A Tucson “dark money” group successfully defended itself from a legal attack by Democratic activists.
Pima County Superior Court Judge Gus Aragon said there were no grounds for the temporary restraining order the Democrats were seeking.
The legal action, filed by Barbara Tellman, claimed the Foundation for Responsible Accountable Government Inc. violated state law when it did not register with the Arizona Corporation Commission to do business in Arizona.
The Foundation for Responsible Accountable Government Inc. gave $50,200 to Revitalize Tucson, an independent expenditure committee, which then spent $45,600 on billboard ads attacking Democratic Tucson City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
In court documents, Tellman described the foundation as a “dark money” group, meaning donors’ names are not publicly disclosed.
Tellman’s attorney, Vince Rabago, tried a line of questioning in court to find out about the anonymous donors, but foundation president and Republican activist Christine Bauserman testified the names of people who give money to the group are “nobody’s business.”
In an email to supporters, the foundation said it is pleased with the outcome of the case.
“We will continue moving forward doing our business of holding the government accountable,” the group said in the email.
