Common Cause Files IRS Complaint Against ALEC, Seeks Audit
Source: ThinkProgress
A day after a front-page New York Times investigation highlighted the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) as a conservative nonprofit that acts as a stealth business lobbyist, a good-government group announced it has filed an IRS complaint against the corporate front group.
ALEC, the association for conservative state lawmakers who shared a common belief in limited government, free markets, federalism, and individual liberty, has pushed an extreme legislative agenda in states across the country, pushing shoot-first stand your ground laws and voter suppression efforts. In recent weeks, at least a dozen companies announced they would no longer fund ALEC following pressure from a Color of Change national campaign and ALEC announced it would refocus its efforts away from non-economic issues. Last week, the groups Louisiana state chairman resigned from the group.
Now, Common Cause is asking the Internal Revenue Service to take action; the group is requesting the agency audit ALECs work, impose penalties, and compel payment of back taxes. Common Cause President Bob Edgar (a former Democratic U.S. Rep. from Pennsylvania) said the group is masquerading as a public charity.
As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, donations to the group are tax-deductible. But IRS rules state that (c)(3)s must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests and may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities.
Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/04/23/469033/common-cause-files-irs-complaint-against-alec-seeks-audit/
sinkingfeeling
(51,457 posts)lark
(23,102 posts)and exposing the little cretin's behind it. Couldn't happen to a more deserving group.
tk2kewl
(18,133 posts)eyewall
(674 posts)I don't see any way the IRS could NOT find them in violation of the law.
cstanleytech
(26,293 posts)EFerrari
(163,986 posts)As it is, they are basically a money laundering outfit for lobbyists right now, right?
cstanleytech
(26,293 posts)HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)Might call for some popcorn.
Uncle Joe
(58,364 posts)Thanks for the thread, Galraedia.
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)Can the corporations be gone after too?