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MinM

(2,650 posts)
Thu Oct 8, 2015, 05:24 AM Oct 2015

Group: IRS should probe shadowy pro-Schuette spending

Washington group says Schuette-supporting Michigan Advocacy Trust skirted law, files complaint with IRS

WASHINGTON — A national watchdog group is calling for an investigation into a tax-exempt Michigan political organization, saying it has spent millions on TV ads featuring Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, targeting his opponents, but failing to disclose any of its donors as required by law.

In a complaint sent Wednesday to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) claims the Michigan Advocacy Trust has violated federal law by not telling the IRS or the Michigan Secretary of State how much it has spent on political ads or who its contributors are.

“(Groups) that spend most of their time and money on politics must disclose their activities and donors,” CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder wrote in the complaint, which was shared exclusively with the Free Press. “(Michigan Advocacy Trust) is trying to elude the law’s disclosure requirements.” ...

As an independent group, MAT has no direct ties to Schuette or any other candidate, and Schuette declined to comment on its activities. Little is known of its structure. But MAT, which spent at least $3.7 million on TV ads in 2010 and 2014 favorably portraying Schuette and criticizing his opponents, is part of what critics say is a surge in “dark money” seeking to influence elections anonymously across the U.S. ...

http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2015/10/08/bill-schuette-michigan-advocacy-trust-political-ads/73526000/
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Group: IRS should probe shadowy pro-Schuette spending (Original Post) MinM Oct 2015 OP
In other Schuette/Snyder corruption news... MinM Oct 2015 #1
Yet more Schuette/Snyder corruption... MinM Jan 2016 #2

MinM

(2,650 posts)
1. In other Schuette/Snyder corruption news...
Thu Oct 8, 2015, 06:05 AM
Oct 2015
Crain's Detroit Biz ?@crainsdetroit: #Michigan to pay $1.9M to lawyers in landmark gay marriage case http://trib.al/IDR3AxK

LESSENBERY: @onetoughnerd's #FlintWaterCrisis another example of how he seems incapable of admitting mistakes http://www.michrad.io/1M6xlhM

MinM

(2,650 posts)
2. Yet more Schuette/Snyder corruption...
Sat Jan 16, 2016, 09:34 AM
Jan 2016
Michigan AG declined to investigate Flint water in December

Three weeks ago, however, Schuette had declined to take any action when asked by a Flint representative to do so.

LANSING — Earlier today Attorney General Bill Schuette called for an investigation into the Flint water crisis. Just three weeks ago, however, Schuette had declined to take any action when asked by a Flint representative to do so.

Today, Schuette's office said that they will look to see if any Michigan laws were broken. Schuette described the Flint water crisis as a "human tragedy."

In September of 2015 State Representative Sheldon Neeley asked Schuette to investigate the Flint water crisis. In a letter to Schuette's office, Neeley said, "I make this request to urge the Attorney general's Office to investigate and determine if the City of Flint and/or the State of Michigan and its agents have culpability and responsibility for this unfortunate problem. "

Rep Shelden Neeley Letter to Michigan AG

On December 22, 2015 the Attorney General's Office sent a response to Neeley. In a response to Neeley, Rusty Hills, the Senior Advisor from the Executive Division, told Neeley, "As the Attorney General explained, given the multiple reviews by federal and state agencies, and the pending and potential federal court actions, we do not believe it necessary to conduct an additional investigation." ...


http://nbc25news.com/news/local/michigan-ag-declined-to-investigate-flint-water-in-december

Scary Bill Schuette
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