Has lawyer Mark Grueskin found an ingenious way to drain resources from Republicans?
They think so, but he says no.
Grueskin has filed at least five campaign finance violations against Republican groups on behalf of individual citizens. Republicans say the suits are frivolous and that they’re forced to fight the allegations using campaign funds, while his work is funded by private citizens.
Grueskin withdrew one of the complaints because it wasn’t applicable to state law, but he says the others are legit. “I sleep well at night knowing that there are … reasons to file these complaints,” he said. “The complaint that I’m trying to dry up their campaign funds would sound more legitimate if we filed against groups that are subject to contribution limitations. But these are groups that take money hand-over-fist from a select number of donors.”
Grueskin knows these types of groups well. He helped set up some of the 527s, as they’re known, to aid Democrats last fall. Of course, because of that, he also spent part of this year defending claims filed by unsuccessful GOP candidates. It turns out that both sides have lawyers.
A by-product of campaign finance laws, 527s changed the complexion of last year’s election. And given the way they’re already being fought over in 2005, it’s clear they’ll play a major role in next year’s elections as well.
Two mommies better than one
The “two mommies” case that caused some major hyperventilating at the Colorado statehouse in 2004 was quietly settled for good last week.
The U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear the case, thereby ensuring that Elsey McLeod has an equal right to raise the child she adopted with her then-lesbian partner, Dr. Cheryl Clark.
The high court’s decision allows a Colorado appeals court ruling to stand. In July 2004, that court upheld Judge John Coughlin‘s order giving both mothers equal parenting rights. He ruled the child’s well-being should come first.
The appeals court found McLeod had become a “psychological parent” to the Chinese baby adopted by her former partner. After their split, Clark claimed she had the sole right to raise the child.
Going to the chapel
The state treasurer’s office looks nothing like the Little White Chapel, but it’s starting to churn out married couples like the famous Las Vegas spot. Mike Coffman married longtime fiancée Cynthia Honssinger a few days before he left the office to rejoin the U.S. Marines, and on July 16 interim state Treasurer Mark Hillman will wed girlfriend Heidi Horvath.
Feeley flees
Is there another powerhouse law firm in the making?
Former state senator and Democratic congressional wannabe Mike Feeley left his law firm last week to join Mark Grueskin at Isaacson Rosenbaum P.C.
As Brownstein Hyatt & Farber, which has strong ties to both political parties, raises its national profile, Feeley’s new firm could become a bigger player on the local scene. He starts Aug. 1.
Following the money
Former University of Denver president Marc Holtzman is raising lots of dough for his gubernatorial bid, but will he have to give some of it back?
Ross Kaminsky of Boulder has filed a complaint with the secretary of state alleging Holtzman has violated campaign finance laws by not disclosing the occupations of more than 100 of his donors. By state law, Holtzman has to disclose that information for those who give more than $100.
The allegations will go before an administrative judge, and Holtzman may have to return the money. Of course, we can always ask for it back, along with a description of the donor’s occupation.
Meeting of the minds
A hundred of the world’s greatest minds converge in Colorado today for the Aspen Ideas Festival, a collaboration of the Aspen Institute and The Atlantic Monthly magazine.
The first-time event is designed as a “public exploration of the most compelling and thought-provoking ideas of our time.” Headliners include primatologist Jane Goodall; Harvard University president Lawrence Summers; former Secretary of State Colin Powell; Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life,”
Our own Gov. Bill Owens will be there, but Dick Armey’s not on the guest list.
Dan Haley (dhaley@denverpost.com) is a member of The Post’s editorial board.
