News Hub | News Direct

Professional Services

Architecture CRM/Customer Service Consulting Government & Policy Human Resources Intellectual Property/Trademark/Patent Law Legal
Article thumbnail News Release

CEPRES Expands Due Diligence Solutions Suite with Launch of Fund Screener

CEPRES

CEPRES — the leader in private market investment technology — today announced the launch of CEPRES Fund Screener, a new product within CEPRES ’ s Due Diligence solution suite. CEPRES Fund Screener empowers limited partners (LPs) with powerful analysis capabilities on general partners ’ (GPs) track records within a secure, easy-to-use platform. The product enables investors to track and manage their fund investment pipeline and all the relevant information and GP contacts for their forward calendar. They can then drill into the GPs ’ track records via a secure data network with all the key analytics required by their investment committees. Users can also look through fund metrics using deal-level sensitivity analysis to see how different variables impacted the GP ’ s track record. CEPRES Fund Screener recently launched in private beta and has already been used by several of the most influential private market investors around the world. All gave universal praise to its streamlined approach and ease of usability in helping cut due diligence time without sacrificing quality and evaluate more investment opportunities. CEPRES chief product officer Chris Godfrey remarked, "Private market investors recognize they can no longer cope with only manual data handling and complex and error-prone Excels required to underwrite investments in today ’ s volatile environment. CEPRES Fund Screener empowers investors with better data and analytical tools so they can use their time on decision-making instead of chasing data errors and figuring out how to automate attribution analysis." CEPRES Fund Screener is part of the CEPRES ecosystem, which encompasses GP data look through, due diligence, portfolio monitoring, forecasting, and fund and deal benchmarking. Together, CEPRES drives better investment outcomes through unmatched data granularity and governance combined with insightful analytics. All CEPRES analyses are backed by deal-level cash flows and operating metrics direct from GPs — not just rolled up metrics. CEPRES Fund Screener data is 100% governed and actionable, eliminating the challenges of disparate data sources and types. CEPRES Fund Screener enables both self service via Excel data upload and managed service through CEPRES ’ s data network, which encompasses 10,500 funds — including 93% of the PEI 100 — and more than 105,000 portfolio company direct deals. CEPRES is the first platform built for the age of digital transformation in private markets. Our investment data platform provides real-time and predictive analytics to unlock better investment outcomes and drive better faster decisions. CEPRES clients leverage proprietary deal data and complete cash flows from the largest private market ecosystem, containing $35T in assets, 100K PE-backed companies, 10,000 funds, and 4,000 GPs and LPs. Accelerate your private equity digital transformation journey at CEPRES.com. Contact Details Marc Allen marc.allen@cepres.com Company Website https://www.cepres.com

March 31, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

137 Countries Agree to Phase-Out Major Category of Fluorescent Lightbulbs

CLASP

At the Minamata Convention on Mercury fourth Conference of Parties (COP4), 137 governments adopted amendments to phase out a major category of fluorescent lighting, but actions were stalled on others. All fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, a chemical of major public health concern according to the World Health Organization. In a major win for environmental and human health, the Parties agreed to phase-out compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) by 2025. By accelerating the transition to LED lighting, which is more energy-efficient and non-toxic, the move will avoid 26.2 metric tonnes of mercury pollution and 261.5 million metric tons CO 2 emissions from 2025-2050, and save people $77.8 billion in lower energy bills. However, last-minute interventions delayed a decision on linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs), the long tubes commonly found in offices and stores, until Minamata COP5 in November 2023. “LEDs are a rare silver bullet technology – they’re ready now, they cost half as much to run as fluorescents, and they constitute a double win for climate change mitigation and reducing toxics pollution. We were amazed to see the international cooperation on lighting at COP4. We hope for continued global alignment and momentum at COP5,” said Corinne Schneider, Chief Communications Officer at CLASP. Over days of intense negotiations, a group of countries came together to agree on phase-out dates for all lighting categories, including the EU, India, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Pakistan, Switzerland, the US, and many Latin American governments, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Colombia. However, not all Parties were prepared to move forward, citing the need for more time and additional feasibility analysis. A phase-out of LFLs by 2027 – the date that most countries rallied around by the end of the week – would have captured significantly greater benefits, avoiding a further 71.7 million metric tons mercury pollution and 2.72 Gt of CO2 emissions and saving $1.06 trillion in cost savings, according to experts at CLASP. Last year, 36 governments representing the Africa region submitted a proposal to the Minamata Convention to phase-out virtually all fluorescent lighting by the end of 2025. With many OECD countries banning fluorescents in the coming years in favor of more efficient LEDs, less regulated markets risk becoming dumping grounds for toxic lighting. “The Africa region recognizes that lighting is crucial in promoting livelihoods. Through our proposal, we took the first step towards a global phase-out of mercury-containing fluorescent lighting,” explained Oumar Cissé, Head of Delegation (Mali) in his opening statement at COP4. “The case to phasing out fluorescent lamps – both CFLs and LFLs – is already justified today from a public health, environmental, technical as well as economic perspective.” “The original proposal by the Africa region is consistent with our findings that a transition to clean and efficient lighting is feasible everywhere today. The move to phase out CFLs represents a major win, as it will remove toxic, inefficient bulbs from our homes. But keeping LFLs on the market continues to disadvantage our offices, hospitals, schools and childcare centers, needlessly increasing energy costs and risking mercury exposure,” said Ana Maria Carreño, Director of Climate at CLASP. NGO groups around the world advocated over the past year to address mercury in lighting at COP4. The Climate Action Network launched a petition that garnered over 200 signatures from climate and environmental groups, as well as the private sector, urging governments to take action to phase out fluorescents. “We are leaving this COP with mixed emotions. Un- and under-regulated markets are increasingly vulnerable to dumping of fluorescents that many countries have already banned due to their toxicity and inefficiency,” said Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, International Co-coordinator of the Zero Mercury Working Group. “The decision to phase out CFLs is one step in the right direction, and we congratulate governments for their efforts to progress the Convention’s promise to ‘Make Mercury History.’ We hope to see action on LFLs at COP5 in November 2023.” “We are proud of the work the Africa region has done to protect people from toxic lighting products,” said Roger Baro, Vice President of COP4 (Burkina Faso). “We will continue working to phase-out all fluorescent lighting and stop it from causing further mercury pollution in our communities.” Fluorescent lighting represents about 10% of mercury in all products globally. In the past, fluorescent lamps were promoted as an energy-efficient alternative to incandescent and halogen lamps, and the mercury risks were tolerated as a necessary tradeoff. Today, thanks to major advances in LED technology, mercury-free LED lamps can cost-effectively replace fluorescents in virtually all applications. CLASP improves the energy and environmental performance of the appliances & equipment we use every day, accelerating our transition to a more sustainable world. Contact Details CLASP Alexia Ross +1 339-222-4311 aross@clasp.ngo Company Website http://www.clasp.ngo/

March 31, 2022 09:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

NCMA Announces Newly Elected Committee Members

National Contract Management Association

The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) today announced the addition of five newly elected committee members who will join its leadership group of distinguished volunteers. “I am pleased to announce the election of these outstanding members who will be relentless in leading work to advance our mission,” said Wendy Masiello, NCMA program year 2023 President. These members serve on NCMA Board Committees that develop tactics to meet strategic goals and improve service to the NCMA community of contract managers and acquisition-related professionals. Committee members include: Joann Campbell Maher, CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, R&D Director of Contracts, SRC, Inc Clara Anderson, CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, and Fellow, Director of Contracts, Information Systems Laboratories Bruce Tackett, Fellow, Chief Pricing Strategist, U.S. Army Contracting Command Jessica Grant-Johnson, CPCM, CFCM, Director of Contracts, The MASY Group Leslie Fessler, CPCM, CFCM, Director of Mission Systems Contracts, Collins Aerospace “NCMA is powerful because of its volunteers who generously apply their time and talents to our mission. I look forward to partnering with you to propel NCMA and the profession forward,” said Kraig Conrad, NCMA CEO. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), which was founded in 1959 and is the world’s leading association in the field of contract management. The organization, which has over 18,000 members, is dedicated to the professional growth and educational advancement of procurement and acquisition personnel worldwide. NCMA strives to serve and inform the profession and industry it represents and to offer opportunities for the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. To find out more, please visit www.ncmahq.org. Contact Details Jennifer Knowlton +1 571-382-1127 jennifer.knowlton@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

March 30, 2022 04:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

NCMA Announces National Board Appointments

National Contract Management Association

The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) is proud to welcome four new members to its Board of Directors and announce the next President-Elect. These Directors are community influencers and powerful supporters of contract management and related acquisition professions. The appointments include: President-Elect: Denyce Carter New Directors: Megan Dake, CPCM; Eugene Scott II, JD, CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, and Fellow; and, Shanna Webbers The newly appointed National Directors join 12 other Directors who bring extensive experience from both industry and government to the NCMA Board. Returning directors include Wendy Masiello, Denyce Carter, Amanda Christian, Iris Cooper, Heather Dallara, Major General Cameron Holt, Ted Harrison, Jeff Napier, Steve Sarris, Heidi Timmerman, Joy M. White, and Michael Wooten. Denyce Carter will assume President-Elect responsibilities on July 1, 2022, and will serve as one of the three officers to expand NCMA thought leadership and elevate the profession. Denyce Carter is Vice President of Contracts and Purchasing at General Atomics, one of the world's leading resources for high technology systems. In her capacity as Vice President of Contracts & Purchasing, Ms. Carter is responsible for the company’s commercial and government contracts and procurements and related systems. Since taking over leadership of the company’s Contracts and Purchasing department she has elevated the acquisition organization through recruitment, training, process improvement, terms and conditions, and policy and procedures development. Ms. Carter is widely recognized and respected throughout the purchasing and contracting community for her knowledge and understanding of U.S. Government procurement laws and regulations. “Ms. Dake, Mr. Scott, and Ms. Webbers bring their unique backgrounds and perspectives to the Board as NCMA grows and advances in service of members. I am personally delighted to welcome such a strong group of new board members, and I look forward to serving with each of them in the coming year," said Wendy Masiello, NCMA program year 2023 President. “I welcome our new Directors and celebrate Denyce’s move into a new Board leadership role. It is an honor to have these engaged thought partners as we increase impact and service to this amazing community,” said Kraig Conrad, CEO of NCMA. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), which was founded in 1959 and is the world’s leading association in the field of contract management. The organization, which has over 18,000 members, is dedicated to the professional growth and educational advancement of procurement and acquisition personnel worldwide. NCMA strives to serve and inform the profession and industry it represents and to offer opportunities for the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. To find out more, please visit www.ncmahq.org. Contact Details Jennifer Knowlton +1 571-382-1127 jennifer.knowlton@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

March 30, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

PCMA Appoints Joe McKnight as COO, Head of Corporate Development, PCMA Capital Advisors

PCMA

PCMA, the pioneer and leading voice in Non-Bank Private Client Lending, announced the hiring of industry veteran Joe McKnight, COO, Head of Corporate Development at PCMA Capital Advisors. overseeing the firm’s compliance, operations, and risk management programs. McKnight joins the firm with over 16 years of experience in operational enterprise risk management, and corporate development initiatives. His primary responsibilities include helping develop and implement the firm’s strategic growth plan, executive oversight of enterprise growth initiatives, including new business expansion, mergers and acquisitions and business development. “Joe is a high-caliber executive with a proven track record and is a very talented leader,” said John Royce Lynch, CEO and Founder of PCMA Capital Advisors and PCMA Private Client Companies. “We are laser focused on closing the loop in providing liquidity to the private client community. Joe’s ability to clarify business needs, identify opportunities, processes, and tools that empower collaboration across our teams will play a critical role in supporting the future growth of our firm as a whole.” Joe has held leadership positions and built extensive financial industry insight, having broad expertise across the asset management, private equity, and investment management industries. Prior to joining PCMA Capital Advisors, Mr. McKnight served as Director of Legal, Executive Vice President at ECC Capital Corporation, a publicly traded REIT invested in RMBS. McKnight held management responsibility and oversight of ECC’s mortgage-back securitizations, and all regulatory compliance, licensing, litigation, and sub-servicing related to the portfolio of securitization assets. “I am excited to take the role of COO to focus on empowering the organization to even greater collaboration and innovation across every part of our business,” said Joe McKnight, COO and Head of Corporate Development at PCMA Capital Advisors. “Our ability to deliver innovative solutions and outstanding outcomes for clients is fueled by the talent, creativity, and intellectual rigor of our people and our uniquely collaborative culture.” Since 2015, Joe has served as Co-Chair for the Special Olympics’ annual gala the Heart of a Champion. He’s a current executive board member of Age Well Senior Services providing critical services, resources, and programs to seniors living in South Orange County. Joe attended Gonzaga School of Law receiving his Juris Doctorate in 2006, B.S. in Philosophy from California State University, Fullerton, and Harvard Business School Executive Education. About PCMA PCMA is a vertically integrated Asset Origination and Convexity Management firm that specializes in Structured, Super Prime, Non-Agency, Private Client Credit. With its captive origination unit, PCMA has become the leading Non-Bank Private Client Lender in the U.S. What began as a linear venture has morphed into a vertical organization and industry leading incubator of ideas pushing the boundaries of innovation in high-capacity financial services. PCMA offers qualified individuals and institutions bespoke lending and advisory services across all major credit, and residential asset classes. PCMA is headquartered in Orange County, CA. Additional information is available at www.pcma.capital & www.pcma.us.com Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain “forward-looking statements,” which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to, among other things, its operations and financial performance. You can identify these statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “anticipation”, “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “seek,” “approximately,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate”, “preparing” and similar expressions or the negative versions of these words or comparable words, as well as future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would” and “could.” These forward-looking statements are based on current available operating, financial, economic and other information, and are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Therefore, current plans, anticipated actions, financial results, as well as the anticipated development of the industry, may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in any forward-looking statement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law. Contact Details Pcma Private Client Jason L Jepson +1 949-394-7033 jjepson74@gmail.com Company Website https://pcma.us.com

March 30, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Precision Computer Services Wins Negligence Lawsuit Against Newtown Savings Bank

Precision Computer Services

Technology firm Precision Computer Services, Inc. recently won summary judgment in its negligence lawsuit against Newtown Savings Bank. In 2017, the bank failed to identify a fraudulent wire transfer order, and bank employees sent $67,560 from Precision’s account to a bank in Hungary. Despite this failure, the bank refused to reimburse Precision for the unauthorized withdrawal. In 2017, the bank received an email from an individual pretending to be Precision president Michael FitzSimons. The email was sent from an email account with a similar but fraudulent domain name, a tactic known as “spoofing.” The email requested that funds be sent urgently to a bank in Hungary. Precision had never previously wired funds to Hungary nor did it have any payment history or business relationship with the recipient of the funds. The original lawsuit contended that the bank did not follow guidance concerning fraudulent spoofing schemes that was distributed in 2016 by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the United States Department of Treasury. In its ruling, the district court noted that the bank failed to comply with reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing when it did not require multi-factor authentication of the wire transfer order, stating that “multifactor authentication is the lodestar of reasonableness in wire transfer transactions.” The judgment stated the bank “did not call FitzSimons to confirm that the payment originated from him, require FitzSimons to answer security questions, require the provision of identifying word or numbers, or the use of a passcode.” The bank failed to authenticate the payment order and failed to have the fraudster who purported to be FitzSimons prove his identity. “For nearly five years, Newtown Savings Bank’s leadership did not reimburse our company for the fraudulent wire transfer that it failed to authenticate,” said FitzSimons. “I’m deeply saddened that I put my trust in the leadership of my hometown bank that, in the end, failed to protect one of its longtime customers.” For more than 33 years, Precision Computer Services, Inc. has strategically partnered with technology providers to bring top-tier IT products and industry-leading innovations to the marketplace. More information is available at precisiongroup.com. The judgment is available here and at www.LawsuitPressRelease.com. Further information on the case is available at www.NSBLAWSUIT.com. Contact Details LawsuitPressRelease.com John P. David +1 888-859-6637 john@lawsuitpressrelease.com Company Website https://precisiongroup.com/

March 29, 2022 08:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Omnichannel Engagement Is Becoming a Centerpiece of Customer Experience Strategy for Many Organizations, According to Dash Research

Dash Network

Although brands have been transforming their customer experience (CX) models over the last several years, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated many organizations’ plans for deploying omnichannel engagement strategies, according to a new report from Dash Research. An omnichannel strategy is a cross-channel strategy that gives a seamless and integrated experience to users across multiple channels. Unlike multichannel strategies, where each channel is managed individually, omnichannel engagement strategies streamline all customer touchpoints under a single platform, with a consistent and continuous experience for the user. “To enable omnichannel engagement, companies must remove data silos and capture and analyze customer interactions at scale,” says principal analyst Keith Kirkpatrick. “With these insights, organizations can uncover pain points, concerns, or challenges, and take action to improve omnichannel CX and drive increased customer retention and loyalty.” Kirkpatrick adds that there are five key market drivers for the growth of omnichannel engagement strategies: Poor levels of customer support A growing shift to digital interactions Changing demographics of customers The COVID-19 impact on sales, service, and support CX as a competitive differentiator Like any technology or approach, however, there are technical and operational barriers to complete market adoption. Dash Research’s analysis indicates that the most notable barriers to adopting and incorporating an omnichannel engagement strategy within the enterprise are: Technical challenges with implementing disparate software and workflow processes A lack of an agreed-upon and supported omnichannel vision Training and personnel issues Privacy issues Dash Research’s report, “Omnichannel Customer Engagement”, examines the market issues, drivers, and barriers for the use of platforms, software applications, and services that enable the deployment of omnichannel engagement strategies for CX. Several case studies illustrating the various ways omnichannel engagement is being used by end users are included in the report, along with best practices, software selection criteria, and recommendations for deploying omnichannel engagement strategies. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website. About Dash Research Dash Research, the market intelligence arm of Dash Network, provides in-depth research and insights on the worldwide CX market including a comprehensive assessment of technology solutions, business issues, market drivers, and end-user dynamics across industry sectors. Dash Research’s global market coverage combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a complete view of emerging business opportunities surrounding contact center technologies, customer data & analytics, customer data platforms, customer insights & feedback, customer relationship management, personalization & optimization, and employee experience. For more information, visit www.dashresearch.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Dash Network is an independent, integrated B2B research, events, and digital media platform focused on best business practices and technology solutions for the global Customer Experience (CX) market. The company provides a unique, CX-focused, full-service content and marketing solution, designed to enable industry participants’ strategic planning and go-to-market initiatives, while simultaneously extending the market reach of corporate brands and product messaging to a global audience of CX practitioners. For more information, visit www.dashnetwork.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Contact Details Clint Wheelock +1 720-603-1700 press@dashnetwork.com Company Website http://www.dashnetwork.com

March 29, 2022 05:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Minuteman Press Franchise in Irvine, CA Achieves Record Monthly Sales Driven By Apparel and Promotional Products Growth

Minuteman Press International Inc

Frank Matsumoto is the owner of Minuteman Press located at 18 Technology Drive, Suite 171, in Irvine, California. Frank has owned the business since 2010 and recently achieved record monthly sales. Frank says, “My growth was sparked by increases in apparel and promotional products sales. This made up 60% of my business while wide format printing was also a growth driver for us.” For nearly 12 years, Frank has built his brand by building relationships and following the Minuteman Press franchise business model to market his business. “I personally visit other local businesses to get to know other people and so they can get to know me. It also gives me the chance to see what they are doing in terms of promotional products as behind every counter are items like cups, pens, and t-shirts. Everywhere I go, I make sure to wear branded Minuteman Press apparel and I come prepared with our branded product catalogs. It starts with me wearing my own branded apparel and showing them our products, and then it goes – and grows – from there.” “As soon as I educate clients on our ability to go beyond printing, their mindset changes and suddenly they realize they can use our services for their apparel and promotional needs.” -Frank Matsumoto, owner, Minuteman Press franchise, Irvine, CA One client that has taken full advantage of Minuteman Press’ printing, apparel, and promotional products capabilities is HI-CHEW ™. Frank says, “We started our relationship on a phone call for a rush order of postcards. I visited with them, introduced myself, and secured the order. At first, we did a run of 25,000 die-cut postcards. This turned into a reorder for 75,000 and then later over 100,000 die-cut postcards featuring HI-CHEW™ products and coupons.” Frank continues, “Thanks to fulfilling that first order and then building that relationship, the number of items we’ve provided for HI-CHEW™ has grown considerably over the past four years. At the end of 2021, we did their string backpacks, sunglasses, laminated tote bags, t-shirts, 13,000 hand sanitizers, keychains, and stickers on their specialty buckets. We also provide branded apparel for their employees and for customer giveaways.” “There’s no way to replace the touch and feel of a promotional item or printed piece. It is simply good business to use print as a marketing tool to reach your target audience and help increase brand awareness as well as ROI.” -Frank Matsumoto Over the past two years, Minuteman Press in Irvine has remained open and operating throughout the pandemic as an essential business. During that time, Frank ramped up his marketing across all channels. He says, “We used mailers, built up our social media, and solidified our presence by generating positive Google reviews. We have earned a 5-star rating with nearly 100 reviews, and we are proud to receive such amazing customer feedback.” Today, as more business events return to Irvine, Frank has seen an uptick in trade show supplies. Frank says, “Orders for trade shows can include everything from booth displays, banners, and table throws to apparel and promotional products. For all of these items, Minuteman Press is here to help.“ “Irvine has one of the largest business hubs in Orange County. There are a lot of opportunities here, and I also am in a business complex building relationships each day with other business owners. I’ve used a combination of direct marketing, promotional mailers, email marketing, social media marketing, and networking through my BNI group to grow over the years.” Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Frank worked in sales. “I was looking at several franchises and did my due diligence. I really liked the structure of Minuteman Press, as well as the B2B nature of the business. I didn’t want to rely on walk-ins like a general retail store, and I love the Monday-Friday business hours. It gives me the freedom and flexibility to do things like pick up my daughter from school and take her to her fencing class while still being able to build my business.” Frank appreciates the ongoing local support he’s received from Minuteman Press since buying the business. “Whenever I need something, Dan Byers and the regional team is here to help me. I also like the FLEX software we use to manage all of the different aspects of the business.” When asked what the biggest lesson he’s learned over the past 12 years as a business owner, Frank answers, “What comes to mind is one of the first things that was taught during the Minuteman Press training program. There was a sign that said, ‘If you don’t market, you won’t make it.’ Over the years, and especially over the past two years, I can say that marketing has been huge for our sustained growth and success.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Irvine, CA, visit their website: https://www.irvine.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

March 28, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

NLPC Files Lawsuit Against FEC for Dismissing Complaint Against Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez for Massive Reporting and Contribution Violations

National Legal & Policy Center

The National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), an ethics watchdog group, filed a lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleging that the FEC unlawfully and arbitrarily dismissed NLPC’s March 2019 complaint against Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Saikat Chakrabarti, her former Chief of Staff and his fundraising company, Brand New Congress LLC, and related political committees. NLPC’s 2019 complaint alleged that AOC and company failed to properly disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars in fundraising expenses and violated campaign contribution limits by using Chakrabarti’s Brand New Congress LLC to essentially operate her campaign without disclosing and itemizing campaign expenses over $200 as required by law. Instead, almost a million dollars were disclosed simply as “strategic consulting.” In its February 23, 2022 letter to the NLPC, the FEC simply noted that the FEC dismissed the complaint against AOC a month earlier in January, and was deadlocked 3-3 with respect to the Brand New Congress respondents. The FEC has yet to give any reason for its dismissal of NLPC’s complaint but said those belated reasons will be forthcoming. “This wasn’t dark money. It was pitch black money,” said Peter Flaherty, Chairman of NLPC. “This appears to be a scheme to spend hundreds of thousands to elect ‘progressive’ candidates without any of the required disclosure for any expenditure of $200 or more,” Flaherty added. “It is outrageous that the FEC would dismiss NLPC’s complaint that even former FEC Commissioners have indicated raise civil if not criminal violations,” said Paul Kamenar, NLPC’s counsel who filed the lawsuit. “We look forward to prevailing in court,” Kamenar added. ### NLPC’s Government Integrity Project has filed numerous ethics complaints with the FEC, IRA, DOJ, and Congressional Ethics Committees against government officials. For a copy of NLPC’s lawsuit, go to: https://www.nlpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NLPC-v.-FEC-AOC-Complaint-with-Exhibits.pdf. Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. Contact Details Paul Kamenar +1 301-257-9435 paul.kamenar@gmail.com Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

March 28, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

1 ... 8788899091 ... 152