Report: JCOPE Investigating Non-Profit

The Albany Times Union reports that the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is investigating a non-profit, possibly regarding its compliance with the state’s “source of funding” reporting requirement.

Pledge 2 Protect was established in 2013 to oppose the construction of a waste transfer station on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.  In the second half of 2013, the group’s JCOPE filing indicates that it received $689,216 from a law firm, Marquart & Small.

The state’s ‘source of funding’ law requires certain entities that are registered as lobbyist or clients to report the source of their funding to JCOPE on their lobbying reports. The purpose of this requirement is to increase transparency by informing the public about who is trying to influence the government’s decision-making process.

The article suggests that JCOPE is looking at whether Pledge 2 Protect served as a pass-though, possibly on behalf of real estate developer Glenwood Management.

If JCOPE does bring some sort of action against Pledge 2 Protect, it could mean that JCOPE will not allow groups to use pass through entities to avoid disclosure of their funding sources.