Olympia Judge Outrageously Rejects Lawsuit Against Money Laundering by GMA in I-522 GMO Labeling Battle; Fines 'Moms for Labeling' Group $10,000

10.10.13

Olympia Judge Outrageously Rejects Lawsuit Against Money Laundering by GMA in I-522 GMO Labeling Battle; Fines 'Moms for Labeling' Group $10,000: A Thurston County judge has rejected the lawsuit filed last month by a "Moms for Labeling" group that sought better campaign finance disclosure by the food-industry in the ballot fight this fall over Initiative 522. The No on 522 campaign has raised a record $17.2 million to oppose the requirement to label all genetically modified foods in Washington, and $7.2 million of it comes from the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which is not itemizing where the money is coming from.

Under terms of a law meant to shelter citizens against harassing and preemptive lawsuits, Superior Court judge Chris Wickham imposed a $10,000 sanction Friday against the Moms group that had hauled No on 522 to court. At the same time, Wickham indicated that a similar but ongoing complaint at the state Public Disclosure Commission was the appropriate venue for the campaign-finance challenge.