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Even with this new information on the shortfalls of the Recovery.gov site, the Franklin Center failed to set the record straight. In its 2010 Annual report, the center boasted it found that the "stimulus sent funds in the form of grants, loans and government contracts to support more than 200 projects in imaginary ZIP codes covering 38 states." It did not mention the errors in the database, but let the record stand as a story of government waste.<ref>Bill McMorris, [http://watchdog.org/1530/6-4-billion-stimulus-goes-to-phantom-districts/ $6.4 Billion Stimulus Goes to Phantom Districts], ''New Mexico Watchdog'', November 17, 2009.</ref><ref>Matt Apuzzo, [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705345576/Stimulus-accuracy-comes-under-fire.html Stimulus accuracy comes under fire], ''Associated Press'', November 19, 2009.</ref>
== Conflict of Interest in Wisconsin "John Doe" Campaign Finance Investigation Controversy ==
In 2013, Franklin Center's "Wisconsin Reporter" website published over a dozen articles aggressively attacking Wisconsin's "John Doe" probe into possible campaign finance violations during Wisconsin's 2011 and 2012 recall elections, and broke stories about the investigation. The Center for Media and Democracy (publishers of Sourcewatch.org) uncovered in December 2013 that the news outlet may have a conflict of interest, as "Franklin Center has close ties to individuals and groups that may be caught up in the John Doe."
CMD reported:
"The only name associated with the investigation, Eric O'Keefe, helped launch the Franklin Center's operations in 2009, and his Sam Adams Alliance group provided the majority of its startup budget; O'Keefe has spoken publicly about being subpoenaed in his capacity as director of Wisconsin Club for Growth. Franklin Center's Director of Special Projects John Connors, and the Executive Assistant to the President Claire Milbrandt, also have close ties to a group reportedly involved in the John Doe probe. Its former Director of Operations and General Counsel, James Skyles, worked with another group active in the Wisconsin recalls." <ref name="WCFG Franklin"></ref>
==Criticism from Media Watchdog Organizations==
