Proposition 8 Legal Defense Fund Has IFP Level of Revenues, Yet Files a SCOTUS Amicus Brief
MAY 26, 2021
1 No party’s counsel authored this brief in whole or in part;
and no party, party’s counsel, or any person other than the Defense Fund contributed money that was intended to fund preparing or submitting this brief.
At least 10 days prior to the due date, counsel of record for all parties received timely notice of intention to file this brief of amicus curiae.
All parties have consented to the filing of this brief of amicus curiae; Petitioners filed blanket consents and Respondent consented by email.
CONCLUSION (EXTRACT FROM AMICUS BRIEF)
The real harms suffered by AFPF and the Law Center (as well as amicus Defense Fund) and their donors are not unique or isolated.
The testimony of experts at trial, the shared experiences of other charities, and common sense inform the conclusion that all nonprofit organizations who maintain confidential donor information (especially those that engage in controversial public issues, no matter what end of the political spectrum)
are exposed to the same public threats, harassment, intimidation, and retaliation, much of which is today enabled by information technology that wasn’t even imagined at the time of NAACP v. Alabama.
The outcome of this case has real consequences.
It is inevitable that people will suffer tangible harm if the California Attorney General’s unlawful practice is allowed to stand.
The petitions for writs of certiorari should be granted on this issue of exceptional importance.
Andrew P. Pugno, Principal
After practicing law in downtown Sacramento, Andrew P. “Andy” Pugno gave up his daily commute in 2004 to open a small law firm serving the suburban areas of Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado Counties.
Since then, Andy has built a successful estate planning practice helping clients reduce taxes, minimize government interference and protect their families.
With 20 years of experience as a licensed attorney, Andy successfully represents clients in a variety of estate planning, probate, trust administration and estate litigation matters. He assists clients in the preparation of revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, property agreements, charitable trusts, and advanced strategies to minimize taxes on estate assets, gifts, income and real property.
Prior to starting his own firm, Andy was an associate attorney with a major Sacramento firm specializing in local government law. He served as a Deputy City Attorney and as legal counsel for several local school districts, water districts and municipalities.
Andy Pugno is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California Supreme Court. He represented the successful parties in two high-profile cases upholding the voters’ constitutional right to enact laws by ballot initiative: Strauss v. Horton (2009) 46 Cal.4th 364, and Perry v. Brown (2011) 52 Cal.4th 1116.
Audit Alert: When you look at non-profit Proposition 8 Legal Defense fund and see on one hand they file a 990 postcard @IRSnews and on the other, they have substantial funds to retain a lawyer to file into SCOTUS their scaremongerin’ amicus brief. Then you look at their CFO… pic.twitter.com/spoJ0QLESc
— LawsInTexas (@lawsintexasusa) May 26, 2021
David P. Bauer President and Chief Executive Officer
National Fuel Gas Company
A member of our executive team since 2004, Dave has served in numerous positions with National Fuel and its operating subsidiaries.
Appointed President & CEO of National Fuel Gas Company in 2019, he is fully entrenched in and is familiar with all aspects of the Company’s operation and strategic direction.
In 2010, Dave took the helm as Principal Financial Officer, responsible for carrying out the Company’s financial strategy. He continues to play a leading role in maintaining the Company’s fiscal strength and stability to this day.
He was named President of National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation in 2016 and oversaw the Company’s pipeline and storage operations and key interstate infrastructure modernization and expansion projects.
After more than 10 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and its predecessor, Dave joined National Fuel in 2001. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Boston College and is an active member of the Western New York community, serving on numerous local boards with various affiliations.
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