Shining a Light on Shadow Money

1. Shining a Light on Shadow Money by Robert Maguire Outside Spending Researcher robert@crp.org

3. “The First Amendment protects political speech; and disclosure permits citizens and shareholders to react to the speech of corporate entities in a proper way. This transparency enables the electorate to make informed decisions and give proper weight to different speakers and messages.” – Citizens United majority opinion

4. Shadow-Money Networks

5. Fix #1 Annual 990 reports should be put online in a database open to the public.

6. Want to Search 990s? • Pay $2100 annually • Receive monthly DVDs in the mail. WE LOVE THE 90s WE LOVE THE 1790s

7. Want just a few 990s? • Fill out and print a form 4506-A • Fax or mail it to the IRS • Wait up to 60 days to receive a copy in the mail

8. 脫褲子放屁 Pulling your pants down to fart.

9. Fix #2 All 990-filing organizations should be included in summary data.

10. The Pop-Up Problem “These groups are popping up like mushrooms after a rain right now, and many of them will be out of business by late November.” – Trevor Potter Former FEC Chairman

11. Still don’t have exempt status* * Try to find them on Guidestar.

12. Summary Data • Employee Identification Number (EIN) • Name • Mailing address • Type of 501(c) • Income amount • Registrant • Filing schedule Additional 990 data • Description of programs • Total expenses • Expense breakdowns • Grants to other 501(c)s • Outside contractors • Board members • Affiliated organizations • Political expenditures