State asks judge to fine grocery group in 2013 ballot fight

(AP) — A lawyer for Washington state has asked a judge to penalize a food industry group, alleging it concealed the source of $11 million in campaign contributions to oppose a 2013 food labeling initiative.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued the Grocery Manufacturers Association in October 2013, saying it collected money from member companies to defeat Initiative 522 but engaged in a scheme to shield those contributions from public scrutiny.