Citizens United Sues New York State

MANHATTAN (CN) - Citizens United sued the New York attorney general, claiming the state has no right to information about its "confidential" donors.

Citizens United and the Citizens United Foundation sued New York Attorney General Eric Schneidermann, in Federal Court.

It claims the attorney general has no right to demand, as he has, copies of its IRS Form 990 Schedule B, for it to engage in "solicitation and advocacy" in the state.

The IRS calls the form in question a "Schedule of Contributors."

Citizens United claims the demand violates its First and 14th Amendment rights, and the New York Administrative Procedures Act.

It seeks an injunction "against the enforcement of 13 NYCRR § 91.5(c), as interpreted by the attorney general, so that they may continue to solicit and accept contributions in connection with discussing issues of immediate public importance in 2014, as well as thereafter."

It claims that federal law requires that information in Form 990 Schedule B be kept confidential.

Citizens United describes itself in the lawsuit as a nonprofit, 503(c)(4) organization that "seeks to promote the traditional American values of limited government, free enterprise, strong families, and national sovereignty and security."

It is represented by Samuel Rosenthal with Patton Boggs, in Washington, D.C.

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