Prop 8 author using illegal fundraising tactics in Assembly campaign?

The political campaign of Prop 8 architect, Andrew Pugno, has been receiving even more scrutiny.

As we reported last month, Andrew Pugno is running for the California Assembly in 2010. The adamantly anti-gay rights attorney is seeking to represent the 5th Assembly district, an area that covers parts of Sacramento and Placer counties.

Now questions about illegal fundraising tactics have surfaced.

Pugno’s campaign has collected a quarter of a million dollars from utilizing mailing lists of Yes on 8 contributors.

Fundraising emails for Pugno were signed by Ron Prentice, president of ProtectMarriage.com, and featured a Yes on 8 logo and header.

The e-mail "appears to violate the Protectmarriage.com's stated privacy policy," wrote blogger Justin McLachlan, believing "it could all lead to a violation of California's Online Privacy Protection Act."

Executive Director Geoff Kors had this to say:

"The last thing the Legislature needs is an anti-equality extremist who is trying to build a political career for himself by denying others the same rights he enjoys. EQCA's PAC looks forward to endorsing and supporting a candidate who supports equality for all their constituents."