Impersonating a Nonprofit
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-6-2006
ISSN
1048-3306
Publisher
Tax Analysts
Language
en-US
Abstract
The Senate Finance Committee minority staff report concerning Jack Abramoff's use of tax-exempt organizations details the misuse of charities and social welfare organizations for lobbying and other purposes. It shows how Abramoff moved money from clients through exempt organizations to influence legislative and administrative decisions favorable to those clients, but without disclosing the true source of the funds. In one case, money from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, anxious to bar competition from a new casino, transferred funds through Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) to antigambling organizations associated with Ralph Reed. In other examples, money passed from clients to EOs that in short order produced public comment favorable to the client. For example, ATR received funds from Channel One Network and produced a favorable op- ed piece published in The Washington Times as well as a policy brief in support of Channel One. Abramoff also arranged for some members of Congress to travel at client expense, but named an EO as the sponsor. For example, Abramoff had the National Center for Public Policy Research sponsor members' golf trips to Scotland that were paid for by his clients.
Recommended Citation
Alan L. Feld,
Impersonating a Nonprofit
,
in
Tax Notes
(2006).
Available at:
https://scholarship.law.bu.edu/faculty_scholarship/2973
