CREW FILES IRS COMPLAINT AGAINST GROVER NORQUIST'S AMERICANS FOR TAX REFOR

[kpete]

CREW FILES IRS COMPLAINT AGAINST GROVER NORQUIST'S AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM
Washington, DC - Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) today filed an Internal Revenue Services (IRS) complaint against Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), and American for Tax Reform Foundation (ATR Foundation), conservative, non-profit organizations led by right-wing activist Grover Norquist. The complaint asks the IRS to investigate activities by the groups which may violate IRS regulations and require a revocation of their tax-exempt status.

The complaint alleges that Norquist used either or both ATR and ATR Foundation as commercial enterprises by laundering money derived from Indian casino clients of former lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff. The casinos made contributions to ATR, which then skimmed a fee off the top before passing the money on to former Christian activist Ralph Reed and other anti-gambling activists. In this way, Norquist, Reed and Abramoff were able to disguise the fact that the money used to fund anti-gambling activities was generated through Indian gambling. The point of the anti-gambling campaigns was to prevent competition to the Indian casinos.

Reed originally denied knowing the funds came from Indian casinos, but during hearings held by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Sen. John McCain released numerous e-mails clearly demonstrating that he did, in fact, know where the money came from. The e-mails show that Reed and Norquist worked with Abramoff to create the anti-gambling campaigns and to develop the scheme to hide the origins of the money.

The complaint also alleges that the money ATR received from the Indian casinos constitutes taxable business income because ATR was providing services unrelated to its tax-exempt purpose: to increase public awareness about the size and regulations of government and rally support for lower taxes and smaller government. Charging a fee for serving as a pass-through for money used to finance anti-gambling campaigns bears no relation to ATR's stated tax-exempt purpose.

http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/newsrelease.php?view=109

[formercia]

1. I smell RICO

Organized crime.....

[stepnw1f]

2. Yes Sir... Bust Them!

I have no doubt they are laundering money. The whole GOP is corrupt tp the core.

[texpatriot2004]

3. Thank God for CREW nm

[xchrom]

4. one of the great, great joys of my life would be to see norquist

in handcuffs.

[tanyev]

7. Can't even drown himself in the bathtub if he's in jail.

[ladjf]

15. Yes, like a neutered dog.

[bostonbabs]

5. ...Norquist scum.....getting his

and from the auditing/investigative POWER of the IRS....irony is too delicious

[Just Me]

6. It sounds like activities justifying more than merely revocation of,...

,...their tax-exempt status. :wow:

[kestrel91316]

8. You DO realize the IRS is headed by more Bush lackeys, and

absolutely nothing will come of this? Except maybe audits of the complainants' personal returns?

[EST]

12. During the course of the last five years, there were more than

five occasions that the evil empire committed such egregiously overt criminal actions that it was widely predicted, each time, that this would be the trigger that brings down the vile organization. Each time, of course, the arrogant crime bosses managed to scramble free.
Because of their slimy grasp on all the wires, the only thing that will free us from tyranny is a massive assault, on all fronts, exposing the corruption and assailing their offices. Everything that can be uncovered and attacked must be. Pile on, pile on!

[EST]

9. Bravo!

It does sound like they do have the short hair goods. I suspect that the term "laundering" was not used idly.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. Well done, chappies.

[EFerrari]

11. Oh these Conservative public servants! They should just

come with personalized cuffs.

[ThomCat]

13. Sweet.

I hope the IRS audits the hell out of them.

[kpete]

14. Watchdog’s tax status, politics are questioned

Watchdog’s tax status, politics are questioned
By Alexander Bolton

Tax experts say the activities of a controversial government watchdog group that has publicized four ethics complaints against Republican lawmakers since the beginning of this year raise red flags at a time when the IRS has renewed its focus on the political activities of tax-exempt groups.

In the past few weeks, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has filed complaints with the Senate and House ethics panels against Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas). It has filed more ethics complaints against congressional lawmakers than any other prominent advocacy group in the past two years.

CREW’s activity could draw scrutiny from the IRS, which late last month issued new guidance on political activity by 501(c)3 tax-exempt groups. CREW is such a group, which means donations to it are tax-deductible.

more at:
http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/031406/news2.html

[salin]

16. Boom!

or at least a kick and recommend.