State Supreme Court Upholds $18 Million Fine in Food Labeling Lawsuit

A grocery industry group will pay an $18 million fine after a decision by the Washington State Supreme Court.

The court issued its finding Thursday that the group, now known as Consumer Brands Association, broke state campaign finance laws in its fight against a food-labeling ballot initiative in 2013

The group spent more than $11 million against the initiative that would have required labeling of genetically modified foods, but did not reveal large donations from companies such as Coca-Cola and Nestlé.

The donors were identified after a lawsuit from state Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office, which accused the group of violating the state’s campaign finance laws.

Numerous news outlets report the group will now try to take its case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

AG Ferguson expressed his satisfaction with the state court’s decision on Twitter Thursday, saying, "Defending our democracy is one of my top priorities. Consequently, I will never stop standing up to dark money interests seeking to illegally influence elections. $18 million penalty upheld. This is a victory for fair and transparent elections."