Monday, April 14, 2008

Pro-Voucher Group Hit with $5.2 Million Fine for Illegally Funneling Campaign Money

Remains Under Investigation in Wisconsin for Campaign 'Money Laundering' Allegations

All Children Matter, the pro-private school vouchers group founded by Michigan Republican billionaire Richard DeVos was fined $5.2 million for illegally funneling money into Ohio campaigns. All Children Matter remains under investigation in Wisconsin after the State Elections Board determined in November 2006 it violated rules about express advocacy in opposing John Lehman's bid for the State Senate.

In its 5-0 decision the Ohio Elections Commission ruled that All Children Matter illegally funneled $870,000 to Ohio through a Virginia Political Action Committee (PAC), allowing it to exceed the state's $10,000 limit on PAC contributions.

All Children Matter is affiliated with Alliance for Choices in Education (also involved in the Wisconsin Elections Board investigation), run by Wisconsin's George and Susan Mitchell, who have donated thousands of dollars to Wisconsin political candidates.

According to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, All Children Matter spent at least $1 million on a number of Wisconsin elections in 2006, including Republican Gubernatorial candidate Mark Green's campaign. The DeVos family has contributed more than $30,000 to dozens of Wisconsin's pro-voucher Republicans.

In the Lehman race, which prompted the complaint by the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Care Professionals and the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association, the Elections Board agreed that All Children Matter violated campaign laws for failing to register with the state prior to spending $35,000 in an attempt to defeat Lehman.

The Wisconsin investigation has been turned over to the Government Accountability Board.