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Anna Massoglia

@annalecta.bsky.social
18K followers 170 following 22 posts

Publisher of InfluenceBrief.com • Editor of @MuckRock, Sunlight Research Desk • Independent analyst • Bibliophile • Views my own, not legal advice • On social media hiatus until January 2026

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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Dave Levinthal @davelevinthal.com · 17/11/2025
Congressional committee chair portrait funds have become magnets for corporate and lobbyist interests. There’s little transparency and fewer regulations for these little-known funds. A @notus.com investigation details who’s giving — and receiving: www.notus.org/money/congre...
notus.org
Few Rules Govern Contributions to Congressional Portrait Funds
Congressional committee chair portrait funds are a magnet for lobbyists and special interest money.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Influence Brief @influencebrief.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
Scoop: Elon Musk’s X Corp. made a $1 million gift to Trump’s inauguration. The inaugural committee failed to disclose the contribution for six months. New filings show just how deep Musk’s money runs in American politics. www.influencebrief.com/p/revealed-e...
influencebrief.com
Revealed: Elon Musk’s $1 Million Gift to Trump Inauguration
Elon Musk’s X Corp. gave $1 million to Trump’s inauguration but the inaugural committee didn’t disclose it until six months later… and Musk has continued pouring money into politics.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Ken Vogel @kenvogel.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Trump's inaugural committee initially failed to disclose a $1M in-kind donation from Elon Musk's X, @annalecta.bsky.social notes.
influencebrief.com
Revealed: Elon Musk’s $1 Million Gift to Trump Inauguration
Elon Musk’s X Corp. gave $1 million to Trump’s inauguration but the inaugural committee didn’t disclose it until six months later… and Musk has continued pouring money into politics.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Adam Bonica @adambonica.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
The annoying spam texts destroying the Democratic brand: $678M raised through those spam tactics $282M to one consulting firm: Mothership Strategies. $11M to actual campaigns (1.6%) The party isn’t just treating donors like marks—it’s being fleeced itself yet continues to back Mothership.
open.substack.com
The Mothership Vortex: An Investigation Into the Firm at the Heart of the Democratic Spam Machine
How a single consulting firm extracted $282 million from a network of spam PACs while delivering just $11 million to actual campaigns.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 30/07/2025
Update: Trump’s meme coin site now lists a Tron contract address— making it easier to buy on a blockchain tied to more illicit crypto activity than any other, per a report, and deepening the U.S. president’s business links to Chinese billionaire Justin Sun.
A screenshot of GetTrumpMeme's home page.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Yashar Ali 🐘 @yasharali.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
NEWS Senator Josh Hawley’s bill to ban stock trading for members of Congress, the President, and Vice President has passed out of committee. The vote was 8–7, with Hawley being the only GOP to join Dems. White House had lobbied against the bill since it includes the President and Vice President.
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Anna Massoglia @annalecta.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Trump cut the ribbon at a new Scottish golf course this week. The White House called it a “working visit," costing taxpayers ~$10M. Since becoming president, Trump’s reported more income from Scotland than any other foreign country. My full piece for @msnbc: 🔗 www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
msnbc.com
Opinion | Trump's Scotland trip was a brazen mixing of power and profit
He has reported more income from business in Scotland than any other foreign country.
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Dave Levinthal @davelevinthal.com · 29/07/2025
"In Donald Trump’s second term, the presidency isn’t just entangled with private interests. Evidently, it’s now being used to advance them." — @annalecta.bsky.social www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
msnbc.com
Opinion | Trump's Scotland trip was a brazen mixing of power and profit
He has reported more income from business in Scotland than any other foreign country.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy @profciara.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
In his interview with me for "Democracy & Destiny," @robertmaguire.bsky.social gave a shout out to @annalecta.bsky.social for her study of the 2024 election which found $1.9 billion in dark money. soundcloud.com/profciara/de... #darkmoney #BC #CREW #moneyinpolitics
soundcloud.com
Democracy and Destiny EP 6 with CREW's Robert Maguire WBAI version
This episode of Democracy & Destiny focuses on money in politics including an interview with CREW's Robert Maguire, an expert on following the money in campaign finance. This includes discussion of Ci
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Ian Vandewalker @ianvan.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Big money from special interests, out of state groups, and secret donors is fueling expensive elections in New Jersey and Virginia... www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
brennancenter.org
Big Donors Already Making Mark on New Jersey and Virginia’s 2025 Governors’ Elections
The two states with gubernatorial races this year are on track for historically high spending driven by six- and seven-figure donations.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Casey Michel @cjcmichel.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
As anyone who's read my most recent book knows, Paul Manafort was caught dead-to-rights—by a Republican-led committee!—secretly funneling campaign documents to, and having secret conversations with, a known Russian intelligence agent. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/u...
nytimes.com
Targeting Obama, Trump’s Retribution Campaign Takes Another Turn
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Dave Levinthal @davelevinthal.com · 28/07/2025
Karoline Leavitt has a money problem that won't go away. New from me in @opensecrets.org: www.opensecrets.org/news/2025/07...
opensecrets.org
Karoline Leavitt’s 2022 campaign committee still owes $323,000 - OpenSecrets News
President Donald Trump’s White House press secretary has a money problem that won’t go away. As spring turned to summer,…
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Ciara Torres-Spelliscy @profciara.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Good morning! Please check out the latest episode of "Democracy & Destiny." In it @robertmaguire.bsky.social and I discuss why we still don't know who the biggest political spender in the 2024 election was because of the $1.9 billion in dark money. soundcloud.com/profciara/de... #darkmoney
soundcloud.com
Democracy and Destiny EP 6 with CREW's Robert Maguire WBAI version
This episode of Democracy & Destiny focuses on money in politics including an interview with CREW's Robert Maguire, an expert on following the money in campaign finance. This includes discussion of Ci
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Ian Vandewalker @ianvan.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Trump’s inauguration fundraising was record-smashing. More money, more from donors of $1 million+, huge amounts from tech & crypto, less-than-transparent sources, and a record amount of refunds. Analysis from @annalecta.bsky.social & @brennancenter.org www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res... ‬
brennancenter.org
Million-Dollar Donors Flooded Trump’s Second Inauguration
The  inauguration raised more money from donors contributing at least $1 million than any prior inauguration fundraised altogether.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Ian Vandewalker @ianvan.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Trump’s inauguration fundraising was like nothing seen before. More money, more from donors of $1 million+, huge $ from tech industry, less-than-transparent sources, and a record amount of refunds. New from @annalecta.bsky.social & @brennancenter.org ‬ www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
brennancenter.org
Million-Dollar Donors Flooded Trump’s Second Inauguration
The  inauguration raised more money from donors contributing at least $1 million than any prior inauguration fundraised altogether.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 03/07/2025
Individuals and corporations, many of which stand to benefit from the new administration, contributed an unprecedented number of seven-figure checks to the inauguration. Our latest resource follows the money: bit.ly/4kkgxv0
brennancenter.org
Million-Dollar Donors Flooded Trump’s Second Inauguration
The  inauguration raised more money from donors contributing at least $1 million than any prior inauguration fundraised altogether.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Lora Kolodny @lorak.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
“Individuals and corporations, many of which stand to benefit from the actions of the new administration, contributed an unprecedented number of seven-figure checks. The inaugural committee received more than $245 million in contributions…” What’s a conflict? www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
brennancenter.org
Million-Dollar Donors Flooded Trump’s Second Inauguration
The  inauguration raised more money from donors contributing at least $1 million than any prior inauguration fundraised altogether.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 02/07/2025
Trump’s inauguration raised more money from donors contributing at least $1 million than any prior inauguration. Learn more: bit.ly/4kkgxv0
brennancenter.org
Million-Dollar Donors Flooded Trump’s Second Inauguration
The  inauguration raised more money from donors contributing at least $1 million than any prior inauguration fundraised altogether.
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Anna Massoglia @annalecta.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Trump’s 2025 inauguration raised more from $1M+ donors than any previous inauguration raised in total—and set a new record for refunds. My new analysis with the @brennancenter.org breaks it down and follows the money trails. 🔗 www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
brennancenter.org
Million-Dollar Donors Flooded Trump’s Second Inauguration
The  inauguration raised more money from donors contributing at least $1 million than any prior inauguration fundraised altogether.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 01/07/2025
Tech interests — including cryptocurrency companies — were some of the largest contributors to Trump’s 2025 inauguration. Our latest analysis breaks down the funding.
brennancenter.org
Million-Dollar Donors Flooded Trump’s Second Inauguration
The  inauguration raised more money from donors contributing at least $1 million than any prior inauguration fundraised altogether.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Sunlight Research Desk @sunlightresearch.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Still at #IRE25? Then check out our last session on “Everything you want to know about tracking political influence & money in politics” with Sunlight's @annalecta.bsky.social, Soo Rin Kim (ABC News), & @robertmaguire.bsky.social @citizensforethics.org ⏰ 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Galerie 4 (2nd floor)
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Lucia Walinchus @walinchus.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Fantastic panel by @zakimfridge.bsky.social @jasonleopold.bsky.social @annalecta.bsky.social and Jay Hunter. Bookmark this if you want tips on disappearing data. #IRE25 bit.ly/ire25
Picture of the panel speaking at #IRE25
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Jane Mayer @janemayer.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
brennancenter.org
Dark Money Hit a Record High of $1.9 Billion in 2024 Federal Races
Spending by groups that do not disclose their donors has increased and become harder to trace.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Ian Vandewalker @ianvan.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Dark money in the 2024 elections reached a record high of $1.9 billion, almost double the prior record in 2020. New analysis from @brennancenter and @annalecta.bsky.social www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
brennancenter.org
Dark Money Hit a Record High of $1.9 Billion in 2024 Federal Races
Spending by groups that do not disclose their donors has increased and become harder to trace.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Eric Lipton NYT @ericlipton.nytimes.com · 12/05/2025
TODAY the NYT publishes an investigation into the Trump memecoin $TRUMP and how it has turned into a extraordinary venue for foreign influence campaigns. What we are seeing is potentially corrupt attempts to change US policy by paying the Trump family money. This is no "Russian Hoax" nyti.ms/4kkv7D7
nyti.ms
Auction to Dine With Trump Creates Foreign Influence Opportunity (Gift Article)
When the bidding stops Monday, the top buyers of a Trump family crypto coin will win a tour of the White House.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 08/05/2025
Since Citizens United, dark money groups have spent at least $4.3 billion on federal elections. Our latest analysis from @annalecta.bsky.social tracks dark money spending in the 2024 election cycle.
brennancenter.org
Dark Money Hit a Record High of $1.9 Billion in 2024 Federal Races
Spending by groups that do not disclose their donors has increased and become harder to trace.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 07/05/2025
The 2024 federal election was the most secretive since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in 2010. Dark money groups — nonprofits and shell companies that hide their donors — spent more than $1.9 billion on last year’s elections, nearly doubling the 2020 record of $1 billion.
brennancenter.org
Dark Money Hit a Record High of $1.9 Billion in 2024 Federal Races
Spending by groups that do not disclose their donors has increased and become harder to trace.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Steven T. Dennis @steventdennis.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Must-read new Bloomberg analysis: Most of the top holders of Trump’s memecoin - who are vying for an “intimate dinner” with POTUS and a White House tour - are likely foreign. www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
bloomberg.com
Top Trump Crypto Buyers Vying for Dinner Seats Are Likely Foreign, Data Shows
The majority of top holders of Donald Trump’s memecoin have used foreign exchanges that say they ban US users, suggesting many purchasers are based abroad
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Alexander Howard @digiphile.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
“The 2024 federal election cycle was the most secretive since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in 2010.”- @annalecta.bsky.social www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res... Dark money groups, nonprofits, & shell companies spent $1.9 billion — almost double the record $1 billion spent in 2020.
brennancenter.org
Dark Money Hit a Record High of $1.9 Billion in 2024 Federal Races
Spending by groups that do not disclose their donors has increased and become harder to trace.
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Anna Massoglia @annalecta.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
NEW: Dark money spending in the 2024 federal elections hit $1.9 billion — nearly double the previous record. This is an unprecedented surge in secret political spending. Here’s the full @brennancenter.bsky.social report with all of the details: www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
brennancenter.org
Dark Money Hit a Record High of $1.9 Billion in 2024 Federal Races
Spending by groups that do not disclose their donors has increased and become harder to trace.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Ian Vandewalker @ianvan.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Dark money in the 2024 elections reached a record high of $1.9 billion, about double the prior record in 2020. New analysis from @brennancenter and @annalecta.bsky.social www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
brennancenter.org
Dark Money Hit a Record High of $1.9 Billion in 2024 Federal Races
Spending by groups that do not disclose their donors has increased and become harder to trace.
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Ruslan Trad @ruslantrad.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
China is funding troll farms to spread fake news in the Philippines. Infinitus Marketing received 930,000 pesos to manage 330 Facebook and X accounts:
philstar.com
‘Chinese government contracted Makati firm for troll farms’
A Senate probe yesterday uncovered China-sponsored troll farms hired to manipulate public opinion on social media, with a National Security Council (NSC) official suspecting that Beijing is engaged in...
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 25/04/2025
🚨 New: Don Jr. and Eric Trump could soon sell $9.6 million in Dominari Holdings stock they got for serving on a little-known advisory board — after just 10 weeks on the job, a new SEC filing shows. Full story here ⬇️
forbes.com
Don Jr. And Eric Trump Could Soon Sell $9.6 Million In Stock Granted For Brief Advisory Board Tenure, SEC Filing Reveals
The president’s two oldest sons were granted 1 million shares in a little-known company headquartered in Trump Tower, after joining a low-profile advisory board with vague responsibilities.
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Dave Levinthal @davelevinthal.com · 25/04/2025
NEWS: The FEC will lose its quorum of commissioners next week, meaning the campaign finance agency will endure a de facto shutdown of its high-level responsibilities, such as enforcing laws and issuing rulings and opinions. From me in @notusreports.bsky.social: www.notus.org/policy/feder...
notus.org
The Federal Election Commission Is Facing a De Facto Shutdown
The FEC needs at least four members to function. It’s about to drop to only three.
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Sunlight Research Desk @sunlightresearch.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
We're honored to help newsrooms nationwide and are excited about the opportunity to increase our support of investigative local journalism! Join our FREE monthly workshops (there's one this Friday with @propublica.org) & stay updated with our latest resources sunlightresearch.net/research-training
sunlightresearch.net
Training | Sunlight Research
Join Sunlight Research Center for in-depth investigative reporting workshops designed to help journalists build their reporting skillsets.
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Anna Massoglia @annalecta.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Good analysis by Indy Scholtens on @opensecrets.org: Private prison companies are pouring millions into lobbying & political donations as the Trump admin is poised to step up deportations —potentially increasing their revenue by billions. www.opensecrets.org/news/2025/04...
opensecrets.org
Private prison companies positioned to benefit from increased deportations - OpenSecrets News
As the Trump administration is ramping up detentions and deportations of immigrants living in the United States, it is also…
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Sunlight Research Desk @sunlightresearch.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Big 👏 to @nondoc.bsky.social for looking into OK Supreme Court candidates—uncovering legal ties, donor records & land holdings that matter to voters. Sunlight’s Research Desk is proud to support in surfacing the details 📖 ➡️ nondoc.com/2024/04/10/o... Hey journos 👉 www.sunlightresearch.net/resources
nondoc.com
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Sohan Dsouza @sohandsouza.info · 15/04/2025
The US is on fast track to join Autocracy Inc.
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5GW HotTakes @5gw.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
The $1.5 Million Lobbying Blitz Behind the Self-Described “Dictator” Visiting Trump’s White House DOJ records reveal how a multimillion-dollar foreign lobbying campaign helped Bukele secure rare access to Trump’s inner circle. @annalecta.bsky.social www.influencebrief.com/p/the-15-mil...
influencebrief.com
The $1.5 Million Lobbying Blitz Behind the Self-Described “Dictator” Visiting Trump’s White House
Justice Department records reveal how a multimillion-dollar foreign lobbying campaign helped Bukele secure rare access to Trump’s inner circle.
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Anna Massoglia @annalecta.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
New: Trump met with Bukele at the White House today. What didn’t make the readout? A $1.5M foreign lobbying blitz bankrolled by El Salvador’s government to win over Trump’s inner circle. I followed the money: www.influencebrief.com/p/the-15-mil...
influencebrief.com
The $1.5 Million Lobbying Blitz Behind the Self-Described “Dictator” Visiting Trump’s White House
Justice Department records reveal how a multimillion-dollar foreign lobbying campaign helped Bukele secure rare access to Trump’s inner circle.
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Reposted by Anna Massoglia
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 13/04/2025
💰Former Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.) dropped out of a Senate race in 2018. 💰His campaign is still paying for phone/internet and Google ads. 💰The FEC has questions. docquery.fec.gov/pdf/159/2025...
A screenshot showing charges the FEC questioned.
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Vas Panagiotopoulos @vaspanagiotopoulos.com · 10/04/2025
⚠️ NSO Group is paving a path back Into Trump’s 🇺🇸America. The 🇮🇱Israeli #spyware maker, still on the US Commerce Department’s “blacklist,” has hired a new lobbying firm with direct ties to the Trump administration. Here's my investigation for @wired.com.
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Jesse Eisinger @jeisinger.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
NEW: @andykroll.bsky.social got emails where a top IRS lawyer warned Trump officials that their firings were a “fraud” on the courts. They did them anyway. www.propublica.org/article/trum...
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Sunlight Research Desk @sunlightresearch.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
🔎 How do you investigate businesses without expensive research tools? Find out on Friday, March 28! Sign up now to learn how publicly available information and free tools can help you background private and public businesses! www.sunlightresearch.net/research-tra... #SunshineWeek #journalism
sunlightresearch.net
Training | Sunlight Research
Join Sunlight Research Center for in-depth investigative reporting workshops designed to help journalists build their reporting skillsets.
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Anna Massoglia @annalecta.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
🚨 Government records are disappearing. Troves of public records and data continue to vanish overnight — weakening transparency and our ability to hold those in power accountable. This isn’t about politics. It’s about access to facts. And the consequences affect everyone.🧵
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Leah Feiger @leahfeiger.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
NEW: The GSA sparked chaos by publishing, then deleting, a list of hundreds of federal buildings to sell, including the FBI headquarters. Use our interactive tools to see where they are—and which Congressional districts they're in. from me, @dmehro.bsky.social, and @timmarchman.bsky.social:
wired.com
Here's a Map of the For-Sale Government Properties the GSA Pulled From Its Website
The General Services Administration plans to sell hundreds of government buildings, including FBI headquarters. Use our interactive tools to see where they are—and the Congressional districts they're ...
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Aaron Hedge @aaronhedge.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Thanks, @sunlightresearch.bsky.social, @annalecta.bsky.social, Jonmaesha Beltran, Seraphina Feron, and Diara Townes for helping us sort out the facts about Commissioner French's chemical stocks, which he us he'd divest from when they're through a probate process. rangemedia.co/commissioner...
rangemedia.co
Commissioner Al French vows to sell chemical stock
County Commissioner Al French will divest from manufacturers of "forever chemicals"-containing products.
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Ryan Teague Beckwith @ryanbeckwith.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
"Since I was fresh out of law school, I was not the most conventional candidate." — Anna Massoglia yourfirstbyline.substack.com/p/anna-masso...
yourfirstbyline.substack.com
'It Was the Dream Job I Never Knew Existed'
Anna Massoglia, founder, Influence Brief
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