Source:
Australian Broadcasting CompanyA former member of the Exclusive Brethren has revealed the secretive religious sect has been transferring large sums of money across the world to fund political campaigns in Australia and the US. In recent years Brethren leaders have met with numerous Liberal ministers, including Prime Minister John Howard. Now ABC TV's Four Corners program has revealed that tens of thousands of dollars in Brethren cash have been transferred around the world in envelopes. Former Brethren member Don Monday says some of the money was used to fund the 2004 election campaign of US President George W Bush. The program also suggests the Brethren are actively lobbying for the Howard Government, although sect leader Bruce Hales has barred his followers from voting themselves.
...
"The Brethren would normally, on a monthly basis, give gifts to Mr Hales as well as other people in responsible positions, and that money would be carried by what we jokingly would've called the 'Brethren Express'. "It would all be transferred in in envelopes by people who were travelling."
But Exclusive Brethren elder and spokesman Phil McNaughton denies Mr Hales has used the money to fund political campaigns. "He would use that to distribute to the needy amongst the Brethren and for other purposes at his discretion," he said.
Mr McNaughton says he does not know just how much money has been handed out. ... "It is money given on trust. It is to be spent in furthering the work of the Lord."
Read more:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/15/2059279.htm
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
