Patriotism is the last refuge of Sean Hannity

[Joanne98]

If patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel, then that makes Sean Hannity a scoundrel. For the last few years, Hannity has been promoting “Freedom Concerts” that promise to give college scholarships to the children of killed soldiers and payments to wounded and disabled troops. Musicians who perform at the concerts volunteer their services — as one performer put it “We paid our own way and for all of our costs and expenses to perform because we thought we were helping the troops and their families and that all the money was going to them.” Not to mention the concert-goers, who are spending their hard-earned cash thinking it is going to a good cause.

But if you look at the tax returns of the organization who puts on the concerts, less than 4% (yes, four percent) of the money collected actually went to scholarships or veterans. In order to be considered a reputable charity, over 75% of money collected is supposed to go to the promised recipients, and in fact Hannity himself promised in fundraising letters that 100% of the money donated would go directly to scholarships and wounded soldiers.

So where did the rest of the $48 million go? Hannity demands — and gets — a private Gulfstream jet to fly him, his family, and his entourage to the concerts, plus a fleet of Cadillac or Lincoln SUVs, and multiple suites at expensive hotels. Even more is spent on “consultants” and “expenses”. In other words, these events are big ego parties for Hannity, his family and friends, spending millions of dollars on who knows what, with a few scraps tossed to actual veterans.

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978116990

[Ozymanithrax]

1. Hannity steals from the widows and oraphans. n/t

[felinetta]

6. I hope you're not surprised. He also has palled around with Hal Turner. Ah to have the cover of

Faux news and corporations.  

[felinetta]

7. Appropriate punishment: WATERBOARD HIM. He already said he'd do it.

[Ozymanithrax]

8. Surprised, no. Hell, I may get a T-shirt that says that.

[undeterred]

2. Digusting greedy pig... Typical Republican.

[Zoeisright]

3. And he's NOT patriotic.

He's unAmerican.

[Jefferson23]

4. I see this story has gathered some steam and deservedly so

Now, in the OP, a musician is mentioned as having donated their time, I just wish they would have named themselves for the record.

I suspected any entertainer of stature would never ask or expect to be compensated, maybe some money for the crew?

When I looked at their website, there are concerts scheduled for the next few months and the specifics are vague about what they spend the money on.

I want to see a thorough investigation on this, what a schmuck Hannity was before, but this may potentially end his career.

snip* Since 2003, over $10 million has been raised for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund through the Freedom Concerts and generous donations from the Sean Hannity Show and its listeners. The Scholarship Fund is designated for the education of children of U.S. service members who have been killed or 100% permanently disabled in an operational mission or training accident. All net proceeds from ticket sales (after musical talent, production, promotion and venue expenses) are donated to the Scholarship Fund, aiding greatly in this effort to assist hundreds of families who have lost their loved ones while they were protecting and defending our nation and our freedoms.

https://freedomconcerts.com/

[TankLV]

5. Hannity a lying scumbag prick. Color me surprised - NOT.

Just CONFIRMS all my PREVIOUSLY HELD beliefs about him.

Good to hear the PUBLICITY this it getting - but I only heard if first HERE and NOWHERE ELSE.

Big deal.

Notify me if this goes anywhere...

[ingac70]

9. kick.

[Union Yes]

10. Hannity has advocated against his nation daily for years now. He's as unpatriotic as they come. knr

[naaman fletcher]

11. If the story turns out to be true, it's the end of Hannity...

The issue at hand is "program expenses" which are about 80% of the spending. Hannity's detractors say that its all overhead. Jets, cars, etc. Hannity's defenders claim that Hannity has footed his own bill all the way, and that all the travel expenses are flying families to see wounded soldiers, etc.

My guess is its probably a mixture of the two positions.

I am not sure how to feel about it. On the one hand I hope all that money went to good purposes, on the other hand if it didn't then hannity is through, which would be a good thing.