From Walter Olson at Overlawyered.com:
The Pat Robertson-founded American Center for Law and Justice is ostensibly a religious-right nonprofit legal-advocacy organization.
But Tony Mauro of Legal Times reports that Jay Sekulow, head of ACLJ, has “feathered his nest” with perks far out of line for an organization that calls itself either “nonprofit” or “Christian.” Mauro uncovers payments to Sekulow that are extreme for a nonprofit; the use of a private jet; chauffeur-driven cars; several houses; nepotism (ACLJ jobs for family members); and signs of money laundering. ACLJ provides all this and more to a man who in the 1980s was accused of securities fraud, and who now (like James Dobson) profits from a complex web of personal, business and nonprofit entities.
Mauro contends that Sekulow’s profligacy has produced a backlash among associates who believe the handling of his organizations’ finances does not exemplify Christian teachings.
A nit and a couple of comments.
The nit is that the correct term is “not for profit.” I understand that the article uses “non-profit,” but there really is a difference. ACLJ is probably better characterized as a “not-for-profit” organization.
To the comments:
The perks that Sekulow received should probably be considered imputed income. One might seriously wonder whether he paid income tax on the imputed income.
Not-for-profits are usually monitored by the states in which they are headquartered–apparently in Sekulow’s case, Virginia–particularly by the state’s AttyGen–to make sure that (i) they are not defrauding donors and (ii) they are actually engaged in activities that the state would consider tax-exempt under state law. Of course, regarding (ii) the state determination would not bind the IRS, but it would be a starter.. One might seriously ask why the Virginia state AttyGen has not pursued the issue regarding Sekulow.
Second, one wonders the extent to which this might be analogized to the case of the head of the national United Way (I don’t recall his name) a few years ago, who was exposed as having engaged in use of donations to sponsor a lavish lifestyle. Nothing as extensive as that alleged against Sekulow. The UW head resigned. I doubt very seriously that Sekulow will resign.
Third, I could go through the litany of charges against Sekulow here, and might be able to fabricate a justification for some of them. It would be a fabrication, though. Regarding the private jet–was the jet used for other purposes?
Regarding the “several houses” were the houses used by other people? It is not unusual for a corporation to buy condos for use by their employees in the areas in which they are doing business. I doubt, though, that that would apply here.
Regarding “chauffeur-driven cars” I suppose that that might allow Mr. Sekulow to do work while he is being transported from hither to wherever.
Regarding nepotism, it sounds as if ACLJ is another of the fam’ly run anti-gay operations–similar to Lou Sheldon’s Traditional Values Coalition–another fam’ly operation.
Lest you misunderstand me, I have been very, very sarcastic above.
Did Sekulow ever borrow the corporate jet (taxed not) and fly to the Congo?Pick up a few diamonds from a murderous ditator?Just wondering ’cause it’s par for course as far as his boss is concerned… (google, pleople).I’d rather trawl a street corner and prostitute myself than do what these people do.
Oh hello, even yahoo knows him…Where do you find them?
Raj: Excellent points all.
Leaving aside the signs of money laundering (which is extremely difficult to prove), I wonder exactly how much of the rest is illegal. Immoral, yes. Unethical, certainly. I’d be interested to know if there are any state or IRS regulations that require administrative costs being held under X-percent, for example.
Unfortunately many of ACLJ’s supporters may not have too many qualms as long as they see results. And Jay Sekulo certainly has been getting a lot of face-time in the media lately. I’ve noticed that in the past few weeks that he seems to have emerged as the media’s favorite go-to guy when they want comments from the “reasonable” far-right and wish to avoid demagoguery.
Which is the biggest problem with Sekulo that we need to be concerned about: he comes across as reasonable. I’m not aware of him ever bashing gays or anyone else. His amicus briefs, for example, stick strictly to points of law, quite unlike those filed by the FRC, CWA, Eagle Forum and others, which often veer wildly into horrific anti-gay rhetoric.
Jay may come off as reasonable to the public, but the following was a ACLJ brief in Lawrence vs. Texas:
“The unspoken premise of petitioners is that the election of anal sodomy, as opposed to vaginal intercourse, is merely a matter of ‘preference,’ like selecting what wine to have with dinner . . . This completely ignores human biology. The anus is designed for excretory function, not the introduction of sexual organs, fists, gerbils, or foreign objects. The fact that one may physically take a milkshake into one’s nose as well as one’s mouth, for example, does not mean the two acts must be equivalent.”
Another yahoo who actually believes the gerbil story. Let me tell you, I have been in the medical field for 25 years, and I’ve never seen or heard a verifiable report.
Ugh! I totally missed that!
NancyP,
“Another yahoo who actually believes the gerbil story. Let me tell you, I have been in the medical field for 25 years, and I’ve never seen or heard a verifiable report.”
Wait, it’s true. My cousin’s next-door neighbor’s best friend’s sister was there!!
😉
Isn’t this Pat Robertson’s group? It would seem like par for the course in that case.
Jayelle, the answer is yes.
Excuse me … Is this org the ONLY 1 that hires their family?? Look around the world folks … or is it because this is a “Christian” org ???
Why is it that if it has to do with “Christian” … they are expected to be poverty bound ??? live in a hut … ride a bicycle or hitch hike & dress like a pauper?? Why dont U expect the same of the folks @ ACLU??? or the Athiest orgs … or the Gay orgs ???
Can some one explain to me the difference in expectations?? CHRIST … regardless of the worldwide ignorance … was NOT poor !!! & no where do I see where as a CHRISTian we are called to be so ??!!
GET A LIFE … obviously U need a different life !!!
Shar 🙂
By the way … where’s your proof of all this?
Maybe “Your” cousin’s next-door neighbor’s best friend’s sister was there!!??
Who determines “extreme” pmts for non profit orgs besides this Tony guy … publish his guidelines so we can make sure they apply to all!! So if we work for a non profit org … then my children should only eat the scraps of the rich?? My time is not worth as much as yours because I’m working for what I believe in instead of for the world??
Whose private jet are we talking about?? What business is it of anyones as to what a person does with “their” private jet … do U also scrutinize Trumps jet log?? I’m not wealthy but I own 2 houses … so?? & your point is???
Educate me please … what are the signs of money laundrying ??? Hope I’m not guilty of the same since I own & operate my own business … & even more than that … I am a CHRISTian !!!
Let us look into this Tony Mauro … his $s & family life … & anything private &/or personal … let’s see if we can find some dirt on him to obliviate about!!
I also noticed that this article is over a yr old … dont you have anything new to trash this Seckulow guy with ??
Shar :
Ahh yes, I love it when people reply to year-old articles. It’s delayed outrage on a grand scale!