The group/$$$ behind the Kavanaugh ads.

[BigmanPigman]

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-dark-money-727706/

The Judicial Crisis Network has fast become one of the most aggressive dark-money groups on the political landscape when it comes to the courts. The group has already spent more than $4 million to support Kavanaugh’s confirmation, with much of that spending happening in states like Indiana and Missouri, where vulnerable Democratic senators are on the ballot. In earlier Supreme Court battles, the group said it spent $7 million to block the confirmation of Merrick Garland, President Obama’s pick to replace Scalia in 2016, and another $10 million to back the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch, President Trump’s first SCOTUS pick.

The JCN’s big-money donors are a mystery. As a so-called social welfare group, it doesn’t have to disclose its funders. That means that individuals or companies that could one day appear before the Supreme Court may also be bankrolling the campaign to confirm the court’s next justice.

What we do know is that the JCN is the beneficiary of massive anonymous donations by deep-pocketed conservative groups and individuals. Tax records show that in 2016 JCN received $23.5 million from a group called the Wellspring Committee, a sort of ATM for right-wing causes that include the Federalist Society, the conservative analytics outfit Data Trust and the 45Committee, which spent heavily to support Trump’s presidential bid and is affiliated with the Ricketts family, who owns the Chicago Cubs. And Wellspring, in turn, received a jaw-dropping donation of $28 million from a single donor

[spooky3]

1. We need a whistleblower. Nt

[Frustratedlady]

2. OK, I have a question that has bothered me for a long time.

This ad situation has gotten out of control. What I question is who gets all these millions? Who are the owners of these ad companies and/or networks where they are played ad nauseum? During a regular election, there are so many million$ being paid to these companies as though they are spending hundreds, not millions. That doesn't bother anyone else?

Most people hate the ads and don't pay attention anyway, so why bother? Most ads probably don't take more than a few hours to produce, so why so expensive? Where are all these millions being stashed? I can't believe there are so many people who have $50M laying around that they want to flush down the toilet.

Call me stupid, but I just don't get it.

[saidsimplesimon]

3. Sheldon Adelson as well?

I booked marked this yesterday, busy day with phone calls and stepping outside.

My position is that SCOTUS screwed up big time by giving corporations and others permission to use "dark money" to purchase
elections and legislation. Oh well, another reason SCOTUS picks can determine the course of US history.

Rachel Maddow did a flow chart of big money influence, best I've every seen. It was before the 2016 elections? Sorry, I do not have a link (I am avoiding youtube over a beef of mine about allowing posters to threaten violence in remarks.)

Owner of the Las Vegas Sands, the Macau and other enterprises, Mr. Adelson is a multi-billionaire. He tries to keep his profile low as a top 10 GOP donor. It seems Democrats also gamble and why give up another "mark" . His quid pro quo could be running interference at the Justice Depart for campaign contributions (speculation on my part).

The snippet below is a very small item on the site subject page. There are lots of links for those who have an interest in this topic.

https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Sheldon_Adelson

2012 Investigation by US Justice Department

Since early 2012, Adelson has been the subject of a Justice Department investigation inquiring into activities at Adelson-controlled casinos in Macau, a special administrative region of China, west of Hong Kong. Adelson is suspected of violating sections of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (which prohibits the bribing of foreign officials) while dealing with the Chinese government. [8]

Emails leaked by ex-company employees prompted the investigation, Adelson allegedly instructed a top executive to make a $700,000 payment to Leonel Alves, a Macau legislator, to help resolve two issues: a lawsuit by a Taiwanese businessman and permission to sell luxury apartments in Macau. [9] Adelson instructed executives at the Macau casino to pay the official despite warnings from his general counsel that the payment could violate of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. [10] The Chinese government has fined Adelson's company $1.6 million for regulations violations [11]

[dalton99a]

4. Kick