It appears that Sean Insanity really "IS" a crook

[leftofcool]

I think we all knew this and while this blog may have some right wingy parts, this article is a good read about old Sean and his "freedom concert" scam. He should be in prison and I hope Keith picks this up.

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/6938/sean-hannitys-freedom-concert-scam-only-7-of-charitys-money-went-to-injured-troops-kids-of-fallen-troops-g5s-g6s-for-vannity/

[leftynyc]

1. I love when the wingnuts turn on eachother

That said, what a sleazebag rasing money off the broken and dead bodies of our military so his family and friends can fly first class (which he can afford out of his own pocket). I don't watch anything on fox so I hope someone can report whether he addresses this tonight.

[LynneSin]

94. I think Debbie should meet David Brock

David Brock is the head of "Media Matters" which tracks the lies and distortions done by the right-wing screeds. Before Media Matters, David Brock was one of those right-wing screeds - he's claim to fame was the Clinton Troopergate 'scandal' (turns out it was BS) and coining the phrase against Anita Hill "A little bit nutty, a little bit slutty". When his Hillary Clinton book didn't totally rip Ms Clinto to shreds (actually it was very non-bias'd) - the right-wing turned on him.

Maybe Debbie is starting to see the light!

[bullwinkle428]

2. On Stephanie Miller's show, Chris Lavoie always tells the story about

Hannity and his ridiculous demands when it comes to making appearances for stations. Apparently, "just any private jet" is not good enough - it has to be a Gulfstream V, or he'll refuse to make the appearance. This story confirms even this little detail!! :rofl:

[wryter2000]

98. I think mamma is supposed to introduce him tonight

at his "ice cream social." I wonder if that's the event where he's supposed to be "honored."

AWKWARD! :rofl:

[gratuitous]

3. Oh dear

And they can't really shoot the messenger, because Debbie Schlussel isn't exactly Nancy Pelosi. It will be very interesting to see where this story gets any traction. Most of the outlets that wouldn't mind kicking Sean Hannity in the taint with steel-toed boots aren't going to quote Ms. Schlussel. And, judging by the comments, there are more than a few loudmouths who would rather ruin Schlussel than credit her reporting.

As some other site would say, "DEVELOPING . . ."

[tishaLA]

8. Schlussel vs. Hannity is an impossible choice

They are snowflake fuckheads: assholes in completely unique ways

[malaise]

76. This would be a great segment of KOs return show

next week.

[NJCher]

85. I sent the link to the editor of Stars & Stripes

And summarized Debbie's research. I told him the least that should be done is to tell the troops what's going on. I suggested that S&S do their own investigation or interview Debbie.


Cher

[krispos42]

115. Nice! n/t

[NJCher]

127. he responded

that he thought it was very interesting but not really the kind of story they do.

:(


Cher

[no_hypocrisy]

4. I love the part where tomorrow is the first day of the New Media Seminar and

Hannity is getting the award for his community service.

[Ken Burch]

60. When was he sentenced to it?

(oh...did you mean something ELSE?)

[Maraya1969]

93. Can you send this information to them? I tried to look them up but I got

a page full of "news media".

[bullwinkle428]

5. I just read through a bunch of the comments - most of Schlussel's

wingnut followers are totally kicking Hannity under the bus!!!



DOWN GOES HANNITY!! DOWN GOES HANNITY!!

[DeSwiss]

66. Well, almost all of them are throwing him under the bus.....

"It’s no surprise to me, I spotted Hannity as a con artist many years ago. It really should have been quite obvious all along to anyone who is actually conservative and does the slightest amount of critical thinking. I even give it an outside shot that he’s a left-wing plant with the intention of making conservatives look ridiculous and corrupt."

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/6938/sean-hannitys-freedom-concert-scam-only-7-of-charitys-money-went-to-injured-troops-kids-of-fallen-troops-g5s-g6s-for-vannity/?replytocom=241805#respond">Dave G on March 18, 2010 at 5:48 pm

- Sorry Dave, conservatives are ridiculous and corrupt. And this tool is all yours.....

[AlbertCat]

108. anyone who is actually conservative and does the slightest amount of critical thinking.

Who the hell would that be????


I suppose just throwing a complete guess like "He's a LIBRUL PLANT! to make us look bad!" passes for critical thinking.... the slightest amount.

[monmouth]

6. Thanks for posting this. It really does need to go viral. Keith will

love it..

[Vinnie From Indy]

7. WOW !!!!!

It is hard to believe that Hannity could be a bigger scumbag than he is in public. This behind the scenes theft is just mind-boggling! I wonder what all the artists that paid their own way to these gigs are going to have to say about it.

As bad as Debbie is, good for her! It is quite enjoyable to watch the right wingers go at it!

[alfredo]

14. Wasn't it Hannity that confessed that he's only doing

his right wing crap for the money?

[CubicleGuy]

44. It's possible...

... that Hannity has confessed to doing it only for the money, but I think it's more likely that it's Rush you're thinking of. Rush has made no bones over the years that his whole purpose in life is to create an entertainment vehicle that can charge "confiscatory" advertising rates.

[alfredo]

52. Whatever their motives, they are scum

[Wapsie B]

105. I've always wondered how many of these rwing ass-clowns really believe what they're saying

and how many are simply harvesting $$$ from this fertile rwing ground? TV preachers learned about this weakness amongst the righties long ago.

[alfredo]

111. It's called fleecing the flock. I had a friend who was raised

by an evangelist. Whenever he needed money, he'd sober up, clean up, and hit the revival circuit. He knew the bible, and he knew how to wring money out of the suckers.

[tsstranger]

82. Scam Concerts

I've been trying to get someone to look into this scam for a few years now.

As far as I know, Hannity hasn't said that 100% of the money goes to the charity, he says "NET proceeds" which is vastly different.

Don't forget that Oliver North is neck deep in this, as well.

[Canuckistanian]

9. "a charity that makes gazillions and spends very little for the purposes it claims"

I knew it. I KNEW Sean Hannity was dirty. Shit, even Ollie North told him to knock it off.

They ALL have their vices and dirty little secrets. ALL of them.

[Supersedeas]

25. they don't pass the smell test

[tsstranger]

84. North?

When did Oliver North get honor? He's as deep in this as Hannity.

[alp227]

10. Therefore, Sean Hannity can no longer credibly attack ACORN

if his Freedom Concert is really a total scam.

[Lorien]

11. He's stooped so low that he needs shoes for his earlobes. nt

[louis-t]

12. Hey, it's the only way puggies agree to do 'charity'.

If they can benefit personally.

[Cass]

13. Damn con artist, even Ollie North told Hannity to knock it off.

Maybe Billo will investigate this just like he investigated the 9-11 charities. I won't hold my breath.

People who are donating to his so-called charity need to know what this jerk is doing with the money.

[Vinnie From Indy]

15. I wonder if that dumbass Charlie Daniels knows he is being played for a rube

The Schussel piece indicates that these bands have been footing their own bills to play at these events. Suckers!

[rufus dog]

30. dumb ass Charlie wouldn't get any press if it wasn't for asshat

[Grand Taurean]

36. The Inbred Charlie Daniels will chose to not believe this.

The Inbred Charlie Daniels deeply admires the bigted/racist Jerry Falwell as a paragon of "Christian" virtue.

[Enthusiast]

81. Charlie Daniels

is a bigot asshole lowlife creep, just like the rest.

[AlbertCat]

110. My friend used to make clothes for him & the band.

He IS a hayseed Christian dumbfuck and his wife smokes quantities of pot...according to my friend. All I know is it is amazing he can skate on one lousy stupid song for so many decades. If I ever hear it again, it will be too soon. Lame!

[Enthusiast]

120. "Chicken in the bread pan

pickin' out dough."

Like heavy, man.

[DemoTex]

16. Oliver North takes Hannity to woodshed! Bwaa haa haa!

And the Gulfstream-5: I wonder if it was Limbaugh's. Do Hannity and Ru$h get along?


Limbaugh's G-5

[11 Bravo]

24. Did Limbaugh take a particularly noxious dump, or is that Mark Levine next to him?

[DemoTex]

26. Yes, and yes it is.

[CubicleGuy]

45. Careful photo analysis reveals...

... that, yes, it's just Mark Levine. But it certainly wasn't immediately obvious.

[certainot]

57. hannity has no choice but to kiss rush's ass and rush wouldn't have it any other way

and rush always gets first dibs on all the heritage foundation's talking points.

[blogslut]

17. May this scandal grow sturdy legs

Somehow I just can't imagine that man making an "I've wronged you" confessional speech. He'll find a way to blame anyone but himself.

[tsstranger]

83. Blame?

Hannity will find a way to blame Clinton.

Clinton got blown, you know.

[ericinne]

92. What??

No way, he'll blame Obama.

[FormerDittoHead]

100. I know what he's going to say - OBAMA'S BEHIND THE ATTACK.

No question.

"So I asked myself, why would anyone attack someone who is giving so much of their time to helping the troops?

And the answer became clear.

Who is most THREATENED by the good works that we're doing,? Who wants to STOP us helping the thousands upon thousands of people we're helping every day? Whose whole WORLD would come CRASHING DOWN if someone out here in the private sector could PROVE that we don't NEED gov't and more control of our lives to solve our problems?

LIBERALS.

And who is the most powerful leftest pro-big-government liberal out there? OBAMA."

[joycean]

18. This might gain traction, if

it weren't being reported by Debbie Schlussel. A homophobe and all around nut-job, no one has done more to discredit Debbie Schlussel than Debbie Schlussel.

[Pharaoh]

113. Lets shoot the messenger!

:eyes:

[randr]

19. If this had been true of any newscaster ourside of faux

it would be viral and 24/7 until the perp resigned.

[cbdo2007]

20. Keith or John Stewart or Matt Taibbi (sp?) - Somebody's got to give this some press

This is horrible.

It's bad enough that his salary is probably $5-10 Million per year but then for him to make money off of his charity on top of that is criminal.

[demtenjeep]

22. Rachael would do this justice

send it to her

[progressoid]

21. Gotta pay for those trips to the Bunny Ranch somehow...

[dashrif]

63. why not

when your not a kid disney just dont do it anymore :hi:

[fasttense]

78. Are you sure that's the bunny ranch? They look like the Fox News girls.n/t

[progressoid]

107. You're right. I think the one in the middle photo is Gretta Van Susteren

:toast:

[AlbertCat]

112. About those bunny pics!

Ewwwww!!! Heterosexuals are just plain gross!


Ok, I kid.... but cheesus! What a trashy scene!

[Grassy Knoll]

114. Great pictures of a Great Christian....

:sarcasm:

[lpbk2713]

23. He's a great American ... ROFLMAO

:puke:


He's just like all the other RW Hatemongers. Spews out the lies and venom while he stuffs his wallet.

[cbdo2007]

27. Here's another article from way back in 2007 on KOS calling it all a scam....

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/6/6165/93743

With much of the same information. Was this not researched back then? If not it would be stupid for them to actually be giving out LESS now then after this first hit the fan.

Also, that article points out that "Freedom Alliance" and "Freedom Alliance Scolarship Fund" are actually two separate things, though the scolarship fund is run by the Freedom Alliance. The FA is really a super conservative group looking to stop large government and liberals - which completely explains the Million$$$ of $$$ of printing and mailing dollars spent.

Don't know what to think but can't wait to hear from Hannity on this. I even just went to FR to see their reaction and many of them are jumping on him as well.

[Mnpaul]

35. It's a PAC

doing a tax dodge by claiming to be a charity. Read their mission statement.
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/freedomalliancetaxes2006.pdf Page 23

[upi402]

49. $14.5 Million in assets, $9.5 Million income for the year

These people are the same types that would spend $180,000 to eliminate a $32,000 a year job. Thanks for posting that.

[jgraz]

28. I couldn't get past the pic on the top of the page. Damn, somebody had major work done.

Too bad the ugly goes to the bone in her case.

On edit: Schwang wang wang...

[UTUSN]

29. PROUD to be an American K&R-er, #34 !1 n/t

[arcadian]

31. I posted this on my Facebook feed

If you use Facebook you should do it also, I have more thana few rightwinger former schoolmates and family members.

[a la izquierda]

91. ooh, ooh, me too!

including several who love hannity and one who works for Fox.

[aquart]

116. Good idea. So do I.

[PA Democrat]

32. You can check out their IRS Form 990 from this link at Schlussel's website.

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/freedomalliance2008taxform.pdf

About $19 million of the $48 million collected has been invested by the group. However, at the rate they are spending money it looks like very little of that will get into the hands of vets or their survivors in the future.

[NYC_SKP]

33. Less than 4% when to the people who were supposed to benefit. LESS THAN 4%...

According to its 2006 tax returns, Freedom Alliance reported revenue of $10,822,785.

But only $397,900–or a beyond-measly 3.68%–of that was given to the children of fallen troops as scholarships or as aid to severely injured soldiers.

3.68%

[slampoet]

34. Hannity Ripped off home owners in Rhode Island when he had a painting biz here

Word on the street is he stepped on one too many toes and HAD to leave RI.

[demtenjeep]

37. and some quack Dave g says Hannity is a LW plant to make the RW look crazy. WTF?? Bwahah

It’s no surprise to me, I spotted Hannity as a con artist many years ago. It really should have been quite obvious all along to anyone who is actually conservative and does the slightest amount of critical thinking. I even give it an outside shot that he’s a left-wing plant with the intention of making conservatives look ridiculous and corrupt.

Dave G on March 18, 2010 at 5:48 pm

[DainBramaged]

38. 3.68% went to actually HELP those in need, keep that in perspective

when the gravy train pulls into the station, you can be sure some Wingnut will be on board..........

Freedom Alliance spent $1,730,816 on postage and shipping and $1,414,215 on printing, for a total of $3,145,031, nearly half the revenue the charity spent that year and about eight times what the injured troops and the children of fallen ones received.

[gmoney]

39. The only downside to Hannity falling hard over this...

...is Glenn Beck will rise to take his place and coveted time slots. (I think most Rush markets have Hannity on right afterward, so if Hannity has to step down, that lets Beck on 3-6 on the radio, and pushes his show into the evening spot on Fox.)

[CubicleGuy]

46. It's just a matter of time...

... before Beck self-destructs. I'm getting vibes of desperation from him already. The pressure of having to do a daily show targeted at nutjobs will eventually take its toll.

[dashrif]

64. It may

have been a beckpedo :tinfoilhat: :rofl:

[TheCowsCameHome]

87. One piece at a time is how you dismantle these people.

[LongTomH]

40. Hannity is a crook! And this is news? How?

:rofl:

[Zambero]

41. Pawn Scammity

Veterans and their families thank you for nothing, pond scum.

[Optimistic]

42. Cover Up

Fox will cover this up as will all of Fox owned media outlets, Only MSNBC will cover this, Maybe Jack Cafferty will bring it up on CNN

[walldude]

43. This kind of scam is quite popular among the rich...

I used to do lighting for parties and I can't tell you how many gigs I worked for rich people where they would spend a few million dollars on a lavish party and pat themselves on the back for raising $50,000 for charity. It's pathetic.

[1776Forever]

47. DailyKos posting from 2007 says it was a scam! Check it out!

Hannity's "Freedom" concert is a money scam
by davefromqueens

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/6/6165/93743

Sean Hannity claims that his concerts are "to benefit the freedom alliance scholarship fund for the children of America's Military heroes featuring Country Music Stars Montgomery Gentry, Leann Rimes, and Lee Greenwood." A closer looks at the facts tell a different story.

davefromqueens's diary ::
.........

Now I'm being very tricky because you are probably saying to yourself that the piker Hannity only gives 8% of concert receipts to the families of soldiers. And you would be wrong. The number is less than 1% as you'll see later on.

.............

Wonder why it didn't go anywhere then? This is the first I heard about it - hmmm.

[Marr]

48. Is anyone even a little surprised at this?

The man tells lies for money. It's not surprising that he'd steal from people who he must view suckers and sheep.

[upi402]

50. 403 forbidden, any copy&pasters ready?

Bad link, or???

[certainot]

58. same here

[bbgrunt]

51. wow, I get a "forbidden"; you are not allowed to access that site on this server--wtf?

[bullwinkle428]

53. I got the same message!! I was able to access it this afternoon, though.

Apparently, the tentacles of the Hannibots have a long reach!

[cbdo2007]

54. Here is a blog about that other blog....

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201003190002

so it has some of the info, but yeah it appears the original page was shut down "mysteriously"....

[bbgrunt]

59. thanks for the link!

[Loudmxr]

55. I was just talking about the "proceeds" of Hannity's books going to charity the other night.

I said "He meant profits. That would mean he gets paid as the writer before any profits are made then the money goes to charity. So he gets the writers payday and the extra royalty goes to his charity and he ain't hurting."

Well now...... this post puts an entirely different spin on it.

I have often played a game called "Patriot or Royalist". Would you be or argue that someone famous would be a Patriot or a loyal subject of the crown during the American revolution.(Ron Reagan-patriot Ronald Reagan- Royalist) There is a third option... "I don't care as long as I make money," Rush Limbaugh is the perfect example. Now we add Sean Hannity.

Oh BTW Dennis Prager is a Theocratic Royalist. He would have been scared of Catholic France and Catholic Spain the two rival imperial powers of the day. That's because the Mass in Latin has something about the Jews in it. Blaming Jews converting Jews... I never knew about it until Pope Benny wanted to bring the old Latin Mass back and Jews all around the world went crazy...with good reason. There's nothing like a little anti-semitism mixed in with traditional rituals to Fup years of progress in interfaith communications.:crazy:

[lonestarnot]

56. That thing gives me the creeps and now I know why, the most vile of vile to exploit

children and vets alike. Creepy slytherine.

[Submariner]

61. What a total flaming SCUMBAG

So just what everyone expected all along. Our favorite white supremacist is a class "A" CROOK. This should end him...and soon.

[madrchsod]

62. looks like debbie is going after shit pants teddy nugent...

check out "what debbie is reading"...

[DeSwiss]

65. I love to see wingnut-on-wingnut.....

...blood on the floor. And that tool Sean Hannity is a major turd sandwich I would like to see frog-marching in a orange jumpsuit for tax-evasion or something similarly unpatriotic. But robbing veteran orphans is something that is more despicable than I even thought he was capable of.

- Just when you think this pond scum can't get any lower, they prove me wrong......

K&R

[upi402]

67. here, in case this site goes '403 Forbidden' too

"Conservative blogger accuses Hannity of deceptive fundraising practices

March 19, 2010 12:22 am ET by Jamison Foser

I'm hesitant to take anything Debbie Schlussel says seriously, given her track record. That rather large disclaimer aside, Schlussel has posted what is, on its face, a potentially damaging investigation of Sean Hannity and the Freedom Alliance charity. Given the public statements by New York Times and Washington Post editors about the need to be more responsive to stories developed on conservative web sites, you have to wonder if they'll look into this:

For the last several years, Sean Hannity and the Freedom Alliance "charity" have conducted "Freedom Concerts" across America. They've told you that they are raising money to pay for the college tuition of the children of fallen soldiers and to pay severely wounded war vets. And on Friday Night, Hannity will be honored with an award for this "Outstanding Community Service by a Radio Talk Show Host" at Talkers Magazine's convention.

But it's all a huge scam.

In fact, less than 20%-and in two recent years, less than 7% and 4%, respectively-of the money raised by Freedom Alliance went to these causes, while millions of dollars went to expenses, including consultants and apparently to ferret the Hannity posse of family and friends in high style. And, despite Hannity's statements to the contrary on his nationally syndicated radio show, few of the children of fallen soldiers got more than $1,000-$2,000, with apparently none getting more than $6,000, while Freedom Alliance appears to have spent tens of thousands of dollars for private planes. Moreover, despite written assurances to donors that all money raised would go directly to scholarships for kids of the fallen heroes and not to expenses, has begun charging expenses of nearly $500,000 to give out just over $800,000 in scholarships.

Schlussel then summarized Freedom Alliance's revenues and expenses for several years. For example:

According to its 2006 tax returns, Freedom Alliance reported revenue of $10, 822, 785, but only $397,900-or a beyond-measly 3.68%-of that was given to the children of fallen troops as scholarships or as aid to severely injured soldiers.

Those numbers check out (pdf). But Freedom Alliance's mission is broader than scholarships and aid to injured soldiers (a fact Schlussel overlooks), so it's certainly possible that it is spending an appropriate proportion of its revenues to advance that mission. But Schlussel doesn't merely criticize the charity's disbursements; she also contends the Freedom Alliance's fundraising practices have been deceptive:

And then, there are the 2008 Freedom Alliance tax forms, which were signed in November 2009 and filed only recently. That year, Freedom Alliance took in $8,781,431 in revenue and gave $1,060,275.57 total-or just 12%-to seriously wounded soldiers and for scholarships to kids of the fallen. Remember, this is well below the 75% required to be considered a legitimate charity. And after claiming in written letters to donors that 100% of the money donated, via the Freedom Concerts or otherwise, to the scholarships would go directly to the scholarships and not to expenses, the Freedom Alliance decided to do the contrary and charge expenses anyway-charging a whopping $436,386 to give out $802,250 in scholarships. That means that 35% of the $1,238,636-all of which was supposed to go to scholarships for these kids of the fallen-went to Freedom Alliance.

Unfortunately, Schlussel doesn't provide any documentation for the assertion that Freedom Alliance claimed in writing that 100 percent of donated funds would go to scholarships, so we don't know if it's true.

Schlussel's characterizations assertions need to be taken with more than a grain of salt -- they require an entire salt lick, at least. But her numbers seem to check out. If her assertions that Hannity has made false claims in raising money for the charity are also true, that would be scandalous.

Editors at The New York Times and the Washington Post have said in recent months that their papers need to do a better job of picking up on stories right-wing web sites are pushing. Schlussel's investigation into Hannity and Freedom Alliance would seem like a good place for the Post and Times to do some digging -- unless, of course, they only intend to follow up on conservative attacks on liberals."

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201003190002

[pundaint]

68. Yeah, how much time did Rush do?

It's not like he's interested in improving the lot of the People or some fascist thing like that. (yes, I know I said fascist)

[opihimoimoi]

69. It WAS All about the $$$$$$$$...wasn't it Sean???? for 30 pieces he sold his Reasoning/ and Sanity

and became a BOUGHT DUDE....only the Leash is Missing

[Scurrilous]

70. K & R

:thumbsup:

[WCGreen]

71. Perhaps it is time for th eIRS to take a peak at this charity....

I'v seen them run people to jail for less...

[tosh]

75. You are so right.

No 501(c)3 should be allowed to get away with this kind of crap.

Beyond disgusting.

[j420norcal]

72. Thank You

I knew if I stayed up late enough I'd find something to put a smile on my face before I went to bed...

Goodnight.

[era veteran]

73. A cheap grifter

Sean, that is the very worst kind of war profiteering you pig.

[twitomy]

74. Taking advantage of the soldiers AND the people who

want to help..disgusting....

[ProdigalJunkMail]

77. while the expenses might be pretty high

there is a nearly $10million scholarship fund and other investments held by the trust...this is NOT a smoking gun...there is nothing to investigate.

sP

[Douglas Carpenter]

79. kick and recommend!!! This needs to go viral!!!

Keep in mind that a charity is considered reputable if no more than 25% of its revenue goes to expenses and no less than 75% of it goes to the intended charity recipients. Given that, Freedom Alliance’s balance sheets are embarrassing in their shamelessness.

According to its 2006 tax returns, Freedom Alliance reported revenue of $10, 822, 785, but only $397,900–or a beyond-measly 3.68%–of that was given to the children of fallen troops as scholarships or as aid to severely injured soldiers.

On the other hand, 62% of the money went to “expenses,” including $979,485 for “consultants” and an “advisor.” Yes, consultant/advisors got more than double what injured troops and the kids of fallen troops got. The tax forms show that “New World Aviation” got paid $60,601 for “air travel.” Was that for Hannity’s G5? Like I said, neither the charity nor Hannity is talking. And finally, that year, Freedom Alliance spent $1,730,816 on postage and shipping and $1,414,215 on printing, for a total of $3,145,031, nearly half the revenue the charity spent that year and about eight times what the injured troops and the children of fallen ones received.

That’s especially heartbreaking when you compare the hundreds of thousands consultants got and the millions spent on printing and postage to the outrageously small amounts given to wounded soldiers. In 2006, Freedom Alliance gave only $1,000 to a soldier from Bay City, Michigan, whom the charity says was in the following condition:

Face was blown up and lost sight in one eye.

And that $1,000 was relatively generous, when you consider this soldier from Romulus, Michigan, whom Freedom Alliance only gave $200:

.....

And then, there are the 2008 Freedom Alliance tax forms, which were signed in November 2009 and filed only recently. That year, Freedom Alliance took in $8,781,431 in revenue and gave $1,060,275.57 total–or just 12%–to seriously wounded soldiers and for scholarships to kids of the fallen. Remember, this is well below the 75% required to be considered a legitimate charity. And after claiming in written letters to donors that 100% of the money donated, via the Freedom Concerts or otherwise, to the scholarships would go directly to the scholarships and not to expenses, the Freedom Alliance decided to do the contrary and charge expenses anyway–charging a whopping $436,386 to give out $802,250 in scholarships. That means that 35% of the $1,238,636–all of which was supposed to go to scholarships for these kids of the fallen–went to Freedom Alliance.

Freedom Alliance spent $5,375,654–or 61% of its total revenue earned in 2008–on expenses, but actually 80% of the total revenue spent and given out for that year. That includes $1,055,791 spent on postage and $925,392 on printing. It spent $157,041 on travel. Is this the item that includes the money for the alleged Sean Hannity Gulfstream flights? Like I said, neither the charity nor Hannity will answer questions

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/6938/sean-hannitys-freedom-concert-scam-only-7-of-charitys-money-went-to-injured-troops-kids-of-fallen-troops-g5s-g6s-for-vannity/

[Enthusiast]

80. How could he

be any other way? I mean, to spew the constant stream of lies and attacks like he does he has to be the lowest of the low. A real creep, just like Beck, Rove, O'Rilly and the rest.

[TheCowsCameHome]

86. Hannity is such a smug dirtbag.

I hope this ruins his hate-filled career.

[bridgit]

88. With a pimp like Murdoch how could Hannity be otherwise?

[Technodaoist]

89. wowsers

I mean, if Ollie North has to tell you to slow your roll, then you've gone so far past the line you can't see it over the horizon...

[mwb970]

90. I'm surprised Hannity hasn't been caught at something until now.

The guy is such a dunderhead, he'd never have the smarts to pull off a scam he could get away with.

BTW, I was surprised to read the comments about this charity ripoff on FR. It turns out that a lot of Freeps are sick of Hannity and never listen to his show. Some said he was stupid!

[LynneSin]

95. $1.4million on Postage & Shipping - what is he doing? Sending Rush Limbaugh overnight somewhere?

I realize that postage is NOT cheap but that seems a bit excessive if you ask me. I mean has Hannity heard of the Internet - get these folks on email!

[Joanne98]

99. LOL Good one!

[peacetalksforall]

96. It would be great if a DUer took this data and put it in a pie visual, adding a

qualifier about the source, of course. Or find another source, also.

To add to it - someone could take the image of Hannity and place the pie graphs over his face, use as many pies as needed, and rotate them. And, alternately, show his smiling face.

[Joanne98]

97. Whoa!

In February 2009, a well-known conservative writer sent me this, about a friend at FOX News:

The guy went on to tell me about Hannity’s “Freedom Concerts,” which are staged across the country with the proceeds going to children of slain soldiers. Of course, as the guy tells it, there’d be a lot more money every concert to go to the cause if Hannity didn’t demand–and get–use of a Gulfstream 5 plane to fly him and his family/entourage to the concerts; a “fleet” (that’s the word the guy used) of either Cadillac or Lincoln SUVs for him and his family/entourage; and several suites at really expensive hotels for him and his family/entourage. The promoter apparently values Hannity’s star demands at well over $200,000 per event. The source says he heard that Oliver North pulled Hannity aside at one of the concerts and told him that this had to stop. But that may mean that, from now on, Hannity has to fly on a G4 instead of a G5, gets only a few luxury SUVs, and two or three suites.

North is the founder and honorary chairman of Freedom Alliance.

I began investigating these claims, and lo and behold, I discovered that Freedom Alliance gives very little money to the children of slain troops to pay for college and even less to wounded troops. The stories of injuries to troops and how much Freedom Alliance gives them–$200 for a soldier from a poor neighborhood who lost three limbs–is heartbreaking. Soldiers with traumatic brain injuries, severe wounds to the face from disfiguring burns and explosions, and multiple amputations got $1,000 or less, with only a handful of exceptions.

The tax forms available to the public for the Freedom Alliance–for the years 2006-2008–paint a tragic story, a story of a charity that makes gazillions and spends very little for the purposes it claims, a charity that spends millions more on its small staff and crony consultants than it ever gives in scholarships to the children of the fallen or severely injured troops or in aid to the injured troops themselves. While Hannity’s Freedom Concerts take in millions, only a few hundred thousand go to the claimed intended recipients.

[JawJaw]

101. Relax People!

I'm sure Fox will apply the same rigourous and snarky investigation of Hannity's charity as they did with Wyclef Jean's a couple of months ago...

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/01/16/watchdogs-raise-doubts-wyclef-jeans-charity/


They wrote the book on "Fair and Balanced", after all..

[Blue Owl]

102. Lying: check. Cheating: check. Stealing: check.

Well whaddya know -- it's the GOP trifecta!

[Blue Owl]

103. Lying: check. Cheating: check. Stealing: check.

Well whaddya know -- it's the GOP trifecta!

[Jefferson23]

104. I don't find Debbie a credible source, yet, this should be looked at more closely.

From the website, Hannity has more concerts scheduled. And these entertainers are charging to appear??

I find that odd, and how much are they paid, perhaps only the crews take a fee?
The upcoming schedule:

https://freedomconcerts.com/




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.

[Douglas Carpenter]

106. another kick

[Tommy_Carcetti]

109. But what then becomes of Biomechanical Hannity...

...and his mystical, magical lazer arm?

[YOY]

118. Is that from the fabled "Conservative Comic Book" that I heard about?

I could never tell if it was satire or frighteningly real.

[athenasatanjesus]

117. Debbie Schlussel may be a wing nut...

but ive noticed she seems pretty honest she calls out other conservatives for BS all the time,so while I think she's crazier then most on the right i'll take her insanity over the pure evil that many prominent wing nuts exhibit.

[SacredCow]

119. The Freepers are clawing each others' eyes out over it....

Sad that so much money intended for the troops' families was diverted to feed an egomaniac's greed.

[Douglas Carpenter]

121. another kick...THIS MUST GO VIRAL!!!

[PBass]

122. Kicked and recommended

If there is any justice in this world, Hannity will be tarred and feathered for this. All the money he makes from Fox News, and he still can't pay for his own golf outings and steak dinners?

[pleah]

123. K&R

[Bozita]

124. Rachel should invite Ms. Schlussel to her show.

[Douglas Carpenter]

125. kick and recommend!!! This needs to go viral!!!

[lutefisk]

126. It would be interesting to hear him explain this

All those female fans will probably think this dangerous, criminal side just makes him that much sexier. I don't think his brood of gullibles will be affected by charges like this. After all, Hannity is part of the "Conservative Underground" and the Democrats are always out to get him...

He is scum.

[Douglas Carpenter]

128. another last kick...this is a story that MUST get around everywhere