Steven Churchwell Quoted in The Wall Street Journal

Newsom Bans California Officials From Using Inside Information on Betting Platforms

By Paul Kiernan, March 27, 2026

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order banning gubernatorial appointees from profiting on prediction markets using nonpublic information.

California’s existing ethics rules prohibit officials from having a financial interest in any governmental decision that they make, influence or participate in.

But an official who simply had knowledge of such a decision could fall through the cracks, said Steven Churchwell, who served as general counsel for the California Fair Political Practices Commission. “I think this executive order is very important in covering that gap,” he said.”

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