Democrat Senator ‘Created’ Loophole for $125K Over Limit, ‘Nonprofit’ Under Investigation – Report

Democratic Senator Raphael‍ Warnock Accused⁤ of Earning Excessive Outside Income

According⁢ to The Washington Free Beacon, Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia is facing scrutiny for earning more outside income than Senate rules allow. However, Warnock maintains that everything is⁤ above board.

In his most recent financial disclosure form, Warnock reported​ earning $155,000 from Ebenezer ‍Baptist ‍Church in Atlanta. This amount ‍far exceeds the Senate’s limit of about $30,000, as⁢ highlighted by The Free Beacon.

Warnock argues that the payment was deferred ⁤compensation ⁢for work he did with the church before being sworn into the Senate in January 2021. However, The Free Beacon’s Andrew Kerr describes this claim‌ as “entirely fabricated,” asserting that any money owed to Warnock should have been reported in his 2021 financial ⁤disclosure form.

NEW: Raphael Warnock used ‌a sketchy accounting loophole ⁢to evade outside income limits in 2022.

He ⁣claimed $125k in “deferred compensation” for work he did for his church before 2021.

There’s just one problem: The arrangement seems entirely fabricated.https://t.co/28Q5s4d01G

— ⁤Andrew Kerr (@AndrewKerrNC) August 22, 2023

The Free Beacon also examined the financial⁤ statements of the church and​ found ‍no mention of any such payment for either 2020 or 2021. Kendra Arnold,⁢ executive director of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, expressed concerns about ​the ⁢arrangement, ⁢stating⁤ that if the payment was inaccurately reported and actually earned after Warnock ⁣became⁤ a⁤ senator, it would violate the outside earned income limit and potentially involve filing false information on a personal financial disclosure.

This is not the first time Warnock’s financial ‍practices have come under scrutiny. In 2021, The Free Beacon reported that Warnock used a “creative accounting trick” by designating a portion of his church ‌income as a⁢ “parsonage allowance” to maintain his home. Neither Warnock nor Ebenezer⁢ Baptist Church has responded to requests for comment from The Free Beacon.

The findings have prompted calls for an investigation. This would be‌ the ‌second investigation involving the church and Warnock, as Georgia Secretary of ⁣State ⁤Brad‍ Raffensperger ⁣previously looked into‍ the Ebenezer Building Foundation’s nonprofit status for failing to register as a charitable organization.

Warnock’s financial disclosure forms reveal that in⁣ 2022, his‍ total income amounted ⁣to $996,000, with $174,000 coming from his congressional salary. Additionally, he earned $656,000 from book royalties, which are not subject to⁤ Senate limits.

For more ⁤information,‍ read the full article on The Western Journal.