Bernie Sanders diverts $75,000 from campaign funds to family organization.
Sen. Bernie Sanders Transfers $75,000 to Family-Run Think Tank
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has raised eyebrows by moving a substantial amount of money from his campaign funds to a think tank founded by his wife and stepson. According to Federal Election Commission records, a cash transfer of $75,000 was made to the Sanders Institute on Aug. 8, labeled as a “charitable donation.” While not illegal, this practice of politicians funneling campaign funds to relatives has long been criticized for the potential of powerful families benefiting from donor money.
“The fact that the group is run by family is one of the things that encourages advance scrutiny,” said Dan Backer, a Republican campaign finance lawyer.
The purpose of the $75,000 transfer within the think tank remains unclear, as the Sanders Institute did not provide a comment. Established in the aftermath of Sanders’ unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign, the think tank briefly shut down during his 2020 White House bid to avoid any appearance of impropriety, according to Jane Sanders.
Mission and Financial Disclosures
The Sanders Institute aims to promote progressive solutions to economic, environmental, racial, and social justice issues by actively engaging individuals, organizations, and the media, as stated in its mission statement. Financial disclosures reveal that David Driscoll, a board member, received over $152,000 in compensation for an average of 40 hours per week, while other board members were unpaid.
In 2021, the think tank reported a revenue of over $716,000 and expenditures of approximately $373,000. Notably, some of its resources have been allocated to enhancing the senator’s image, such as a $160,000 “timeline project” on the website showcasing his work over four decades in various policy areas.
Furthermore, the Sanders Institute has not disclosed its grants to like-minded organizations in its most recent publicly available tax forms. This revelation follows previous reports of the senator’s campaign donating $200,000 to the think tank between January and March, also labeled as “charitable donations.”
In addition to the campaign contributions, the think tank received a $350,000 grant from a nonprofit organization directed by James M. Walton, son of James Carr Walton, an heir to the Walmart fortune. These two donations accounted for 84% of the think tank’s total revenue in 2021.
The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
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What are the potential risks of politicians supporting family-run institutes with campaign funds?
Vid Primo, a professor of political science at the University of Rochester. “Even if the money is spent in a legitimate and transparent manner, it can create a perception of impropriety.”
The Sanders Institute, which was founded in 2017 by Jane O’Meara Sanders, wife of Sen. Sanders, and her son David Driscoll, describes itself as a think tank focused on progressive policies. Its mission is to “revitalize democracy by actively engaging individuals, organizations, and the media in the pursuit of progressive solutions to economic, environmental, racial, and social justice issues.”
While there is nothing inherently wrong with politicians supporting think tanks or other charitable organizations, the transfer of such a large sum of money to a family-run institute raises questions about transparency and accountability. Critics argue that this kind of arrangement could potentially be exploited by powerful families to divert campaign funds for personal gain.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Sen. Sanders has come under scrutiny for financial transactions involving his family. During his 2016 presidential campaign, he faced criticism for hiring his wife and stepson as campaign consultants, further fueling concerns about nepotism and favoritism.
Supporters of the senator argue that the transfer of funds to the Sanders Institute is a legitimate way for him to advance his policy agenda. They contend that the senator’s commitment to progressive causes is well-established, and that the think tank serves as a vehicle for promoting these values.
However, critics argue that politicians should be cautious when it comes to directing campaign funds to family members, as it can create conflicts of interest and undermine public trust. They argue that campaign funds should be used solely for campaign-related activities and not channeled to organizations that have personal ties to the politician or their family.
While the transfer of funds to the Sanders Institute is not illegal, it does raise concerns about the use of campaign funds for personal purposes. The public deserves transparency and accountability from their elected representatives, and any financial transactions involving family members should be subject to scrutiny.
Ultimately, it is up to the voters to decide whether they find these financial transactions acceptable or troubling. However, it is crucial for politicians to maintain the highest ethical standards and ensure that their actions do not create the perception of impropriety or abuse of power. Only then can we have confidence in the integrity of our political system.
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