Bernie Sanders moves $75K from campaign funds to family foundation.
OAN’s Stephanie Stahl
11:17 PM – Monday, October 23, 2023
Senator Bernie Sanders has allocated $75,000 from his campaign funds to a nonprofit run by his wife and stepson.
The Sanders Institute, established six years ago by Jane Sanders, Bernie’s wife, and David Driscoll, his stepson, aimed to serve as a “progressive think tank.”
However, the organization has raised questions due to its minimal work output, particularly in contrast to the substantial six-figure compensation received by Driscoll.
According to records from the Federal Election Commission, Senator Sanders (I-Vt.) moved tens of thousands of dollars on August 8th, labeling it as a “charitable donation.”
This financial contribution follows an earlier $200,000 grant the campaign provided to the nonprofit earlier this year.
While it may not be explicitly illegal, ethics professionals and legal experts have voiced concern about politicians directing campaign funds to family members.
They argue that this practice could potentially result in influential families benefiting financially from contributions made by donors.
The purpose behind the $75,000 transfer to the think tank remains unclear.
The inception of this think tank can be traced back to the aftermath of Sanders’ unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign. It temporarily paused operations when Sanders pursued the White House in 2020 to avoid any appearance of impropriety, as explained by Jane Sanders at the time.
The mission statement of the Sanders Institute is to “revitalize democracy by actively engaging individuals, organizations, and the media in the pursuit of progressive solutions to economic, environmental, racial and social justice issues.”
In the tax documents filed for 2022, it was revealed that Driscoll received a compensation of over $152,000 for an average of 40 hours per week, while other board members served without pay.
In April 2021, Sanders’s presidential campaign directed $350,000 to the think tank, as documented by the Federal Election Commission.
During the same year, a non-profit organization led by James M. Walton, the son of James Carr Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune and one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, also granted $350,000 to the think tank.
Together, these 2021 donations comprised 84% of the $716,000 received by the think tank during that fiscal year, according to Fox News reports.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
China and the Philippines trade accusations after a collision in the South China Sea.
One America’s Brennan Cooney has more.
U.S. congressional candidate for Virginia, Cameron Hamilton weighs in on the rising threat to national security.
Israel lays out their strategy to destroy Hamas once and for all, but questions mount over what the new government in Gaza will look like.
On Wednesday night hundreds of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators broke into the US Capitol, demanding lawmakers on both sides of the aisle pressure Israel into a ceasefire.
Elon Musk said the social media platform X will soon launch two new tiers of premium subscriptions.
Bitcoin jumped on Friday above $30,000 for first time since July, taking gains for the week past 10%.
Meta and TikTok have been given a week to provide details on measures taken to counter the spread of terrorist, violent content and hate speech on their platforms.
Netflix increased subscription prices for some streaming plans as it shattered expectations for new customers.
rnrn
How does the allocation of campaign funds to family-run nonprofits potentially allow influential families to benefit financially from political contributions
Title: Senator Bernie Sanders Allocates Campaign Funds to Family-Run Nonprofit: Concerns Over Ethical Implications
Introduction:
In a recent development, Senator Bernie Sanders has come under scrutiny for directing $75,000 from his campaign funds to a nonprofit organization run by his wife, Jane Sanders, and stepson, David Driscoll. The Sanders Institute, established as a progressive think tank, has raised questions due to its minimal work output and the substantial compensation received by Driscoll. While this practice may not be explicitly illegal, it has sparked concerns among ethics professionals and legal experts, who argue that it could lead to influential families benefiting financially from political contributions.
Background:
The Sanders Institute was founded six years ago with the aim of serving as a progressive think tank, focusing on economic, environmental, racial, and social justice issues. However, its operations have been called into question due to limited output compared to the significant compensation provided to David Driscoll. This recent allocation of $75,000 follows an earlier $200,000 grant from Sanders’ campaign to the nonprofit earlier this year, raising further concerns.
Ethical Implications:
While directing campaign funds to family members may not be illegal, it raises ethical concerns. Critics argue that such practices create the potential for influential families to benefit financially from the contributions made by donors. In this case, the purpose behind the $75,000 transfer to the think tank remains unclear, further intensifying the questions surrounding this allocation.
Compensation Discrepancy:
Tax records filed for 2022 revealed that David Driscoll received compensation of over $152,000 annually for an average of 40 hours of work per week, while other board members served without pay. This significant compensation, coupled with the limited output of the think tank, has deepened suspicions about the organization’s transparency and financial responsibility.
External Funding:
Reports from the Federal Election Commission show that in April 2021, Senator Sanders’ presidential campaign directed $350,000 to the think tank. Additionally, another nonprofit led by James M. Walton, the son of Walmart heir James Carr Walton, also granted $350,000 to the institute during the same year. These two contributions accounted for 84% of the $716,000 received by the think tank during that fiscal year, as reported by Fox News.
Conclusion:
The recent allocation of $75,000 from Bernie Sanders’ campaign funds to a nonprofit organization run by his wife and stepson has raised concerns about the ethical implications of directing campaign resources to family members. While not explicitly illegal, this practice can potentially allow influential families to benefit financially from political contributions. The compensation disparity within the Sanders Institute and the limited work output have also contributed to the skepticism surrounding the organization. As public figures, politicians must uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency to maintain the trust of the citizens they serve.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...