Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer Challenges President Obama’s 501(c)(4) Group, Organizing for Action

At the beginning of his first term, President Obama issued a sweeping executive order to establish unprecedented new ethics rules for his Administration. His second term is beginning in the polar opposite way. Through his political agents, the President has created a section 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization, Organizing for Action, that will raise and spend money […]

Washington Post: For top donors, inauguration means access, influence and angling for next big job

The Washington Post For top donors, inauguration means access, influence and angling for next big job By Marc Fisher and Tom Hamburger January 20, 2013 The voters have spoken, but even after a $2 billion presidential campaign, the quest for dollars in Washington continues. This weekend, the high rollers are paying for inauguration parties that […]

Statement by Fred Wertheimer: President Obama Opts for “The Ends Justify the Means”

President Obama Opts for “The Ends Justify the Means,” Where “Means” Creates Potential for Government Corruption Statement by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer President Obama has set out on a dangerous and unprecedented path as he begins his second term in office. The President and his political allies are creating a section 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization, […]

Washington Post Editorial: “Did tax-exempt groups mislead the IRS on political spending?”

The Washington Post Did tax-exempt groups mislead the IRS on political spending? By Editorial Board January 18, 2013 OF ALL THE groups that pumped hidden money into politics in recent years, the most notable and peculiar included those that claim a “social welfare” purpose and have applied to the Internal Revenue Service for designation as nonprofit […]

Reform Groups Urge Senators to Oppose Efforts to Restore Party Soft Money or Increase Party Contribution Limits

The enclosed letter was sent today to Senators and Representatives urging them to oppose efforts to restore the party soft money system or increase party contribution limits. The reform groups include Americans for Campaign Reform, Brennan Center for Justice, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Common Cause, Democracy 21,  Demos, League of Women Voters, […]

Watchdog Groups Call on IRS to Investigate American Tradition Partnership; Cite Its Reported Submission of Apparent False Information to the IRS Regarding Its Application for Tax-exempt Status

  In a letter sent today to the IRS, Democracy 21, joined by the Campaign Legal Center, called on the agency to investigate whether American Tradition Partnership (ATP), formerly known as Western Tradition Partnership (WTP), obtained its section 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status based on false information submitted to the IRS. According to the letter from the […]

“Straw Company” Complaints to FEC & DOJ Supplemented With Additional Information Regarding Funder & FreedomWorks’ Role

Today, Democracy 21 joined the Campaign Legal Center in supplementing complaints to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding possible violations of campaign finance law by two companies seemingly created for the purpose of funneling $12 million to the Super PAC FreedomWorks for America while hiding the identity of the donor.  […]

Watchdog Groups Again Call on IRS to Deny Tax-Exempt Status to Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS

Watchdog Groups Again Call on IRS to Deny Tax-Exempt Status to Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS Cite $70 Million in 2012 Campaign Expenditures as Prima Facie Evidence Group is Campaign Operation, not “Social Welfare” Group In a letter sent today to the IRS, Democracy 21, joined by the Campaign Legal Center, again called on the agency […]