This week, End Citizens United (ECU) submitted its Internal Revenue Service (IRS) complaint against No Labels to the 27 states where the organization is registered to solicit charitable donations to encourage local offices to investigate the group’s fraudulent misuse of their nonprofit status and hold them accountable.
Here’s what they’re saying in the states:
Arkansas:
Fox 16: Group sends complaint to Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, IRS alleging political fraud
Alex Kienlen
1/29/24
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A national political action committee claims it has filed a complaint with Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin calling out what it sees as political fraud.
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In its complaint, ECU claims No Labels’ filings show it has spent $8.9 million in 2022 for ballot access, which is expected to be higher for 2023 based on activity. ECU alleges that no social welfare expenditure is shown on its filings.
KUAR: Arkansas attorney general asked to investigate political advocacy group
Josie Lenora
1/31/24
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Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has been asked to review the behavior of a group promoting third-party candidates. The donor situation and legal status of No Labels, a centrist political group, has recently been called into question.
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“The facts strongly suggest that No Labels no longer operates exclusively for an exempt social welfare purpose as required by the Code,” the letter says. “Instead, No Labels’ public statements and reports of its financial activity strongly suggest it is operating in substantial part to sustain the political fortunes of the No Labels Party.”
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End Citizens United is questioning No Labels’ financial backing and asking for them to be reclassified as a political party. End Citizens United also sent a request to Republican Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin asking for No Labels’ status as a tax-exempt organization to be examined
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Political group seeks review of No Labels’ status in Arkansas following federal complaints
Alex Thomas
1/30/24
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In its IRS complaint dated Jan. 23, End Citizens United argued No Labels’ activities show it is not working to promote social welfare over generating a profit, but rather the organization is operating to “sustain the political fortunes of the No Labels Party” ahead of a likely Joe Biden-Donald Trump rematch in November.
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End Citizens United sent the request to the Arkansas attorney general’s office on Monday as part of a multi-state effort challenging No Labels’ tax-exempt label. An End Citizens United spokesperson told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that the letter’s intention was to flag possible federal issues in case of interest in investigating potential state infractions.
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“In its attempt to run a third-party presidential ticket, No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status in Arkansas and we believe Attorney General Tim Griffin should investigate and hold them accountable,” End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller said Monday.
Connecticut:
Inside Investigator: CT Dept. of Consumer Protection asked to investigate No Labels
Marc E. Fitch
1/29/24
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The organization End Citizens United (ECU) has already submitted a complaint to the Internal Revenue Service, but is also submitting a complaint to DCP, “alleging fraudulent misuse of its nonprofit status as it prepares to launch a third-party presidential ticket,” the ECU press release said.
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“In its attempt to run a third-party presidential ticket, No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status in Connecticut and we believe Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli should investigate and hold them accountable,” ECU President Tiffany Muller said. “No Labels is a shadowy dark money political group that is grossly exploiting Connecticut laws which are designed to benefit legitimate social welfare organizations.”
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No Labels has not yet gained ballot access in Connecticut but is registered to solicit donations.
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However, ECU says that if No Labels is able to secure their Unity ticket in Connecticut it will set a “dangerous precedent” moving forward because of how they raise money and use their nonprofit status.
WSHU: Sound Bites: Bridgeport’s mayoral election redo shake up
Eric Warner
2/1/24
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A complaint was filed against the Connecticut chapter of No Labels. The campaign finance reform committee End Citizens United filed the complaint with the state Department of Consumer Protection. They argue No Labels misused their nonprofit status to launch a third-party presidential ticket from the No Labels Party. United wants to see the state revoke the political organization’s nonprofit status.
Florida:
Florida Phoenix: What’s going on with No Labels and its nonprofit status in FL and elsewhere?
Mitch Perry
1/30/24
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“In its attempt to run a third-party presidential ticket, No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status in Florida and we believe … Wilton Simpson (Florida Agriculture Commissioner) should investigate and hold them accountable,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller in a written statement issued on Monday.
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The Phoenix reached out to the Department of Agriculture to confirm that they had received the inquiry from End Citizens United. A spokesperson told us that they were looking into the matter.
Hawaii:
The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs: Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 29, 2024
Staff
1/29/24
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End Citizens United submitted a complaint to the Hawaii AG alleging No Labels fraudulently misuses its nonprofit status. The complaint was originally filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
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“In its attempt to run a third-party presidential ticket, No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status in Hawaii and we believe Attorney General Anne Lopez should investigate and hold them accountable,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “No Labels is a shadowy dark money political group that is grossly exploiting Hawaii laws which are designed to benefit legitimate social welfare organizations. If No Labels’ corrupt charade continues unchecked, it will set a dangerous precedent for future elections.”
Michigan:
WLNS: No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status: Advocates
Kate Holloway
1/29/24
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The advocacy organization End Citizens United has submitted a complaint to Michigan Attorney General against No Labels, the group that is working toward a possible third-party presidential campaign.
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“We are continuing to work every single avenue with our partners to hold (No Labels) accountable legally, to expose them publicly and to make sure they are playing by the same rules as everyone else,” said End Citizens United president Muller, reported AP.
Virginia:
Augusta Free Press: Group claims No Labels is using its nonprofit status to fund dark money politics
Chris Graham
1/30/24
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A Democratic Party-aligned political advocacy group is challenging the nonprofit status of No Labels, in a complaint filed with the Virginia AG’s office alleging that the group is hiding behind its legal status to fund its political operations.
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“No Labels is a shadowy dark money political group that is grossly exploiting Virginia laws which are designed to benefit legitimate social welfare organizations. If No Labels’ corrupt charade continues unchecked, it will set a dangerous precedent for future elections,” Muller said.
Staff
1/29/24
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End Citizens United (ECU) submitted a complaint to the Virginia Attorney General against No Labels alleging fraudulent misuse of its nonprofit status as it prepares to launch a third-party presidential ticket. The complaint was originally filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
West Virginia:
12WBOY: PAC files complaint against No Labels, tax exempt status
Alexandra Weaver
1/29/24
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A political action committee (PAC) called End Citizens United has filed a complaint against No Labels with the West Virginia Secretary of State and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the group’s 501(c)(4) tax status.
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In a press release, End Citizens United said “No Labels cannot be considered a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as its work primarily benefits the No Labels Party, and does not meet the minimum 50% threshold of promoting social welfare. Instead, it appears that nearly the entirety of No Labels’ spending is on political activity.”
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End Citizens United argued in its IRS complaint that since No Labels is “primarily benefiting private individuals—the No Labels Party […] its primary purpose is not promoting social welfare and instead it is primarily engaged in political activity,” and shouldn’t be able to claim tax exempt status.
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