SOURCE: Wikipedia, captured 2020-08-25
This page last modified: 2021-11-18 17:44:55 -0800 (PST)
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[2020-08-24] Federal prosecutors have Steve Bannon's murky nonprofit in their sights. Tucked at the bottom of the long indictment against Bannon, prosecutors say they want to seize the assets of his nonprofit "Citizens of the American Republic," shedding more light on the secretive political group's finances.
Citizens of the American Republic is an American 501(c)(4) non-profit organization founded by Steve Bannon in 2017.
Citizens of the American Republic attracted attention following the federal grand jury indictment of Steve Bannon, Brian Kolfage, and several of their associates on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the "We Build the Wall" fundraising project.
Citizens of the American Republic is a dark money organization. Bannon has declined to describe or identify the group's donors.
The group reported no contributions in the 2017 tax year. According to its tax filings, the group raised approximately $4.5 million in 2018, of which a single donor contributed $2 million, and most of the rest was part of "six-figure and seven-figure donations" from a small number of donors.
Bannon founded Citizens of the American Republic in 2017, after he was abandoned by his previous financial backers, Robert Mercer and Rebekah Mercer [Mercer Family Foundation]. The New York Times reported in January 2018 that, according to Bannon's associates, Bannon aimed to raise between $25 million and $100 million "to build an antiestablishment political operation" that would spend money on Republican primary election campaigns, with half going to voter mobilization initiatives and half going to political advertising. Bannon reportedly "spent months quietly courting some of the deepest pockets on the right" to raise money for the effort.
Citizens of the American Republic is a platform for Bannon to promote President Donald Trump's views via podcasts and films. According to the Citizens of the American Republic, it was formed to "advance the ideals of American nationalism and American sovereignty." Citizens of the American Republic's website features videos and other content promoting "economic nationalism" and advocating against illegal immigration.
In 2018, Citizens of the American Republic focused on an attempt to keep Republican control of the House of Representatives in the 2018 election. During that year, Bannon's associate Guo Wengui (also known as Miles Kwok), exiled Chinese billionaire businessman, allowed Bannon to use one of his two private jets to travel to events in support of Republican congressional candidates in New Mexico and Arizona. The flights were revealed in February 2020 by ProPublica. Bannon made the flights under the auspices of Citizens of the American Republic. Several campaign finance experts who spoke with ProPublica said the trips could violate federal campaign finance law, which prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions to candidates in U.S. political campaigns (including in-kind contributions such as payment for campaign-related travel). Guo and Bannon denied that the travel was for campaign activity; an attorney for Bannon's group stated that the trips on the private jet were to promote Bannon's film, Trump@War.
In 2019, Bannon hired Cleta Mitchell, a high-profile conservative attorney who has also represented the NRA, to represent Citizens of the American Republic.
[2020-08-24] Federal prosecutors have Steve Bannon’s murky nonprofit in their sights. Tucked at the bottom of the long indictment against Bannon, prosecutors say they want to seize the assets of his nonprofit "Citizens of the American Republic," shedding more light on the secretive political group's finances.
Near the end of a lengthy indictment detailing fraud allegations against Stephen Bannon, former Donald Trump campaign CEO and chief strategist and his associates, federal prosecutors reveal that they intend to seize the assets of a murky nonprofit organization Bannon launched in 2017 to promote "economic nationalism." ...
... Stephen Bannon is the Citizens of the American Republic's President, and is described as working 80 hours a week for the group with no salary. His sister Mary E. Meredith, who is Vice President, earned $20,000 for her 40 hours per week of work. Meredith did not respond to messages requesting comment. Other top officials are Dan Fleuette (a longtime Bannon associate), and lawyer Cleta Mitchell. Fleuette did not respond to a LinkedIn message requesting an interview.
Cleta Mitchell has served on the boards of several right-leaning nonprofits, including the National Rifle Association and the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, led by Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore. She declined an interview request.
Citizens of the American Republic attracted attention following the federal grand jury indictment of Steve Bannon, Brian Kolfage, and several of their associates on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the We Build the Wall fundraising project.
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