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Advocacy Blog
Friday, September 29, 2006
California Churches Found to Have Donated to Political Campaigns
The LA Daily News reported that the nonprofit status of numerous houses of worship throughout California was put at risk when financial donations were given to political candidates that came from collection plates. These cases of campaign contributions clearly act as political campaign activity. Some church officials cited in the article claimed they were unaware of the problem until the candidate returned the money.
In Los Angeles alone, 39 churches, synagogues and Buddhist temples were identified by political candidates as contributing more than $15,000 to their election campaigns since 1998, according to city Ethics Commission records.
Experts say the issues raise questions over whether the IRS is being even-handed. While the federal tax agency has taken on All Saints, some say it may be overlooking others' political donations as well as whether churches are using federal funds solely for intended social programs.
Posted by Amanda Adams
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