Yes on Prop 2 Campaign Files FPPC Complaint Today, Alleging Money Laundering by United Egg Producers

The Yes on Prop 2 campaign, which hopes to house egg-laying hens in crates sufficiently large for them to turn around and spread their wings, filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission today alleging that the No on Prop 2 campaign has used the United Egg Producers as a conduit to launder out-of-state contributions to the campaign in direct violation of California finance laws.

"The opponents of Proposition 2 are laundering donations through a trade association, and sidestepping California campaign finance laws that exist to allow the public to understand what groups and individuals are financing political campaigns," said Yes on Prop 2 campaign manager Jennifer Fearing. "These disreputable tactics and deception should not be tolerated either by state authorities or by the voters."

Last week, World Poultry Magazine (think International Herald Tribune, take away everything but poultry) reported that the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, based out of Georgia, gave $250,000 go to the United Egg Producers for their campaign against Prop 2. Indeed, the UEP sent letters to major poultry interests specifically requesting money to combat Prop 2, listing dozens of companies "that have thus far made contributions to United Egg Producers." By encouraging direct donations to the UEP rather than to the official ballot committee, the factory farm interests hoped to raise cash without drawing attention to a cast of donors that don't typically elicit comradery among the California electorate. Believe it or not, when your donor base is largely comprised of companies that make a living maximizing profits through animal neglect, eating fines when caught but rarely changing farming practices, perhaps laundering is the smartest political choice.

But alas, it is also the illegal choice. "The UEP and its donors are depriving California voters of valuable information regarding the funders behind ballot committee campaigns, which is required under the state Political Reform Act," the Yes on 2 campaign explains.

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