Inside the hidden world of thefts, scams and phantom purchases at the nation’s nonprofits

An investigation by the Washington Post looking for nonprofits where money had gone missing started from the simplest possible place: The reporters looked for those organizations which had checked the box on their 990 form confirming that the organization had a “significant diversion of funds.” (“Significant diversion” is defined as anything more than $250,000 or five percent of the organization’s gross receipts or net assets.) This question was quietly added in 2008. The question was phased in and reportedly was only asked of larger public charities, although not consistently. Private foundations and smaller nonprofits did not get the question, although it is unclear why.

Crafty non profit executives can drain money into their personal accounts using a variety of methods. Auditing is rare, and the general sense of entitlement evidently covers most sins. - MM

Read a report here, http://nonprofitquarterly.org/policysocial-context/23144-washington-post-investigates-significant-diversions-of-nonprofit-funds-as-reported-to-irs.html and then go to the source here... http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/inside-the-hidden-world-of-thefts-scams-and-phantom-purchases-at-the-nations-nonprofits/2013/10/26/825a82ca-0c26-11e3-9941-6711ed662e71_story.html

Clinton Foundation Rife with Fraud and Cronyism

What does being a non profit even mean? It's increasingly obvious that many foundations and not for profits are simply a place to park money and spread benefits to insiders.

The Clintons use their foundation to keep staff members well paid between political gigs. They can fly around the world, act important, and have an unlimited expense account.

Of course, we're all supposed to bow down and worship people who work for non profits, as they are so much better than us.

Time for me to declare my family a non profit! We help more people than many of these big names, and why should they not pay taxes, while I have to? - MM


Read one of many stories here... http://www.1800politics.com/clinton-foundation-rife-with-fraud-and-cronyism/

Autism Awareness Founder Guilty of Two Felonies

One or our first posts was about these guys. Glad to see justice being done.

Of course, it is very hard to judge whether a charity is just having start up costs, or is actually just scamming the public. More government control may not be the answer. - MM

"We just learned that the long and exhausting journey with our organization and the illegal activities of Joseph Searles has reached an end with the conviction of Searles for theft in the first degree and operating without a gambling license, both felonies."

Read the whole article here  http://www.autismsocietyofwa.org/2013/09/autism-awareness-founder-guilty-of-two-felonies/