Effect
Pink News UK
Mike Tidmus
Digital Journal
The Bilerico Project
Instant Pride
On Top Magazine
RSS Politic
Calitics
Mike Tidmus 01-16-09
Metropolitan News Enterprise 02-18-09
Towleroad
Gay Agenda --
Queers United
The BG News
David Mixner.com
YubaNet.com
Wimins Watch
Gay Blogger
Seattle Gay Scene
Windy City Times
Planet Transgender
Towleroad
Gay Agenda
Rex Wockner
Living in Mobile
Citizens for Progressive Change
RSS Daily
Gay and Lesbian Times
Out Write Girl
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
President Clinton Supports Repeal of Proposition 8
SAN DIEGO, CA – In a letter addressed to UNITE HERE Local 30 President Brigette Browning, President Clinton’s Chief of Staff, Laura A. Graham said, “He [Clinton] still opposes it [Prop 8] and hopes that it can be reversed.
The news was first reported on the highly regarded LGBT Blog Towleroad late Monday. The letter stated, “that he not only was a big opponent of California’s Proposition 8, but now supports its reversal."
The letter dated February 13, 2009, closes with a second and even stronger endorsement, “As I said, he will continue his opposition to Proposition 8 and support its repeal.”
The news was first reported on the highly regarded LGBT Blog Towleroad late Monday. The letter stated, “that he not only was a big opponent of California’s Proposition 8, but now supports its reversal."
The letter dated February 13, 2009, closes with a second and even stronger endorsement, “As I said, he will continue his opposition to Proposition 8 and support its repeal.”
“This has got to be unprecedented,” said Fred Karger, Founder of Californians Against Hate. “A former President of the United States asking a state Supreme Court or the voters to reverse a ballot proposition. What an ally! Thank you President Clinton."
The California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Prop 8 in a little over two weeks on March 5th in San Francisco. The Court will then issue its decision within 90 days.
“We were very disappointed that President Clinton crossed the picket line on Sunday in San Diego and spoke to the International Franchisee Association, but we are sure happy now,” added Karger.
Californians Against Hate and UNITE HERE launched the boycott of Doug Manchester’s San Diego hotels on July 18, 2008 after he gave $125,000 in early money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Manchester owns the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel where Clinton spoke. To read about the boycott go to: http://www.boycottmanchesterhotels.com/
Labor and LGBT leaders took out a banner ad last Thursday in the New York Daily News that included an open letter to President Clinton asking him to move his speech to a different hotel and not to cross the picket line at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.
In her letter, Ms Graham went on to say, “We made several attempts to change the venue. Unfortunately, the hosting organization [International Franchisee Association] responded that they were unable to do so, and President Clinton believes he should honor his contractual obligation.”
To view President Clinton’s letter in its entirety, click on the Towleroad link: http://www.towleroad.com/2009/02/clinton-regrets.html then scroll down to the end of the story to see the letter.
“It’s like Christmas in February,” concluded Karger. “We are so glad that President Clinton supports Prop 8’s repeal. It’s incredible news.”
- - end --
Monday, February 16, 2009
NEWS RELEASE February 16, 2009 Contact: Fred Karger 619-592-2008
The Salt Lake City Report
Here is what Fred Karger, Founder of Californians Against Hate announced at his News Conference on Wednesday, February 11th.
Take a look at the graph below. It breaks down the spending report by week that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) turned in to the California Secretary of State on January 30, 2009. According to their campaign report, nearly all of their spending occurred during the last week of the Proposition 8 campaign.
The First Presidency of the Mormon Church, Thomas Monson announced their active participation back on June 29, 2008, and that’s when the Mormon Prop 8 Campaign went into full swing. They raised upwards of $30 million from their members, ran all the Yes on 8 advertising, and set up the biggest door-to-door statewide voter outreach effort that California may have ever seen. They also ran phone banks in California and several other states, created an elaborate web site www.preservingmarriage.org with 13 very slick commercials and videos, bussed in thousands of people from Utah and sent out lots of direct mail.
The Church finally reported spending $190,000 in non-monetary contributions when it filed its very
late financial disclosure report on January 30, 2009 – 3 months after the election date of November 4, 2008. We know that all of their activity did not take place just during the last 7 days of the campaign. There appear to be lots of financial information missing on the report that the Mormon Church belatedly filed.
Where is the money that they spent during the summer and early fall? They only reported spending $1,100 in September? Much of even what they reported is still very late. And a Church spokesperson even told the Salt Lake Tribune just last week that the $96,000 in staff salaries they reported for November 4, 2008 really covers Church employees salaries going all the way back to August 2008. It sure is not reported that way.
Take a look at the graph and judge for yourself. It appears to us that there is a cover-up, and that the Mormon Church has not told the whole story of their massive financial involvement on behalf of Californian’s Prop 8. That is why we are calling this Mormongate.
The point of campaign finance reporting laws is so the voters have all the information on who gave how much and when to an election before we vote. The Mormon Church clearly tried to hide their financial participation until well after the votes were cast.
We Need Your Help
If you have any information on Mormon Church spending anywhere in the country that occurred during the summer and fall leading up to the November 4th election, please let us know.
We have set up a toll-free TIP LINE and email address for people to contact us with any tips on what campaign activities the Mormon Church conducted that might not have been included in their report to the California Secretary of State.
If you know of phone banks set up at Mormon Churches, mailers sent out, meetings held or any other information re the Church’s spending on Prop 8 please let us know. The telephone number and email address are below. Any information that you want to pass along will be kept strictly confidential and will be used to file a second complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The FPPC is in the middle of an active investigation of the Mormon Church right now. Californians against Hate filed its first complaint on November 13, 2008 which led to their investigation.
Ken Garff Automotive Group Boycott
Last Wednesday, we launched a boycott of Ken Garff Automotive Group because or Mrs. Garff’s $100,000 contribution to the Yes on 8 campaign one week before the election. At the Salt Lake press conference the request was made for Fred Karger to meet with Ken Garff Automobile Group President John Garff to try and mediate the situation. After a two-hour meeting both sides agreed to work on a proposed agreement which would potentially end the boycott. That is in the works and when there are any developments, we will let you know.
President Clinton and the Manchester Hotels Boycott in San Diego
When President Clinton went to speak to the International Franchisee Association Convention yesterday in San Diego, he was greeted by hundreds of protesters. He crossed the picket line at the Manchester Grand Hyatt which has been under a national boycott since July 18, 2008 when Californians Against Hate and UNITE HERE Local 30 led the effort against hotel owner Doug Manchester. Manchester gave $125,000 in early seed money to qualify California’s Proposition 8 for the ballot.
We along with 7 other Labor and LGBT leaders took out an ad in the New York Daily News online last week with an open letter to President Clinton asking him to move his speech to another location. When this request was not honored, we took to the streets.
A huge thank-you goes out to all who helped organize this highly successful effort. Everyone at UNITE HERE Local 30; President Bridgett Browning, Political Director Dan Rottenstreich, Rick Jacobs and everyone at the Courage Campaign who did so much and got tens of thousands of petitions signed; San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria; Cleve Jones, Founder, NAMES Project/AIDS Memorial Quilt; Nicole Murray-Ramirez, board member, National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce; Ron deHarte, executive director, San Diego Pride; and Lorena Gonazalez, secretary-treasurer, San Diego Labor Council. Click on the TV station name below to view some the wonderful coverage from the protest: KFMB TV San Diego NBC San Diego 6
And Mike Tidmus has a great story and photos on his blog: http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/02/15/showdown-at-the-manchester-hyatt/
Brother or Sister Can You Spare a Dime?
We hate to ask for financial help, but we could use some. If you like what we're doing, please send what you can. Simply go to our home page at Californians Against Hate – click here Then in the upper right hand corner where it says Donate (in red), click on it and send what you can. We have lots of ambitious plans to continue to shake things up. Please back us. We are an all volunteer effort, but do incur some pretty hefty expenses. And with your generous help, we can take on more. Thanks!
Be Sure and Visit Our Blog
For the latest and greatest news and information from Californians Against Hate check our our Blog: http://californiansagainsthate.blogspot.com/
When President Clinton went to speak to the International Franchisee Association Convention yesterday in San Diego, he was greeted by hundreds of protesters. He crossed the picket line at the Manchester Grand Hyatt which has been under a national boycott since July 18, 2008 when Californians Against Hate and UNITE HERE Local 30 led the effort against hotel owner Doug Manchester. Manchester gave $125,000 in early seed money to qualify California’s Proposition 8 for the ballot.
We along with 7 other Labor and LGBT leaders took out an ad in the New York Daily News online last week with an open letter to President Clinton asking him to move his speech to another location. When this request was not honored, we took to the streets.
A huge thank-you goes out to all who helped organize this highly successful effort. Everyone at UNITE HERE Local 30; President Bridgett Browning, Political Director Dan Rottenstreich, Rick Jacobs and everyone at the Courage Campaign who did so much and got tens of thousands of petitions signed; San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria; Cleve Jones, Founder, NAMES Project/AIDS Memorial Quilt; Nicole Murray-Ramirez, board member, National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce; Ron deHarte, executive director, San Diego Pride; and Lorena Gonazalez, secretary-treasurer, San Diego Labor Council. Click on the TV station name below to view some the wonderful coverage from the protest: KFMB TV San Diego NBC San Diego 6
And Mike Tidmus has a great story and photos on his blog: http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/02/15/showdown-at-the-manchester-hyatt/
Brother or Sister Can You Spare a Dime?
We hate to ask for financial help, but we could use some. If you like what we're doing, please send what you can. Simply go to our home page at Californians Against Hate – click here Then in the upper right hand corner where it says Donate (in red), click on it and send what you can. We have lots of ambitious plans to continue to shake things up. Please back us. We are an all volunteer effort, but do incur some pretty hefty expenses. And with your generous help, we can take on more. Thanks!
Be Sure and Visit Our Blog
For the latest and greatest news and information from Californians Against Hate check our our Blog: http://californiansagainsthate.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Help Fine the Missing Mormon Money / Boycott Ken Garff Automotive
Public's Help Sought in Uncovering Mormon Church Prop 8 Money
Ken Garff Automotive Boycott to be Announced
Wednesday News Conference Set
SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- Fred Karger, founder of Californians Against Hate will hold a news conference to ask the for the public's help in determining if there was significantly more money spent by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in its monumental effort to pass California’s Proposition 8 that has not been reported.
The News Conference will be held at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at the Marriott Salt Lake Downtown Hotel – Deer Valley 2 Room, 75 South West Temple, Salt Lake City 84101 (801)531-0800
We feel that this huge contribution to take away marriage rights in California by the Garff family warrants a full boycott. The contribution was given very late -- on October 29, 2008 -- and was disclosed in the recently released campaign report.
Californians Against Hate has called for three previous boycotts of major funders to Yes on Prop 8. The first was back on July 18, 2008 against the hotels owned by Doug Manchester (Manchester Grand Hyatt and the Grand del Mar Hotels) both in San Diego, CA) who gave $125,000 to Yes on 8. The next boycott was called against Bolthouse Farms of Bakersfield, CA whose founder gave $100,000 to Prop 8, but was settled 3 weeks later. And the most recent boycott began on November 19, 2008 against A-1 Self Storage , whose owner Terry Caster and his family gave $693,000 to Yes on 8.
Ken Garff Automotive Boycott to be Announced
Wednesday News Conference Set
SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- Fred Karger, founder of Californians Against Hate will hold a news conference to ask the for the public's help in determining if there was significantly more money spent by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in its monumental effort to pass California’s Proposition 8 that has not been reported.
The News Conference will be held at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at the Marriott Salt Lake Downtown Hotel – Deer Valley 2 Room, 75 South West Temple, Salt Lake City 84101 (801)531-0800
Karger filed a sworn complaint against the Mormon Church on November 13, 2008 with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) contending that the Church had not filed the necessary campaign reports for all the money it spent on the successful Proposition 8. Up until Election Day November 4th, the Mormon Church had reported only spending $2078.00 on all of its involvement on Prop 8. Eight days later the FPPC announced that it would conduct a full investigation into those charges.
Don Eaton, a Mormon Church spokesman, told KGO Television (ABC - San Francisco) in November, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put zero money in this [the passage of Prop. 8].”
Another Church spokesman, Scott Trotter, said in November that the allegations are "false,” and the complaint has "many errors and misstatements." They said that the Church worked closely with its California political attorneys to comply with the law, and that it did not need to file anything further.
On January 20, 2009, the Mormon Church filed a Major Donor Report with the California Secretary of State's Office admitting that it spent nearly $190,000 on behalf of Prop 8. All of that spending came in the last month of the election with half of it on Election Day itself.
Karger is traveling over from California to seek the public's help in the investigation. A web site, email and phone line will be announced at the News Conference for people who have information on the Mormon Church's involvement over the summer months and into the fall. Those with information will be asked to call or email anonymous tips into his office. A special TIPS line will be set up for this purpose. Any information gathered will be passed along to California authorities.
Californians Against Hate will also announce a national boycott of all 40 of Ken Garff's Automotive Group owned car dealerships in 4 states. Katharine Garff, the wife CEO and Board Chairman Robert Garff contributed $100,000 to the Yes on 8 campaign.
www.BoycottKenGarffAutomotive.comAnother Church spokesman, Scott Trotter, said in November that the allegations are "false,” and the complaint has "many errors and misstatements." They said that the Church worked closely with its California political attorneys to comply with the law, and that it did not need to file anything further.
On January 20, 2009, the Mormon Church filed a Major Donor Report with the California Secretary of State's Office admitting that it spent nearly $190,000 on behalf of Prop 8. All of that spending came in the last month of the election with half of it on Election Day itself.
Karger is traveling over from California to seek the public's help in the investigation. A web site, email and phone line will be announced at the News Conference for people who have information on the Mormon Church's involvement over the summer months and into the fall. Those with information will be asked to call or email anonymous tips into his office. A special TIPS line will be set up for this purpose. Any information gathered will be passed along to California authorities.
Californians Against Hate will also announce a national boycott of all 40 of Ken Garff's Automotive Group owned car dealerships in 4 states. Katharine Garff, the wife CEO and Board Chairman Robert Garff contributed $100,000 to the Yes on 8 campaign.
We feel that this huge contribution to take away marriage rights in California by the Garff family warrants a full boycott. The contribution was given very late -- on October 29, 2008 -- and was disclosed in the recently released campaign report.
Californians Against Hate has called for three previous boycotts of major funders to Yes on Prop 8. The first was back on July 18, 2008 against the hotels owned by Doug Manchester (Manchester Grand Hyatt and the Grand del Mar Hotels) both in San Diego, CA) who gave $125,000 to Yes on 8. The next boycott was called against Bolthouse Farms of Bakersfield, CA whose founder gave $100,000 to Prop 8, but was settled 3 weeks later. And the most recent boycott began on November 19, 2008 against A-1 Self Storage , whose owner Terry Caster and his family gave $693,000 to Yes on 8.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Californians Against Hate In the News!
News Coverage #20
Fox News -- http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485967,00.html
KGO TV (ABC) San Francisco -- http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/state&id=6631777
KPIX TV (CBS) San Francisco -- http://cbs5.com/localwire/22.0.html?type=bcn&item=PROP-8-DONORS-baglm
KTVN – TV CBS Reno -- http://www.ktvn.com/Global/story.asp?S=9765546&nav=menu549_2
ABC 4 News – Salt Lake City -- http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story/How-much-did-LDS-Church-contribute-to-Prop-8/5JTRDczszEizFVxj0HW95A.cspx
Sacramento Bee -- http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1589451.html
Associated Press -- http://www.pe.com/ap_news/California/CA_Gay_Marriage_Fundraising_382493C.shtml
Wall Street Journal -- http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/mormon-church-donated-180000-prop/story.aspx?guid=%7B46E38C36-D989-4689-9ED4-D8914D963C28%7D&dist=msr_2
Fox News -- http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485524,00.html
San Francisco Chronicle –
Los Angeles Times -- http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/01/top-officials-w.html
Salt Lake Tribune -- http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11599342
Deseret News -- http://www.mormontimes.com/people_news/church_news/?id=6112
Bay Windows Radio, Boston
San Jose Mercury News -- http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_11583132
Orange County Register -- http://totalbuzz.freedomblogging.com/2009/01/29/request-to-suppress-prop-8-donors-names-denied/12800
Seattle Times -- http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008696951_newsline02.html
Metropolitan News-Enterprise -- http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/hotel011409.htm
OC Register -- http://totalbuzz.freedomblogging.com/2009/01/14/where-did-rick-warrens-three-dollar-bill-go/11600/
O C Weekly -- http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/a-clockwork-orange/howard-ahmanson-jr-only-the-se
Bay Area News -- http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3638
Gay & Lesbian Times -- http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=13980
Mike Tidmus -- http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/01/13/milk-labor-and-love
Manchester.com -- http://manchester.com.es/californians-against-hate-founder-on-boycotts-of-prop-8-contributors-businesses
Good Sense Politics -- http://goodsensepolitics.blogspot.com/2008/12/meet-new-mccarthy-for-gay-agenda.html
LA List -- http://laist.com/2009/01/14/oc_pastor_warren_________as_a_3-dol.php
Queerty -- http://www.queerty.com/rick-warren-is-as-queer-as-a-3-bill-20090114/
California Ripple Effect -- http://ca-ripple-effect.blogspot.com/2009/01/californians-against-hate-reveals.html
Examiner.com -- http://www.queerty.com/rick-warren-is-as-queer-as-a-3-bill-20090114/
Socialites -- http://gaysocialites.com/2009/01/shot_of_the_day_our.html
Gay Link News -- http://www.gaylinknews.com/prdetail.cfm?id=14198
Veto Corleone -- http://www.vetocorleone.com/2009/01/rick-warren-3-bill.html
*MAS -- http://masteradriannl2.multiply.com/journal/item/7509/Did_the_Mormons_go_too_far
Real News Network -- http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=3104&updaterx=2009-01-16+01%3A06%3A42
DavidMixner.com -- http://www.davidmixner.com/
California Ripple Effect -- http://ca-ripple-effect.blogspot.com/2009/01/californians-against-hate-reveals.html
Metropolitan News -- http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/hotel2011609.htm
I’m Just Saying -- http://stormthecastle.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-evidence-against-mormon-church-and.html
Towleroad -- http://www.towleroad.com/2009/01/video-mormon-fi.html
Ravenhurst -- http://ravenhurst-ravenhurst.blogspot.com/2009/01/fred-karger-of-californians-against.html
AFRIK.com (Paris, France) -- http://en.afrik.com/article15182.html
Unite the Fight -- http://unitethefight.blogspot.com/2009/01/ca-democrats-fighting-for-our-rights.html
Fox News -- http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485967,00.html
KGO TV (ABC) San Francisco -- http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/state&id=6631777
KPIX TV (CBS) San Francisco -- http://cbs5.com/localwire/22.0.html?type=bcn&item=PROP-8-DONORS-baglm
KTVN – TV CBS Reno -- http://www.ktvn.com/Global/story.asp?S=9765546&nav=menu549_2
ABC 4 News – Salt Lake City -- http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story/How-much-did-LDS-Church-contribute-to-Prop-8/5JTRDczszEizFVxj0HW95A.cspx
Sacramento Bee -- http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1589451.html
Associated Press -- http://www.pe.com/ap_news/California/CA_Gay_Marriage_Fundraising_382493C.shtml
Wall Street Journal -- http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/mormon-church-donated-180000-prop/story.aspx?guid=%7B46E38C36-D989-4689-9ED4-D8914D963C28%7D&dist=msr_2
Fox News -- http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485524,00.html
San Francisco Chronicle –
Los Angeles Times -- http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/01/top-officials-w.html
Salt Lake Tribune -- http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11599342
Deseret News -- http://www.mormontimes.com/people_news/church_news/?id=6112
Bay Windows Radio, Boston
San Jose Mercury News -- http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_11583132
Orange County Register -- http://totalbuzz.freedomblogging.com/2009/01/29/request-to-suppress-prop-8-donors-names-denied/12800
Seattle Times -- http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008696951_newsline02.html
Metropolitan News-Enterprise -- http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/hotel011409.htm
OC Register -- http://totalbuzz.freedomblogging.com/2009/01/14/where-did-rick-warrens-three-dollar-bill-go/11600/
O C Weekly -- http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/a-clockwork-orange/howard-ahmanson-jr-only-the-se
Bay Area News -- http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3638
Gay & Lesbian Times -- http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=13980
Mike Tidmus -- http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/01/13/milk-labor-and-love
Manchester.com -- http://manchester.com.es/californians-against-hate-founder-on-boycotts-of-prop-8-contributors-businesses
Good Sense Politics -- http://goodsensepolitics.blogspot.com/2008/12/meet-new-mccarthy-for-gay-agenda.html
LA List -- http://laist.com/2009/01/14/oc_pastor_warren_________as_a_3-dol.php
Queerty -- http://www.queerty.com/rick-warren-is-as-queer-as-a-3-bill-20090114/
California Ripple Effect -- http://ca-ripple-effect.blogspot.com/2009/01/californians-against-hate-reveals.html
Examiner.com -- http://www.queerty.com/rick-warren-is-as-queer-as-a-3-bill-20090114/
Socialites -- http://gaysocialites.com/2009/01/shot_of_the_day_our.html
Gay Link News -- http://www.gaylinknews.com/prdetail.cfm?id=14198
Veto Corleone -- http://www.vetocorleone.com/2009/01/rick-warren-3-bill.html
*MAS -- http://masteradriannl2.multiply.com/journal/item/7509/Did_the_Mormons_go_too_far
Real News Network -- http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=3104&updaterx=2009-01-16+01%3A06%3A42
DavidMixner.com -- http://www.davidmixner.com/
California Ripple Effect -- http://ca-ripple-effect.blogspot.com/2009/01/californians-against-hate-reveals.html
Metropolitan News -- http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/hotel2011609.htm
I’m Just Saying -- http://stormthecastle.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-evidence-against-mormon-church-and.html
Towleroad -- http://www.towleroad.com/2009/01/video-mormon-fi.html
Ravenhurst -- http://ravenhurst-ravenhurst.blogspot.com/2009/01/fred-karger-of-californians-against.html
AFRIK.com (Paris, France) -- http://en.afrik.com/article15182.html
Unite the Fight -- http://unitethefight.blogspot.com/2009/01/ca-democrats-fighting-for-our-rights.html
Met News -- http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/hote012009.htm
Legal Commentary Prop 8 -- http://prop8legalcommentary.blogspot.com/2009/01/california-state-bar-meeting-plan-wont.html
Metropolitan News -- http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/hote012709.htm
Beyond Chron -- http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/State_Bar_to_Cross_Picket_Line_at_Manchester_Hyatt_6537.html
Legal Commentary Prop 8 -- http://prop8legalcommentary.blogspot.com/2009/01/california-state-bar-meeting-plan-wont.html
Metropolitan News -- http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/hote012709.htm
Beyond Chron -- http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/State_Bar_to_Cross_Picket_Line_at_Manchester_Hyatt_6537.html
Kevin Hunter -- http://kevinhuntersblog.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/mormon-church-under-investigation-by-california-fair-political-practices-commission-for-not-reporting-monetary-contributions-to-yes-on-8-campaign/
Christian News Wire -- http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/749559319.html
Mike Tidmus -- http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/01/30/smoking-gun-anyone
Towelroad -- http://www.towleroad.com/2009/01/court-yes-on-8.html
Bay Area Reporter -- http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3687
Times on the Internet -- http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/42584.html
Calitics -- http://calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7952
Mike Tidmus -- http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/01/08/fred-karger-on-the-proph8-crybabies
Pensito Review -- http://www.pensitoreview.com/2009/01/31/lds-reveals-190k-in-prop-8-expenditures
Incoherent Musings -- http://danolgb.livejournal.com/64462.html
Queers United -- http://queersunited.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-revelations-for-mormon-church-tax.html
On Top Magazine -- http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=3163&MediaType=1&Category=26
Box Turtle Bulletin -- http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/01/31/8492
Edge Provincetown -- http://www.edgeptown.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=86647
Live Journal -- http://community.livejournal.com/ontd_political/2187227.html
Avoiding the Muse -- http://avoidmuse.blogspot.com/2009/02/mormongate-continues.html
Bay Area Reporter -- http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3687
U S Political Scene -- http://www.uspoliticalscene.com/?p=204
Gay Agenda -- http://www.gayagenda.com/2009/02/shall-not-bear-false-witness-unless-a-mormon
Kevin’s Space -- http://kkaatz.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!987521E6E0B9EAFF!6289.entry
Buzz Flash -- http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/analysis/604
Pam’s House Blend -- http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=9313
Ripple Effect -- http://ca-ripple-effect.blogspot.com/2009/02/lds-church-reports-prop-8-contributions.html
365 Gay News -- http://www.365gay.com/news/mormon-church-admits-it-spent-100-times-more-for-prop-8-than-reported
Back to Stonewall -- http://www.back2stonewall.com/?p=544
On Top -- http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=3179&MediaType=1&Category=26
DesertGaySpeak -- http://desertspeak.blogspot.com/2009/02/mormons-caught-underreporting-prop-8.html
Tucson Observer -- http://tucsonobserver.blogspot.com/2009/02/mormon-church-admits-it-spent-100-times.html
Queerty -- http://www.queerty.com/how-the-mormon-church-bought-prop-8-20090202
Christian News Wire -- http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/749559319.html
Mike Tidmus -- http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/01/30/smoking-gun-anyone
Towelroad -- http://www.towleroad.com/2009/01/court-yes-on-8.html
Bay Area Reporter -- http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3687
Times on the Internet -- http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/42584.html
Calitics -- http://calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7952
Mike Tidmus -- http://www.miketidmus.com/blog/2009/01/08/fred-karger-on-the-proph8-crybabies
Pensito Review -- http://www.pensitoreview.com/2009/01/31/lds-reveals-190k-in-prop-8-expenditures
Incoherent Musings -- http://danolgb.livejournal.com/64462.html
Queers United -- http://queersunited.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-revelations-for-mormon-church-tax.html
On Top Magazine -- http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=3163&MediaType=1&Category=26
Box Turtle Bulletin -- http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/01/31/8492
Edge Provincetown -- http://www.edgeptown.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=86647
Live Journal -- http://community.livejournal.com/ontd_political/2187227.html
Avoiding the Muse -- http://avoidmuse.blogspot.com/2009/02/mormongate-continues.html
Bay Area Reporter -- http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3687
U S Political Scene -- http://www.uspoliticalscene.com/?p=204
Gay Agenda -- http://www.gayagenda.com/2009/02/shall-not-bear-false-witness-unless-a-mormon
Kevin’s Space -- http://kkaatz.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!987521E6E0B9EAFF!6289.entry
Buzz Flash -- http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/analysis/604
Pam’s House Blend -- http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=9313
Ripple Effect -- http://ca-ripple-effect.blogspot.com/2009/02/lds-church-reports-prop-8-contributions.html
365 Gay News -- http://www.365gay.com/news/mormon-church-admits-it-spent-100-times-more-for-prop-8-than-reported
Back to Stonewall -- http://www.back2stonewall.com/?p=544
On Top -- http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=3179&MediaType=1&Category=26
DesertGaySpeak -- http://desertspeak.blogspot.com/2009/02/mormons-caught-underreporting-prop-8.html
Tucson Observer -- http://tucsonobserver.blogspot.com/2009/02/mormon-church-admits-it-spent-100-times.html
Queerty -- http://www.queerty.com/how-the-mormon-church-bought-prop-8-20090202
Monday, February 2, 2009
Mormon Cover-up of Prop 8 Funding
Late last Friday, January 30th the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints filled a Major Donor Report with the California Secretary of State listing $189,903.58 in non-momentary expenditures on behalf of Protectmarriage.com -- Yes on Prop 8. The Mormon Church finally admitted directly spending a huge sum of money as part of its monumental effort to end same-sex marriage in California http://calaccess.ss.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1311334&session=2007&view=contributions
The Church waited until 5:00 pm on Friday, one business day ahead of the required filing date of February 2nd to turn in its first report detailing at least some of its involvement in the Prop 8 campaign. This was clearly timed by the Mormon Church and its attorneys to try and stay out of the media’s eye. This is an age old political trick, dumping bad news late Friday afternoon, but one that has not gone undetected.
The Mormon Church has repeatedly lied about its involvement in California’s Prop 8. Don Eaton, a Mormon Church spokesman, told KGO Television (ABC) in November, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put zero money in this [the passage of Prop. 8].”
Up until Election Day, November 4th, the Mormon Church had only filed one non-monetary contribution, and that was reported just 4 days before the election for a mere $2,078.97. This prompted Fred Karger, Founder of Californians Against Hate www.CaliforniansAgainstHate.com to file a sworn complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). Karger hoped that an investigation by the FPPC would determine exactly how much money was really spent by the Salt Lake City based Church on behalf of the Yes on 8 campaign: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705262980,00.html
Right after the complaint was filed on November 13, 2008 Church spokesman Scott Trotter said the allegations are "false" and the complaint -- filed by Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate -- has "many errors and misstatements."
They said that the Church worked closely with its California political attorneys to comply with the law, and that it did not need to file anything further.
Eight days later when the FPPC announced it was launching an investigation into the Church’s expenditures, a Mormon spokesman said that they would send all necessary information to the FPPC for its investigation. Then days later, it switched its position once again, and said that it had complied by all election laws and it did not need to report any money spent, only its members did.
Then on December 1st ProtectMarriage.com – the official Yes on 8 committee –
filed an amended campaign report showing $19,715.08 in legal expenditures made by the Mormon Church way back on June 23rd – 5 months late! This was reported 10 days after the FPPC had announced its investigation.
No other expenditures were reported until last Friday when the Mormon Church filed a Major Donor Report with the Secretary of State for an additional $170,072.18. Most of this was spent during October with 3 small expenditures from September. This included lots of travel expenses with 26 tickets purchased on Southwest Airlines alone. They reported $96,849.31spent on one day (November 4th) in “compensated staff time” that appears was just for Election Day activities.
In its latest campaign report filed over this past weekend for the period October 19th to December 31st, ProtectMarriage.com reported 4 non-monetary contributions from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah. The first was dated October 25th for the formerly reported travel expenses of $2078.97, then two on November 1st -- one for more travel expenses $2864.21, and $19,715.08 for legal expenses and a final entry for November 3rd for staff salaries of $30,354.83. This totals $55,031.11 and it’s odd that ProtectMarriage.com coincidentally reported all the Church’s contributions after the October 19th cutoff to try and avoid any fines or FPPC penalties for itself. However, the amounts and dates are not the same as those reported by the Mormon Church.
Last June, in his now famous letter read to every Mormon Church, President Monson announced plans for the Church to become extremely active in the Prop 8 campaign Their fundraising took off soon after that. Mormon families were contributing over $300,000 per day by late July and over $500,000 per day by early August. This money kept pouring in though Election Day bringing the total Mormon money to Prop 8 to nearly $25 million: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122186063716658279.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Gary Lawrence, the Mormon Church’s “Grass Roots Coordinator,” started his activities well before he sent out his August 7, 2008 memo posted on his web site: http://yesonprop8.blogspot.com/2008/08/gary-lawrence-grass-roots-coordinator.html It detailed the grassroots Mormon Campaign Plan.
Show us the money!
Where are the rest of your non-monetary expenditures Mormon Church? What about the phone banks, precinct walks, all the slick videos and commercials, direct mail, busses, legal bills from your California political law firm, etc.? They could not all have occurred until late September and October. It is clear that you began your work in June.
And why didn’t ProtectMarraige.com report any earlier non-monetary contributions from the Mormon Church? Their report does not match up with yours.
The California Political Reform Act was passed by the voters 35 years ago and has been very effective in keeping our campaigns honest and fair. It certainly appears to us that the Mormon Church did everything possible to avoid complying with our election law, and only now, after an active investigation is underway by the FPPC (Case # 080735), did it decide to finally report some of its expenditures.
California’s election law is designed to let the voters know exactly where the money is coming from to fund our initiative and candidate campaigns. If the voters of California were aware of the massive expenditures by the Mormon Church prior to voting on November 4th, the results of the close Prop 8 election might have been very different.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Mormon Church Files Late Campaign Report on Prop 8
11th Hour Filing Shows Church Spent Additional $190,000 Raises Lots of Questions
In a surprising development late Friday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints finally reported some of its non monetary contributions it spent to pass Proposition 8. Prop 8 appeared on the November 4th ballot, and ended same-sex marriage in California.
The Mormon Church has been under investigation by California’s Fair Political Practices Commission for alleged lack of reporting of non monetary contributions (FPPC Case # 080735) for the past 2 ½ months. Secretary of State Web Site Momon Filing -- http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1311334&session=2007&view=contributions
Here are two great stories on this new twist from yesterday.
The first is by John Wildermuth of the San Francisco Chronicle and the second by Jessica Garrison of the Los Angeles Times. The campaign filing raises more questions that it appears to answer. It will be very interesting to see how the Mormon Church deals with the many lingering questions about its extensive financial involvement on Prop 8.
San Francisco Chronicle -- http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/31/BA7615KLB9.DTL&hw=mormons&sn=001&sc=1000
Mormon church reports $190,000 Prop. 8 expensesMormon church officials, facing an ongoing investigation by the state Fair Political Practices Commission, Friday reported nearly $190,000 in previously unlisted assistance to the successful campaign for Prop. 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California.
The report, filed with the secretary of state's office, listed a variety of California travel expenses for high-ranking members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and included $20,575 for use of facilities and equipment at the church's Salt Lake City headquarters and a $96,849 charge for "compensated staff time" for church employees who worked on matters pertaining to Prop. 8.
"This is exactly what we were talking about when we filed the suit," said Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate, which opposed the same-sex marriage ban. "They spent money on the campaign and were supposed to report it."Church officials were not available for comment Friday night.
Karger filed his complaint with the FPPC on Nov. 13, alleging that the Mormon church had produced commercials, set up Web sites, conducted simulcasts and sent church leaders to California to support Prop. 8 without filing any of the required reports.Up until Friday, the Mormon church had denied any direct financial support for the campaign beyond a reported $2,078 spent for bringing church Elder L. Whitney Clayton to California.
Church officials complained that Karger's complaint was full of errors and that the church had "fully complied" with California law.
The report filed Friday contained few details about how the money was spent. It did list $26,000 for audio-visual production and travel expenses for a number of Mormon leaders other than Clayton.It also reported a number of expenses in the Bay Area, including $122 for a meal at Nonna Rose Restaurant in San Francisco, and $133 spent at the 3-Zero Cafe in Half Moon BayWhile the deadline for the report, which covers the period from July 1 to Dec. 31, is Monday, many campaign contributions by major donors and independent committees must be reported within days after they're made.
Roman Porter, the FPPC's executive director, declined to discuss the case directly, saying only that it remained under investigation. In general, however, "cases like these hinge over what had to be reported and when it had to be reported," he said. A late report covering disputed filings "wouldn't remove the obligation to file on time" but would be considered by investigators.
The proposed ban on same-sex marriage was called the second most-watched campaign in the nation last November, behind the presidential race. While Mormons gave millions of dollars to the "Yes on Prop. 8" campaign, church leaders insisted that the contributions came from individual church members, not the church itself, so the church was not required to file reports with California.
E-mail John Wildermuth at jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com.
This article appeared on page B - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Los Angles Times -- -- http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/01/top-officials-w.html
Mormon church reports spending $180,000 on Proposition 8Jessica Garrison 6:48 AM PST, January 31, 2009 Top officials with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints filed reports Friday indicating that they donated more than $180,000 in in-kind contributions to Proposition 8, the November ballot initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California.
The contributions included tens of thousands of dollars for expenses such as airline tickets, hotel and restaurant bills and car-rental bills for top church officials such as L. Whitney Clayton, along with $96,849.31 worth of "compensated staff time" for church employees.
The church said the expenditures took place between July 1 and the end of the year. The church's involvement has been a major issue in the campaign and its aftermath. Individual Mormon families donated millions -- by some estimates more than $20 million -- of their own money to the campaign.On top of that, some Prop. 8 opponents say church officials violated election law by failing to file campaign disclosure reports outlining church funds being spent on the campaign.
Fred Karger, who filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission after the election alleging that church officials had not properly disclosed their involvement, said he thought today's filing proves that his complaint has merit. "They said they reported all their travel ... now, when there is a [complaint filed] they disclose 25 Southwest tickets just in October," he said. "They were required to report this" in an earlier filing, he said.
Church officials could not be reached for comment this evening.
Jessica.Garrison@latimes.com-
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In a surprising development late Friday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints finally reported some of its non monetary contributions it spent to pass Proposition 8. Prop 8 appeared on the November 4th ballot, and ended same-sex marriage in California.
The Mormon Church has been under investigation by California’s Fair Political Practices Commission for alleged lack of reporting of non monetary contributions (FPPC Case # 080735) for the past 2 ½ months. Secretary of State Web Site Momon Filing -- http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1311334&session=2007&view=contributions
Here are two great stories on this new twist from yesterday.
The first is by John Wildermuth of the San Francisco Chronicle and the second by Jessica Garrison of the Los Angeles Times. The campaign filing raises more questions that it appears to answer. It will be very interesting to see how the Mormon Church deals with the many lingering questions about its extensive financial involvement on Prop 8.
San Francisco Chronicle -- http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/31/BA7615KLB9.DTL&hw=mormons&sn=001&sc=1000
Mormon church reports $190,000 Prop. 8 expensesMormon church officials, facing an ongoing investigation by the state Fair Political Practices Commission, Friday reported nearly $190,000 in previously unlisted assistance to the successful campaign for Prop. 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California.
The report, filed with the secretary of state's office, listed a variety of California travel expenses for high-ranking members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and included $20,575 for use of facilities and equipment at the church's Salt Lake City headquarters and a $96,849 charge for "compensated staff time" for church employees who worked on matters pertaining to Prop. 8.
"This is exactly what we were talking about when we filed the suit," said Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate, which opposed the same-sex marriage ban. "They spent money on the campaign and were supposed to report it."Church officials were not available for comment Friday night.
Karger filed his complaint with the FPPC on Nov. 13, alleging that the Mormon church had produced commercials, set up Web sites, conducted simulcasts and sent church leaders to California to support Prop. 8 without filing any of the required reports.Up until Friday, the Mormon church had denied any direct financial support for the campaign beyond a reported $2,078 spent for bringing church Elder L. Whitney Clayton to California.
Church officials complained that Karger's complaint was full of errors and that the church had "fully complied" with California law.
The report filed Friday contained few details about how the money was spent. It did list $26,000 for audio-visual production and travel expenses for a number of Mormon leaders other than Clayton.It also reported a number of expenses in the Bay Area, including $122 for a meal at Nonna Rose Restaurant in San Francisco, and $133 spent at the 3-Zero Cafe in Half Moon BayWhile the deadline for the report, which covers the period from July 1 to Dec. 31, is Monday, many campaign contributions by major donors and independent committees must be reported within days after they're made.
Roman Porter, the FPPC's executive director, declined to discuss the case directly, saying only that it remained under investigation. In general, however, "cases like these hinge over what had to be reported and when it had to be reported," he said. A late report covering disputed filings "wouldn't remove the obligation to file on time" but would be considered by investigators.
The proposed ban on same-sex marriage was called the second most-watched campaign in the nation last November, behind the presidential race. While Mormons gave millions of dollars to the "Yes on Prop. 8" campaign, church leaders insisted that the contributions came from individual church members, not the church itself, so the church was not required to file reports with California.
E-mail John Wildermuth at jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com.
This article appeared on page B - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Los Angles Times -- -- http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/01/top-officials-w.html
Mormon church reports spending $180,000 on Proposition 8Jessica Garrison 6:48 AM PST, January 31, 2009 Top officials with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints filed reports Friday indicating that they donated more than $180,000 in in-kind contributions to Proposition 8, the November ballot initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California.
The contributions included tens of thousands of dollars for expenses such as airline tickets, hotel and restaurant bills and car-rental bills for top church officials such as L. Whitney Clayton, along with $96,849.31 worth of "compensated staff time" for church employees.
The church said the expenditures took place between July 1 and the end of the year. The church's involvement has been a major issue in the campaign and its aftermath. Individual Mormon families donated millions -- by some estimates more than $20 million -- of their own money to the campaign.On top of that, some Prop. 8 opponents say church officials violated election law by failing to file campaign disclosure reports outlining church funds being spent on the campaign.
Fred Karger, who filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission after the election alleging that church officials had not properly disclosed their involvement, said he thought today's filing proves that his complaint has merit. "They said they reported all their travel ... now, when there is a [complaint filed] they disclose 25 Southwest tickets just in October," he said. "They were required to report this" in an earlier filing, he said.
Church officials could not be reached for comment this evening.
Jessica.Garrison@latimes.com-
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