The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) was ordered on Wednesday to pay $1.1 million in legal costs and fees to Washington state on top of an $18 million judgment for allegedly laundering money in a 2013 Washington initiative.

GMA provided more than $14 million to a campaign to defeat initiative 522 in Washington.  Initiative 522 would have required the labeling of genetically modified foods and seeds sold in the state. Large food industry companies were invited to provide funds to a “Defense of Brands account” to help defeat initiative 522.  PepsiCo reportedly contributed $3 million and Coca-Cola and Nestle gave almost $2 million each. The “Defense of Brands account” was reportedly set up to help shield the food companies from public disclosure and possible criticism of their opposition to initiative 522..

Initiative 522 lost narrowly, but State Attorney General Bob Ferguson pursued legal action on grounds that the GMA deliberately violated Washington state’s campaign finance and disclosure law.

Thurston County Superior Court Judge Anne Hirsch ruled last November that GMA intentionally violated campaign finance law.  “In light of all the evidence in the record, it is not credible that GMA executives believed that shielding GMA’s members as the true source of contribution to GMA’s Defense of Brands Account was legal.”

Judge Hirsch this week announced the legal fee order of $1.1 million, noting that the Attorney General’s office put extensive work into the case.  “The state asked for over a million dollars in fees and costs,” Judge Hirsch said.  “GMA presented three challenges to the State’s cost bill.  The court rejects these challenges and awards the fees and costs as requested.”