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Keepin it in the Family?
(01/31/13 UPDATE: Word has come to me that Truthout has retracted the story to which my blog post below refers. The story, by Truthout’s Danny Weil, apparently misread the OpenSecrets data, and confused contributions made by individuals with those from PACs. I regret passing along this error in the Truthout story, a story I cited in good faith.)
Archconservative billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson isn’t the only member of his immediate family who’s been in trouble lately. From Truthout (h/t to my MR co-blogger Charles), look at what Adelson’s wife Miriam’s been caught doing:
According to Opensecrets.org, The Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research was the fourth largest contributor to right-wing political action committees (PACs), political parties and outside spending groups in the nation in 2012; the organization contributed over $24 million to these groups.
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Online news site, influenceexplorer.com reported in 2012 that Dr. Miriam Adelson and the Adelson Clinic contributed $22.5 million to the following political actions committees: $12.5 million to Winning Our Future, $5 million to Restore Our Future, $ 2.5 million to Young Guns Action Fund, and $2.5 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund.
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Although the clinic is a stated non-profit organization, it makes massive contributions to conservative political groups that raise questions about its philanthropic mission.
Murky political dealings aren’t the only controversial thing connected with the clinic. The state of Nevada, where the methadone-prescribing clinic Dr. Miriam Adelson backs with her (or her hubby’s) money is located, has a methadone-poisoning rate that is twice the national average; in 2007, the Adelson clinic was invited by a local TV station to comment on the methadone problem in Nevada, but, after initially agreeing to the interview, canceled it.
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What a great photo. This tuxedoed grifter was also sighted by the NYT as being involved in/promoting prostitution at his casino/resorts. So they’re in the legalized drug rackets, too. Now, if we can just catch he and his wife hijacking a truck full of cigarettes the portrait will be complete. But I’m surprised there’s no mention of gun running and money laundering. Or is that another corporation entirely?
We need indictments
Snakes. Sharks. Horrible People!
(PDub, forgive me. I forgot to point people in this direction. And, it’s a good post, too.)
What is the law regarding non profits it seems to me the clinic is giving away more political donations tax free than it spends to actually help people.
http://www.8newsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=7328805
The cure is worst than the disease? That’s worth a post all by itself.
Another good reason to drag out my favorite gripe: charitable deductions. Do away with them! Tax subsidies for worthy causes are an inefficient way to improve society and are more often than not, wasteful or fraudulent. (Helping to pay Jerry Falwell Jr.’s salary? Sniper training for Israeli settlers? Come on!) Go through the Charity Navigator and check out the salaries paid to the executives of many charities. It’s easy to see that direct public spending would be better, since public employees don’t earn that much.
I’m in the medium income bracket and do donate a lot to charity, but cannot deduct it (no house!) Charity should come from empathy with those who have less or are treated more poorly than us.
Thanks! I created the graphic to illustrate this story.
Indeed.
No worries, D-Lady! How goes it with you and yours today?
Fine and fine, thanks. Bacon and cinnamon rolls with orange frosting and walnuts. What’s not to love?
Good morning (just barely). It certainly is not surprising that they would do that as a conduit for contributions. What do you think the penalty will be, if there is one? $10k fine, $20k? I really don’t see jail time or losing their tax exempt status. Look at all of the churches that push political lines and retain their tax exemption.
As far as salaries for top “charity” executives, there are so many outrageously compensated. Just look at the red cross: they really don’t do anything to help during disasters, but use them to get more contributions. Their best efforts are to keep themselves established as apparent crisis helpers, but mainly just lobby bigwigs. They are not alone, just an easy example.
Imprison both the Adelsons.
Mr Adelson bet big and lost on a DoJ that’s sympathetic to his overseas bribery and illegal casino dealings. So let’s see some action from the unsympathetic DoJ America voted for! And the Mrs too.
Given the recession I wonder about the profits Adelson claims to have made he would not be the first GOP CEO who gave tons of money shortly before he went broke looking for a government handout in the future.
Thanks PW. Great catch by Charles.
Non Profit Quarterly nailed the Bradley FDN in Nov 2012
For Foundations, a Cautionary Tale about Leaders and Electoral Politics
Clearly they’re getting push back from their members that this is making everyone look dirty.