Watchdog: Democratic candidates likely received illegal payments from Marc Elias-linked group
Left-wing Group Linked to Democratic Superlawyer Accused of Violating Federal Law
A complaint filed by the conservative Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust alleges that the American Mainstream Policy Leadership Institute (AMPLI), a group associated with Democratic superlawyer Marc Elias, has violated federal law. The complaint, submitted to the Federal Election Commission, calls for an immediate investigation into whether AMPLI made illegal contributions to federal candidates. The Foundation heavily relies on a January report from the Washington Examiner, which revealed that AMPLI is a fellowship project at a newly-formed charity in Washington, D.C., aimed at providing financial support to Democratic congressional hopefuls between election runs.
Challenging the Status Quo
Kendra Arnold, executive director of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, emphasizes the public’s dissatisfaction with career politicians who are disconnected from everyday Americans. She argues that the AMPLI fellowship allows individuals to become full-time politicians in an illegal manner, eliminating the need for candidates to understand and earn the trust of the American people. Arnold urges the FEC to swiftly investigate and take appropriate action to ensure transparency in political leadership.
AMPLI’s Evolution and Purpose
In January, the Washington Examiner reported that AMPLI is now housed at Our American Future Foundation, having previously been a project of New Politics Leadership Academy. Our American Future Foundation advocates for progressive voters’ interests through public advocacy. AMPLI offers fellows the opportunity to engage in research, policy development, and white papers, as well as attend meetings. Financial disclosures reveal that paid fellows in 2023 included Democratic House candidates Will Rollins, Josh Riley, Tony Vargas, Laura Gillen, and Kirsten Engel.
Watchdog’s Concerns
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust highlights comments made by New Politics founder Amy Cherniack in 2020, suggesting that fellows were paid to cover personal expenses during their downtime between election runs. The watchdog points out that previous fellows, such as Gina Ortiz Jones, received substantial payments from AMPLI but were unsuccessful in their congressional campaigns. The complaint argues that AMPLI’s fellowship is directly tied to federal candidacy and not genuine independent employment.
AMPLI’s Response
AMPLI denies the allegations, stating that the claims are baseless. According to a spokesperson for AMPLI, none of the fellows were candidates for office during their association with the organization, and the majority of paid fellows did not go on to become federal candidates.
In the past, tax experts have raised concerns about whether New Politics violated its charity status by compensating individuals who later ran for federal office. However, the FEC dismissed a complaint in 2022 alleging that a candidate was paid to run for Congress by Democratic groups, including New Politics.
Read more from the Washington Examiner: Left-wing group linked to Democratic superlawyer accused of violating federal law
What implications could the Federal Election Commission’s review of the complaint against AMPLI have on the broader conversation about campaign finance reform and the integrity of the political process
Ure, a newly-formed charity in Washington, D.C. Our American Future was created with the purpose of supporting Democratic candidates between election runs. According to the complaint filed by the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, AMPLI’s involvement with Our American Future raises concerns about potential violations of federal law governing contributions to federal candidates.
The Foundation’s complaint points to a January report by the Washington Examiner, which revealed the existence of AMPLI and its ties to prominent Democratic superlawyer Marc Elias. The report stated that AMPLI provides financial support to Democratic congressional hopefuls, allowing them to dedicate their time fully to politics without the responsibility of holding office or campaigning. This sets AMPLI apart from the traditional approach to politics, where candidates campaign, win elections, and serve their constituents.
The Foundation argues that this fellowship program undermines the democratic process by allowing individuals to become full-time politicians without having to earn the trust and support of the American people through election campaigns. The complaint alleges that AMPLI’s financial support may have constituted illegal contributions to federal candidates, breaching federal law.
Kendra Arnold, the executive director of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, highlights the public’s discontent with career politicians who seem disconnected from the daily lives of ordinary Americans. She argues that the AMPLI fellowship program exacerbates this issue by providing a shortcut to political leadership without the need to understand and serve the needs of constituents. Arnold urges the Federal Election Commission to investigate the allegations promptly and take appropriate action to preserve the transparency and integrity of political leadership.
The complaint filed by the Foundation comes at a time of increasing scrutiny on campaign financing and the influence of money in politics. With accusations of illegal contributions and potential violations of federal law, the allegations against AMPLI and its association with Marc Elias raise important questions about the fairness and legality of the political process.
As the Federal Election Commission reviews the complaint and decides whether to launch an investigation, the outcome could have significant implications for both AMPLI and the broader conversation about campaign finance reform. The public will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and whether any action is taken to address the concerns raised by the complaint.
In the pursuit of a transparent and accountable political system, it is crucial that potential violations of federal law are thoroughly investigated and addressed. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of our democratic processes and ensuring that all candidates and organizations comply with the laws governing political contributions. Only through adherence to these fundamental principles can we strive for a truly representative and fair political system.
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