Making a point

Costas Panagopoulos, a professor of political science at Northeastern University, said Cusack’s haul is a “fairly significant number for a single day for a state legislator,” but that there’s nothing out of the ordinary regarding the contributions.

Dupes exist on a continuum from mere inspiration to outright counterfeiting, says Alexandra Roberts, a professor of law and media at Northeastern University. 

Even if Nguyen’s contribution to the super PAC isn’t officially ruled to be illegal, the appearance of “undue influence” could impact her standing in a highly competitive primary, said Costas Panagopoulos, a Northeastern University political science professor who served as co-chair of the state-appointed Citizens Commission, which studied the role of money in politics.