Arno Political Consultants

Arno Political Consultants, Inc. (APC) is a political consulting company based in Lincoln, California. The company was founded in 1979 by Michael Arno. The company reports that its former and current clients include the National Rifle Association and R. J. Reynolds.[1]

APC has frequently been the subject of controversy over various forms of petition fraud.

Controversy
  • In 2004, APC hired JSM who hired YPM who is accused of tricking people into registering to vote as a Republican.[1]
  • In 2005, paid signature collectors from APC revealed that an unknown but large number of signatures for a petition to remove the right to same-sex marriage in Massachusetts had been collected through fraud. The collectors told voters that they were signing a petition about a different issue, or that the petitions were in favor of same-sex marriage.[2][3]
  • In 2007, reporters observed Arno signature gatherers offering food to homeless people in exchange for their signatures on a California ballot initiative petition.[4]
  • In 2009, proponents of a payday loan veto referendum sued APC in Franklin County for breach of contract and negligence. 13,000 signatures were thrown out because the Form 15's had not been appropriately filled out. They were seeking $438,000.[5]
  • In 2014, the national aviation and private jet lobbyist organizations, AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) and NBAA (National Business Aviation Association), hired APC to help place a measure on the November 2014 ballot in Santa Monica. The purpose of the AOPA-NBAA measure was to keep Santa Monica Airport (SMO) open to the growing private jet traffic, despite concerns and opposition from City residents, and prohibit the City from imposing additional restrictions that would inhibit fuel sales such as those made with toxic leaded chemicals known as avgas. The AOPA-NBAA ballot strategy was sparked when the City Council unanimously voted on March 25, 2014 to take steps to shut down the airport when the City’s agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expires on July 1, 2015.[6]

References
  1. David Karp, St. Petersburg Times, "Students complain of false party swap" October 23, 2004
  2. LeBlanc, Steve (October 19, 2005). "Marriage backers, foes point fingers". Boston Globe.
  3. Beaudet, Mike (November 6, 2005). "Fox25 Undercover". Fox 25 News at 10.
  4. Steinhauer, Jennifer (November 21, 2007). "Opponents of California Ballot Initiative Seek Inquiry". The New York Times.
  5. Reginald Fields, The Plain Dealer, "Ohio casino backers hire troubled California firm Arno Political Consultants" April 28, 2009
  6. Daniel Larios, Santa Monica Lookout, "Santa Monica Airport Referendum Steeped in Controversy" May 1, 2014


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