For Immediate Release
Oct. 24, 2008
Contact: Aaron Ostrom Attorney for the Justices
Cell: 206.498.2620 Knoll Lowney
Email: Aaron@fusewashington.com cell: 206.950.1044
Or Cheryl Murfin
Cell: 206.605.4876
Email: Cheryl@fusewashington.com
Judge Upholds Lawsuit Against BIAW/Rossi, Postpones Decision on Rossi Deposition Until Monday
(Seattle, WA) Judge Callas ruled in favor of the voters right to know today, rejecting the BIAW’s efforts to dismiss a lawsuit by two former Supreme Court Justices about illegal collaboration between Dino Rossi and the BIAW on a fundraising campaign aimed at building a warchest for attack ad against Governor Gregoire.
Judge Kallas postponed her decision on Dino Rossi’s motion to quash a subpoena in the suit until Monday, but her strongly expressed views about the intent of campaign finance laws do not bode well for Rossi’s efforts to quash the subpoena.
If Judge Kallas does not quash the subpoena on Monday, the deposition is scheduled for next Wednesday October 24 at 10:00 am. Rossi will be required to testify under oath about his personal involvement in an illegal fundraising campaign orchestrated by the Building and Industry Association of Washington. Funds raised from the campaign were directed to a multi-million dollar BIAW war chest to support Rossi’s bid for Governor. The Attorney General is now prosecuting the BIAW’s fundraising as illegal.
“Today’s decision is victory for Washington voters. The Judge concluded citizens have a right challenge Dino Rossi’s collaboration in an illegal fundraising campaign aimed at financing attack ads against his opponent,” said Knoll Lowney, counsel for the retired Supreme Court Justices who filed suit against the BIAW and Rossi. “The evidence in this case is very clear – Rossi made personal calls to leaders of the builder’s association at the same time they were being asked to funnel several hundred thousand dollars to a Rossi war chest. Rossi’s calls and personal contacts put him at the very heart of the BIAW’s illegal fundraising effort,” added Lowney.
“The Judge’s ruling today in favor of voters and citizens is a big loss for Dino Rossi,” said Aaron Ostrom, Executive Director of the statewide progressive advocacy group Fuse. “It looks like the voters will have a chance to learn what Rossi has been fighting so hard to hide.”
For information on this issue, contact Fuse Executive Director Aaron Ostrom at 206.498.2620 or aaron@fusewashington.org or Cheryl Murfin, Fuse Communications Director, 206.605.4876 or Cheryl@fusewashington.org
Fuse is a member-driven progressive advocacy group founded in 2007. With more than 65,000 members in every corner of the state, Fuse is one of Washington’s largest grassroots political organizations.
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