Watchdogs Urge IRS to Investigate “Dark Money” Group

Share:

In partnership with:
January 16, 2013
by
Kim Barker
Emma Schwartz

Two campaign finance watchdog groups urged the IRS on Wednesday to investigate whether the nonprofit Western Tradition Partnership submitted false information to obtain its social welfare status in 2008.

Democracy 21 and the Campaign Legal Center cited reporting done by ProPublica and FRONTLINE that showed the group claimed it would not participate in elections in its IRS application, even though it had already spent money on elections.

The two watchdog groups also cited reporting that showed Western Tradition Partnership, now known as American Tradition Partnership, asked the IRS to expedite its request for tax-exempt status because otherwise, its major donor would pull funding. That alleged donor, Jake Jabs, told ProPublica and FRONTLINE that he never pledged money to the group, and bank records that were later released revealed no donations from Jabs.

Read a copy of the watchdogs’  letter to the IRS (PDF), and learn more about ProPublica and FRONTLINE’s investigation here.

Kim Barker

Emma Schwartz

Emma Schwartz, Producer & Reporter

Twitter:

@emmanator

The Trust Project Journalistic Standards

In order to foster a civil and literate discussion that respects all participants, FRONTLINE has the following guidelines for commentary. By submitting comments here, you are consenting to these rules:

Readers' comments that include profanity, obscenity, personal attacks, harassment, or are defamatory, sexist, racist, violate a third party's right to privacy, or are otherwise inappropriate, will be removed. Entries that are unsigned or are "signed" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. We reserve the right to not post comments that are more than 400 words. We will take steps to block users who repeatedly violate our commenting rules, terms of use, or privacy policies. You are fully responsible for your comments.

blog comments powered by Disqus

More Stories

Screen Shot 2022-08-15 at 10.00.19 AM
18 Essential Documentaries on Afghanistan and the Taliban
One year after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan amid the U.S. withdrawal, watch these documentaries that reveal what life in the country is like now and that offer context on the nearly two-decade war that became America's longest.
August 15, 2022
healthcare-for-women-in-afghanistan-under-taliban
What’s the Status of Healthcare for Women in Afghanistan Under the Taliban?
Before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, many women and girls were already struggling to receive adequate healthcare. A year later, the situation has worsened, sources told FRONTLINE.
August 9, 2022
afghan-women-taliban-prison-afghanistan-undercover-video-thumbnail
‘Say to the Whole World, They Don’t Let Us Talk’: Women Held for ‘Immoral Behavior’ at a Taliban Prison Speak Out
In the FRONTLINE documentary ‘Afghanistan Undercover,’ Ramita Navai reports the Taliban has jailed women for ‘immoral behavior’ and held them without trial. Watch an excerpt.
August 9, 2022
TheShahs
The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout
In February 2021, days-long blackouts in Texas left millions shivering in the dark. Hundreds died. How has the Texas grid changed since then? And how has it changed how people think?
August 4, 2022
Show more

Next on Frontline

How a partisan war for the Supreme Court culminated in Amy Coney Barrett’s controversial nomination. From left to right: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Credit: From left to right: Aaron Bernstein/REUTERS; Claire Anderson/Unsplash; POOL New/REUTERS

Supreme Revenge: Battle for the Court

August 23, 2022 // 53m
FRONTLINE traces how Mitch McConnell’s decades-long strategy to reshape the Supreme Court led to Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation.