CREW FILES IRS COMPLAINT AGAINST JAMES DOBSON’S FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

[NVMojo]

Washington, DC – Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) today filed an Internal Revenue Services (IRS) complaint against Focus on the Family, a conservative, non-profit organization led by its Founder and Chairman James C. Dobson. The complaint asks for the IRS to investigate activities by the group which may violate IRS regulations and require a revocation of its tax-exempt status.

Although barred from electioneering, Mr. Dobson has endorsed candidates for political office several times. In early April, 2004, Mr. Dobson endorsed Republican Representative Patrick J. Toomey in his race for Senate in Pennsylvania. In addition, it was reported that Mr. Dobson actively campaigned during a rally for Rep. Toomey. Other candidates that Mr. Dobson reportedly endorsed in 2004 include North Carolina Republican candidate Pat Ballentine for Govenor and Oklahoma Republican candidate Tom Coburn for Senate.

“Mr. Dobson’s egregious violations of IRS code demand an investigation into his improper activities that break both the spirit and the letter of IRS law,” Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW said today.

Recently, the IRS has actively pursued investigations against several perceived liberal groups. The IRS targeted the NAACP’s chairman Julian Bond for a July 2004 speech in which he criticized the Bush administration's policies on civil rights and the war in Iraq. Additionally, the IRS has threatened to revoke the tax-exempt status of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California because of an antiwar sermon there during the 2004 presidential election. In his sermon "If Jesus Debated Sen. Kerry and President Bush," the Rector Emeritus of the church, George Regas, never encouraged parishoners to vote for one candidate over another, but only to vote their deepest values.

more...

http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/newsrelease.php?view=91

The complaint is on the left hand side of this story in a pdf.

[waiting for hope]

1. James C. Dobson is the Anti-Christ....

If the IRS worked in getting Al Capone, perhaps it will help in getting these religious nut cases out of politics.

[NVMojo]

2. ...and if they have gone after liberal groups, they need to nail him too

[waiting for hope]

3. Isn't that how our democracy is

supposed to work? What's good for the goose is good for the gander.....perhaps I over think too much, Repugs aren't willing to have a turn about fair play attitude anytime soon.

[rocktivity]

11. DING DING DING! WatitingForHope, you're our grand prize winner!

Repugs aren't willing to have a "turn about fair play" attitude anytime soon.
That's because they're nothing but animals and bullies, and the only thing that commands the respect of animals and bullies are BIGGER animals and bullies. Instead of whining about how "mean" they're being, retaliate in kind, and they back down every time. That's what Reid and Murtha did--and what Kerry didn't.

Anyway, great news--cue the Vonage theme!

:woohoo:
rocknation

[northernsoul]

20. it's crazy idea called "equal protection under the law"

which basically means the law has to treat apples like apples.

[tblue37]

25. Don't you know,

IOKIYAR.

[indepat]

21. And silly me: I suspected Pat and Jerry

[area51]

26. Bush

Actually, I think Bush is the anti-Christ, & Jimmy Dobson is his assistant. :evilgrin:

[waiting for hope]

28. I used to think that too -

until I realized how incredibly stupid the man is - just for giggles, take a look at this....
http://www.seattleweekly.com/features/0449/041208_news_antichrist.php

:rofl:

[sarcasmo]

34. Dobson, Ralph Reed, and the guy who has the really bad beard

and preaches Dinosaurs didn't exist.

[Maat]

4. He will try the "I was acting as an individual" defense.

Or the "This was done under the auspices of my 501-c-4," "not my non-profit (501-c-3)" defense.

He is a member of the Arlington Group, and reportedly a member of the Council for National Policy; these are both secretive groups that seemingly get more time with the President and his staff than Congress does.

He and his orgs basically function as a Rethuglican Propaganda Machine (to paraphrase David Brock).

I'd like to the machine dismantled one day; maybe the Great Spirit will intervene.

[HereSince1628]

7. IMO you are right, but it seems he is a long way from needing a defense

the complaint has only been filed.

[Straight Shooter]

13. Then he should have indicated so at the time.

Let's see, another "duck and run" Republican. Yep.

[niallmac]

5. Dear IRS: Focus on the tax evasion n/t

[NVMojo]

6. Right f-ing on!

[Demeter]

8. YES! YES! YES!

A policy to follow. With the IRS declaring open season on peacemakers and advocates, why not go after the real violators?

[EFerrari]

9. Finally! Good catch!

:kick:

[NVMojo]

10. ...and may they catch him! Can't stand to even look at the self-righteous

JERK!!!

[Beacho]

12. When are they going after Trinity?

When I accidentaly turn on that freak show I feel like I'm watching The Old Time GOP Hour.

[VaYallaDawg]

14. He'll slide on it, just watch. System is rigged in his favor.

[progressoid]

19. My thoughts too. It's a nice sentiment, but will probably go no where.

[MADem]

15. That's how they got Al Capone!!!

Never mind those pesky murders, ya didn't pay yer taxes!!!

Whatever it takes!!

[depakid]

16. Yet you won't see this in the "mainstream" media

even though they will report on every petty creationist lawsuit and rarely fail to echo Dobson's political rhetoric.

[NVMojo]

18. get it out to bloggers everywhere!

[coffeenap]

17. Go CREW!!!!! It is Dobson's turn now... nt

[David Zephyr]

22. Kick!

:kick:

[Judi Lynn]

23. IRS complaint filed against Focus on the Family

IRS complaint filed against Focus on the Family
Group say tax-exempt status prohibits political activity

Tuesday, November 29, 2005; Posted: 4:36 p.m. EST (21:36 GMT)
DENVER (AP) -- A Washington-based group has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether Focus on the Family or its founder James Dobson violated IRS rules by electioneering.

James Bopp, an attorney for the Colorado Springs-based conservative Christian group, said the group has fully complied with IRS code.

The complaint, filed Monday by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, also asked the IRS to investigate whether the tax-exempt status of Focus on the Family should be revoked. Tax-exempt organizations cannot participate in campaigns for or against candidates for public office.

The group alleges that news articles showed Dobson endorsed candidates for Congress before the organization officially formed its separate public policy arm, Focus on the Family Action, in July 2004.
(snip/...)

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/29/focusonthefamily.irs.ap/index.html

[NVMojo]

27. Thanks, Judi Lynn! Glad to see it hit CNN!!!

[WhiteTara]

24. oh and the wheels of the IRS grind

very fine. This is the best thing in the world. This will definitely take that slime down into the underbelly of his dirty world and then take all his money and send him to jail. :bounce:

edited for oops

[GrantDem]

29. Focus on the Family Faces IRS Grievance

A Washington-based group has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether Focus on the Family or its founder James Dobson violated IRS rules by electioneering.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/29/AR2005112900886.html

[AX10]

30. KICK

:bounce:

[Midnight Rambler]

31. Dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5482051

[Ian David]

32. As much as I never get tired of seeing this, it's not Late Breaking News

See prior threads:

BREAKING: IRS complaint filed against Focus on the Family
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5482051&mesg_id=5482097


CREW FILES IRS COMPLAINT AGAINST JAMES DOBSON’S FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
Topic started by NVMojo on Nov-28-05 11:48 PM (27 replies)
Last modified by NVMojo on Nov-30-05 01:50 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1953315


BREAKING: IRS complaint filed against Focus on the Family
Topic started by kpete on Nov-30-05 08:20 AM (8 replies)
Last modified by mzteris on Nov-30-05 08:31 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5482051


Anybody Got Some Serious Dirt on the Religious Right?
Topic started by stepnw1f on Nov-27-05 02:56 PM (63 replies)
Last modified by Bouncy Ball on Nov-28-05 11:56 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5460618

[mumon]

33. May I respectfully disagree with the Dupe police?

It's one thing for CREW to file the complaint, but what's newsworthy here is that it's in the Washington Post.

Please reconsider or move elsewhere.

[0007]

35. bttft