As was reported in an earlier diary today, Accountable America has offered a "$100,000 reward to encourage whistleblowers and others with information about unlawful conduct by businessoriented or conservative Section 501(c) and Section 527 groups" in a letter sent out today.
They're very careful about language - noting that:
"Many of the leading donors to 501(c) and 527 organizations have had their business and personal affairs closely scrutinized by the media and wellfunded "watchdog" groups. ... These increasingly aggressive tactics have prompted several liberal and Democratic‐leaning groups to disband or curtail their activities."
What kind of threats does Accountable America make? One very specific threat:
Accountable America will publicize the political and business relationships and corrupt activities of donors to these 501(c) and 527 organizations both in the media and to shareholders of public companies where a donor is a major shareholder, director or officer.
How does the NY Times report it?
The warning letter is intended as a first step, alerting donors who might be considering giving to right-wing groups to a variety of potential dangers, including legal trouble, public exposure and watchdog groups digging through their lives.
See that nice switch there by the "liberal" Times?
- Accountable America noted that in other cases, there have been targeted scrutiny of personal affairs of donors to 501(c)'s and 527's, and that this has hurt some liberal and Democratic-leaning groups.
- Accountable America strictly limits their concern to "business oriented or conservative Section 501(c) and Section 527 groups" which engage in "unlawful conduct".
- Accountable America further limits any publicizing they may do to be focussed on "political and business relationships and corrupt activities" of donors to 501(c)'s and 527's which act unlawfully.
- NY Times suggests that Accountable America is making a veiled threat to go "digging through their lives".
Way to serve up the right-wing talking points for them, Grey Lady.