Grocery Manufacturers Assn. says it has reported all of its contributions toward defeating GMO food labeling measure in Washington state; comments follow state attorney general's complaint against GMA saying it concealed millions in campaign contributions
Nevin Barich
OLYMPIA, Washington
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November 22, 2013
(Associated Press)
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Food industry group says it has reported contributions in food-labeling fight
An industry group that contributed heavily to defeat a measure that would have required labeling genetically engineered foods says it reported its activity to state watchdogs and hopes to resolve a lawsuit alleging it violated Washington's campaign finance laws.
On Wednesday, the state attorney general amended complaint against the Grocery Manufacturers Association, saying it concealed millions more dollars in campaign contributions than has previously been reported. Attorney General Bob Ferguson increased from $7.2 million to $10.6 million the amount Ferguson says the organization collected from members to oppose Initiative 522 without following the rules.
Brian Kennedy, a spokesman for GMA, says the group registered as a political committee and provided "full transparency" for its contributions. In a statement, Kennedy said the group hopes to have the lawsuit resolved quickly.
Ferguson says the group formed a political committee only after he sued.
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