A group of conservative operatives using sophisticated robocalls raised millions of dollars from donors using pro-police and pro-veteran messages. But instead of using the money to promote issues and candidates, an analysis by The New York Times shows, nearly all the money went to pay the firms making the calls and the operatives themselves, highlighting a flaw in the regulation of political nonprofits.
They raised $89 million in the 2022 election cycle, mostly in small donations. Most of that went for fundraising costs. A few million went to what appeared to be shell companies owned by the organizers. Just under $827,000 went to support political causes and candidates.
In other words, they skimmed over 99% of the donated money by phony charities to support first responders, almost always targeting conservative voters.
If you get a call from someone who says that they are working for a fund that supports cops, firefightsers, or veterans hang up. It's a fucking scam.
Sucka's. Rubes. Marks, pigeons, dupes, fools. Had one pulled over on ’em, sold a bag full of magic beans. Led down a primrose path, followed the yellow brick road, lookin' at the world through rose-colored glasses
ReplyDeleteMeh, they're not very smart and things get out of hand ...
In NY, if you're fundraising for a charity, you have to register (unless you're a Prince from Nigeria) AND account for the money you raise. AND there's an online database where you can check quickly how much actually went to the charity, it's Pennies For Charity:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.charitiesnys.com/pfcmap/index.jsp
Fr'instance, my town PBA had professional telemarketing...and about 28% of the money actually went to the PBA charity (no telling how much of that went to actually did good works). And it gets worse, much worse.
Time back, I kept a printout of the DB by the phone. :)
Professional telemarketing leaves everyone not on the take with a bad taste in the mouth....reduces respect for the nominal charity as well: if the charity believed in their mission, they'd solicit directly.
Lots of those around. They target nearly every "group"... Liberal, Conservatives, gay, straight, (nearly all) religions, etc. Lots of suckers just donate believing that they are making a difference. It gets worse before an election. IIRC, they only have to actually use 35% for the cause, to be legal, the rest can be for "Internal expenses".
ReplyDeleteI never contribute without researching first. That eliminates about 99% of them.
"There's one born every minute"
What is the second plane that took off with the TBM?
ReplyDelete"Think of how stupid the average person is and realize half of them are stupider than that." George Carlin
ReplyDeleteI got a call that claimed they were raising money for disabled firefighters. I honestly told them I was a disabled firefighter and how can I get some of that money.
ReplyDeleteClick.
Wrong post to ask, Dan…but it’s a North American T-6G Texan (some would call it a North American BC-1), N66JB.
ReplyDelete