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Supreme Court Justices [[Antonin Scalia]] Ken Yontz, former chair and [[Clarence Thomas]] have attended these events. According to SalonCEO of Sybron International, "Thomas claimed wrote that he just made "has attended Koch seminars since 2005 in a brief drop2015 op-by" at the Koch brothers' January 2008 Palm Springs political retreat to give a talk; ed in fact he was reimbursed for four days of “transportation, meals and accommodations” by the Federalist Society.<ref>Joan Walsh, "[http://www.salon.com/2011/02/16/robber_baron_justice/ Robber baron justice]," ''SalonMilwaukee Journal-Sentinel'', February 15, 2011. Accessed June 10, 2014.</ref> The attendance of Thomas and Scalia has sparked debate over judicial ethics and the 2010 [[Citizens United]] decision.<ref>Sam SteinKen Yontz, "[http://www.huffingtonpostjsonline.com/2010news/10opinion/20/scaliathe-kochs-thomasare-kochfighting-industries_n_769843.html "Justices Scalia And Thomas's Attendance At Koch Event Sparks Judicial Ethics Debate"] HuffPo, October 20, 2010.</ref> Common Cause filed a petition with the Justice Department in January 2011 alleging a conflict of interest for these Justices, as David and Charles Koch operate foundations that contribute to political groups, which might benefit from relaxed campaign finance rules.<ref>Eric Lichtblau, [http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/us/politics/20koch.html Advocacy Group Says Justices May Have Conflict in Campaign Finance Cases], NY Times, Jan 19, 2011, accesed July 10, 2011.</ref> Common Cause has also noted that the Cato Institute, which Charles Koch founded, filed an amicus brief in ''Citizens United'' opposing campaign finance.<ref>Derek Cressman, [http://www.commonblog.com/2011/02/23/did-james-boppfuture-conspiregenerations-withb99492398z1-koch-industries/ Did James Bopp Conspire With Koch Industries], Commonblog302216251.com, Feb 23, 2011, accessed July 11, 2011.</ref> html The Center Kochs are fighting for Competitive Politics also filed a brief in the case; the Center is headed by Bradley Smithyour future], who is affiliated with the Institute for Humane Studies where Charles Koch is Chair of the board and funder.<ref> [http://www.theihs.org/guest" ''Milwaukee Journal-lecturers/bradley-smith Brad Smith bio]Sentinel'', Institute for Humane Studies, accessed July 10May 1, 20112015.</ref>
* [[{{Template:Koch Industries]]Related SW Articles}}*[[Koch Event 2010-06 Attendees]]*[[Corbin Robertson]]*[[Plants Need CO2]]*[[Natural Resource Partners]]
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{{#Show badges:|Koch Exposed|Climate change}}The Since at least 2006, the [[Koch brothers]] have hosted semi-annual meetings for wealthy right-wing donors, sometimes referred to as the '''Koch network''' (or ''.<ref>Stephen Moore, "[http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB114687252956545543 Private Enterprise]," 'Koch strategy group'Wall Street Journal'') is a network of "business and philanthropic leaders" dedicated to "defending our free society", by which they mean dismantling regulations on business and thwarting action on climate changeMay 6, 2006. <blockquote/ref>While these gatherings are carefully guarded, occasional leaked documents and recordings have revealed that they include "Twice a year our network meets to review strategies for combating the multitude titans of industry — from health insurance companies, oil executives, Wall Street investors, and real estate tycoons — working together with conservative journalists and Republican operatives," as well as prominent public policies that threaten to destroy America as we know it. These meetings have been critical in improving officials, including members of Congress, state governors, and even Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and expanding our effortsAntonin Scalia."<ref name=thinkprogresspost>{{cite web|publisher=ThinkProgress|title=Lee Fang, "[http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2010/10/20/124642/beck-koch-chamber-meeting/ MEMO: Health Insurance, Banking, Oil Industries Met With Koch, Chamber, Glenn Beck To Plot 2010 Election|url=]," ''ThinkProgress'', October 20, 2010. Accessed June 30, 2010.</ref> The meetings involve fundraising, reportedly in the millions of dollars, as well as discussions about political strategy.<ref>Lee Fang, "[http://thinkprogresswww.republicreport.org/2010/10/202012/beck-koch-chamber-meeting/|accessdate=2010-10indian-31|author=Lee Fang|date=2010wells/ EXCLUSIVE: Koch Brothers Convene Ultra-10-20}}Secret Billionaires Meeting To Raise Funds, Plot Strategy]," ''Republic Report'', February 3, 2012. Accessed June 30, 2014.</ref></blockquote> The known locations, dates, and participants in Koch network meetings are listed below.
{{Template:KochConnection}}
==Koch Donor Summits and Known Attendees==
===January 2019, Indian Wells, California===
At a luxury resort in the California desert, 634 donors who are committed to giving $100,000 dollars or more to Koch Network organizations. Of those 634, 181 are new donors this year. Reports from the summit say that the Network decided to take a more "politically muted tone than in years past." Kentucky Governor [[Matt Bevin]], and Senators Ben Sasse
and Mike Lee were slated to be in attendance.<ref>SALLY HO [https://www.apnews.com/2930f1f88d4d4d60b3f3880e4be8dbf1 Muted political tone at largest Koch donor network meeting] ''Associated Press'' January 26, 2019</ref> Divisions between the Koch Network and the GOP were apparent as the Network stated intention to curtail partisan efforts within politics and the [[RNC]] stated "it does not plan to renew a data-sharing agreement with the Koch network for the 2020 cycle, after years of working in tandem to enrich voter files for GOP campaigns and state parties."<ref>Michelle Ye Hee LEE [At Koch gathering, a turn away from partisan politics https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/at-koch-gathering-a-turn-away-from-partisan-politics/2019/01/28/5fcf3dac-22a2-11e9-90cd-dedb0c92dc17_story.html?utm_term=.7278b63e6fc1] ''Washington Post'' Jan 28, 2019</ref>
===January 2017, Indian Wells, California===
At the 2017 Koch Donor Summit in California, the Koch network announced that they plan to spend between "$300 million and $400 million to influence politics and public policy over the next two years."<ref name="ts">Tina Sfondeles, [http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/rauner-attending-koch-brothers-summit-in-california/ Rauner attending Koch brothers’ summit in California], ''Chicago Sun-Times'', January 29, 2017.</ref> Most of the money will be used to fund the [[astroturf]] efforts of Koch groups like [[Americans for Prosperity]], [[Generation Opportunity]], [[Libre Initiative]], and [[Concerned Veterans for America]].<ref name="ts"/> Over 550 donors were in attendance for the summit with each willing to contribute at least $100,000 a year to the network.<ref name="ts"/>
Elected officials in attendance at Indian Wells included: Wisconsin Governor [[Scott Walker]], Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, Sen. Patrick J. Toomey (PA), Sen. David Perdue (GA), Sen. Ben Sasse (NE), Sen. Mike Lee (UT) and Sen. James Lankford (OK), Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT) and Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN).<ref> Matea Gold and James Hohmann, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/01/30/scott-walker-tells-republicans-its-put-up-or-shut-up-time/?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.fb1fa1abcc82 Scott Walker tells Republicans: ‘It’s put up or shut up time’], ''Washington Post'', January 30, 2017.</ref> Nobody from the Trump administration was reported to be in attendance.
===July-August 2016, Colorado Springs, Colorado===
[[File:Kochreading1.png|180px|thumb|right|2016 Koch Summit Reading list, Page 1]]
[[File:Kochreading2.png|180px|thumb|right|2016 Koch Summit Reading list, Page 2]]
[[Charles Koch]] and his network will not support Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] or [[Donald Trump]] in the 2016 US presidential election, he stressed at the Koch donor summit in Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 30-August 1, 2016.<ref name="sp">Steve Peoples, [http://bigstory.ap.org/article/0e2705615be8411fb05c03b5e7583cf8/koch-donors-gather-weekend-retreat Billionaire's aide says no plans to help Trump], ''Associated Press'', July 30, 2016.</ref> Koch Industries general council and senior vice president, [[Mark Holden]] said that, "from a values, and beliefs and policy perspective," neither candidate interests the Kochs.<ref name="sp"/> Instead, the massive Koch donor network is "focused on the Senate."<ref name="sp"/> [[Americans for Prosperity]] president [[Tim Phillips]] echoed Holden when he was quoted by ''CBS News'' as saying, "We're not engaged on the presidential."<ref>AP, [http://www.cbsnews.com/news/charles-koch-i-cant-support-either-candidate-hillary-clinton-donald-trump/ Charles Koch: "I can't support either candidate"], ''CBS News'', July 31, 2016.</ref>
The ''AP'' reported that,
:"The weekend's agenda for the estimated 400 donors gathered in Colorado Springs featured a series of policy discussions and appearances from several elected officials in addition to (Paul) Ryan: Wisconsin Gov. [[Scott Walker]], Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, Texas Sen. [[John Cornyn]], Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Utah Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Mike Pompeo of Kansas. Rep Jason Chaffetz of Utah and Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado."<ref name="sp"/>
Koch said at the meeting that the donor network will spend roughly $750 million in the 2016 election cycle.<ref name="sp"/> Matea Gold of the ''Washington Post'' wrote that roughly $250 million of this will be used to finance "the policy and political campaigns of groups such as [[Americans for Prosperity]], [[Freedom Partners]] Action Fund, [[Concerned Veterans for America]], the [[Libre Initiative]] and [[Generation Opportunity]].<ref>Matea Gold, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/koch-network-seeks-to-defuse-donor-frustration-over-trump-rebuff/2016/08/01/7247b8c2-579a-11e6-831d-0324760ca856_story.html?postshare=4511470025965455&tid=ss_tw Koch network seeks to defuse donor frustration over Trump rebuff], ''Washington Post'', August 1, 2016.</ref>
==="Unprecedented" Spending Plans for 2016 Election Cycle===
At the January 2015 Koch network meeting, it was revealed that the network planned to spend $889 million on the 2016 election campaign, a goal the ''New York Times'' called "unprecedented" and which "would put it on track to spend nearly as much as the campaigns of each party’s presidential nominee."<ref name="budget on par"/>
In October 2015, the network had reportedly "raised and ha[d] commitments for about $600m," and donors associated with the network had contributed at least $20 million to Super PACs supporting Republican candidates, ''The Guardian'' reported, including:
:"Arizonan Randy Kendrick, a wealthy conservative who has donated $100,000 to a pro-Rubio Super Pac and is also a leading fundraiser for his campaign committee in her home state of Maryland. Kendrick is a regular attendee at the Kochs’s semiannual retreats.
:"Ken Griffin, who runs Citadel, a large Chicago hedge fund, and has donated to Koch network projects. Griffin also chipped in $100,000 to the pro-Rubio Super Pac, and $100,000 to the pro-Jeb Bush super Pac, Right to Rise USA.
:"Hedge-fund mogul Robert Mercer, a big donor to the Koch network, who poured $11m into the pro-Cruz Pac, Keep the Promise I, of which $500,000 was shipped to the Fiorina-supporting Super Pac, Carly for America.
:"Helen Schwab, the wife of investor Charles Schwab, a longtime donor to the Koch network, who gave $1.5m to the Jeb Bush-supporting Super Pac, Right to Rise USA."<ref>Peter Stone, "[http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/06/koch-brothers-network-donors-republican-super-pacs Koch network donors have already shelled out $20m to GOP Super Pacs]," ''The Guardian'', October 6, 2015.</ref>
===August 2015, Dana Point, California===
The Koch network held its 2015 summer meeting July 31-August 2 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach luxury resort in Dana Point, California. According to ''Politico'', about 450 donors attended. Attendees included several Republican candidates for President: former Florida Governor [[Jeb Bush]], Texas Senator [[Ted Cruz]], former CEO of [[Hewlett-Packard]] [[Carly Fiorina]], Florida Senator [[Marco Rubio]], and Wisconsin Governor [[Scott Walker]].<ref name="2015 love fest"/>
''Politico'' also reported that several elected officials in attendance spoke about the influence of the Koch's donor network. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey "recalled that he attended a previous conference as a donor before being elected to his state’s top office last year. 'Every time I’ve been invited to this conference, I’ve benefited from this conference,' he said." Senators Ben Sasse (R-NE), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), all first elected in 2014, "credited Koch network donors for helping the GOP take control of the Senate that year. 'Your help over the last election cycle produced the numbers that we have today,. Scott said [...] 'The major contributions and investments that you have made have played a major role."
Click [http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-08-04/read-charles-koch-s-speech-to-conservative-mega-donors here] for a transcript of [[Charles Koch|Charles Koch's]] speech.
Others reportedly in attendance included:
* [[Art Pope]], "longtime Koch network donor," CEO of Variety Wholesalers,<ref name="2015 love fest"/> director of the [[Pope Foundation]]
* Kellie Peters, "major Ohio donor focused on education reform"<ref name="2015 love fest"/>
* [[Nancy Pfotenhauer]], board member of [[Americans for Prosperity]]<ref name="2015 love fest"/>
* Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO)<ref name="koch 2015 warriors">Kenneth P. Vogel, "[http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/charles-koch-blasts-parties-for-corporate-welfare-120901.html Charles Koch: We're warriors 'seeking to right injustices']," ''Politico'', August 1, 2015.</ref>
* Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH)<ref name="koch 2015 warriors"/>
* Former Indiana Governor [[Mitch Daniels]]<ref>Julie Bykowicz, "[http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/scott-walker-compares-koch-donor-conference-to-prior-tea-party/article_1b20e305-9061-5c8a-827e-6adc062dd528.html Scott Walker compares Koch donor conference to prior tea party rallies]," ''Associated Press''/''Wisconsin State Journal'', August 2, 2015.</ref>
''Politico'' also reported that New York hedge fund tycoon [[Robert Mercer]] was a Koch network donor.<ref name="2015 love fest"/>
====Controversy Over "Strings Attached" to Media Access====
This was the first summit that allowed major newsmedia to attend, but only after reporters agreed to certain conditions. Nine media organizations reportedly agreed: ''Associated Press'', ''Bloomberg News'', ''CNN'', ''Politico'', ''Time Magazine'', ''USA Today'', ''The Wall Street Journal'', ''The Washington Post'', and ''The Washington Times''.<ref name="media won't name"/>
''Politico'' reported that it attended the summit "on the condition that donors spotted there not be named unless they agreed to be identified." One of its staff members, Mike Allen, also conducted a set of on-stage interviews with presidential candidates during the summit.<ref name="2015 love fest">Kenneth P. Vogel, "[http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/koch-love-fest-in-california-120928.html?hp=t3_r Koch love fest in California]," ''Politico'', August 3, 2015.</ref>
Michael Calderone of ''The Huffington Post'' raised concerns about the restrictions: "The problem is that the ground rules could restrict journalists from reporting what's right in front of their eyes... So it’s possible journalists end up reporting largely what the event sponsors want, such as fiery speeches and candidate remarks criticizing Democrats, but less on the power brokers attending who play key behind-the-scenes roles in the 2016 election."<ref>Michael Calderone, "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/journalists-private-koch-brothers-donors_55bde43ee4b0b23e3ce30e48 Journalists Attend Private Koch Brothers Gathering, But Agree Not To Name Donors]," ''Huffington Post'', August 2, 2015.</ref>
''The Undercurrent'', which was also at the resort but "was not granted any special access," criticized media for agreeing to the restrictions, writing, "The presence of major media companies at the retreat lends the Koch operation the appearance of transparency, essentially white-washing activities that are corrosive to American democracy."<ref name="media won't name">Lauren Windsor, "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-windsor/mainstream-media-wont-nam_b_7928646.html Mainstream Media Won't Name Koch Donors, But We Will]," ''The Undercurrent''/''Huffington Post'', August 5, 2015.</ref>
===January 2015, Palm Springs, California===
According to ''Politico'', the Koch network planned to hold its winter meeting the weekend of January 23 at a hotel in Palm Springs, California. Sources told ''Politico'' that Republican politicians including "Sens. [[Ted Cruz]] of Texas, [[Rand Paul]] of Kentucky and [[Marco Rubio]] of Florida, and Gov. [[Scott Walker]] of Wisconsin received coveted invitations to speak to the vaunted network assembled by the billionaire industrialist megadonors Charles and David Koch."<ref>Kenneth P. Vogel, "[http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/koch-brothers-ted-cruz-rand-paul-marco-rubio-scott-walker-2016-elections-114386.html?hp=rc1_4 4 GOP hopefuls expected to attend Koch event]," ''Politico'', January 21, 2015. Accessed January 21, 2015.</ref> Walker's plans to attend were confirmed by a campaign spokesperson.<ref>Matthew DeFour and Scott Bauer, "[http://lacrossetribune.com/news/state-and-regional/update-gov-scott-walker-reportedly-attending-private-koch-brothers-event/article_01d60371-5f11-5027-8143-2eabc9081df8.html Gov. Scott Walker attending private Koch brothers event]," ''LaCrosse Tribune'', January 21, 2015. Accessed January 21, 2015.</ref>
At the meeting, it was revealed that the network planned to spend $889 million on the 2016 election campaign, a goal the ''New York Times'' called "unprecedented" and which "would put it on track to spend nearly as much as the campaigns of each party’s presidential nominee."<ref name="budget on par">Nicholas Confessore, "[http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/27/us/politics/kochs-plan-to-spend-900-million-on-2016-campaign.html Koch Brothers’ Budget of $889 Million for 2016 Is on Par With Both Parties’ Spending]," ''New York Times'', January 26, 2015. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref>
:“It’s no wonder the candidates show up when the Koch brothers call,” said [[David Axelrod]], a former senior adviser to [[Barack Obama|Mr. Obama]]. “That’s exponentially more money than any party organization will spend. In many ways, they have superseded the party.”<ref name="budget on par"/>
===June 2014, Dana Point, California===
The June 2014 Koch conference appears to have been held at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, near San Diego, California. The entire hotel was reserved under the name "T&R Sales Meeting" for the weekend of June 14-17, and "guests who weren’t part of the conference [...] were escorted out of the hotel by security on Saturday afternoon."<ref name="kpbs secret">Joanne Faryon and Brad Racino, "[http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/jun/16/secret-summit-24-hours-koch-brothers/ Secret Summit: 24 Hours With The Koch Brothers]," KPBS, June 16, 2014. Accessed June 17, 2014.</ref> Reporters who were among those escorted out reported that the conference theme was "American Courage, Our Commitment to a Free Society" and attendees appeared to be discussing new Common Core education standards and the IRS investigation of political non-profits.<ref name="kpbs secret"/> A new super PAC, [[Freedom Partners Action Fund]], was also announced at the summit, according to ''Politico''. It "aims to spend more than $15 million in the 2014 midterm campaigns."<ref>Kenneth P. Vogel and Darren Goode, "[http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/2014-elections-koch-brothers-super-pac-107926.html Kochs launch new super PAC for midterm fight]," ''Politico'', June 16, 2014. Accessed June 17, 2014.</ref>
*[[Charles Koch Institute]]
*[[Generation Opportunity]]
====Audio of Koch Politicians====
Audio recordings of some portions of the meeting were obtained by ''The Undercurrent'', ''Huffington Post'', and ''The Nation.'' The recordings included speeches by three Republican Senate candidates: Iowa state Sen. Joni Ernst, Arkansas Rep. Tom Cotton, and Colorado Rep. Cory Gardner,<ref name="huffpo recording">Sam Stein, "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/26/koch-brothers-ernst-cotton-gardner_n_5718773.html?1409113517 At Koch Retreat, Top GOP Senate Candidates Credited Koch Network For Their Rise]," ''Huffington Post'', August 26, 2014. Accessed September 2, 2014.</ref> and remarks by Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).<ref name="nation recording">Lauren Windsor, "[http://www.thenation.com/article/181363/caught-tape-what-mitch-mcconnell-complained-about-roomful-billionaires-exclusive Caught on Tape: What Mitch McConnell Complained About to a Roomful of Billionaires (Exclusive)]," ''The Nation'', August 26, 2014. Accessed September 2, 2014.</ref>
Ernst credited the Koch network with advancing his career, saying "But the exposure to this group and to this network and the opportunity to meet so many of you, that really started my trajectory." Cotton highlighted the role of Koch-funded [[Americans for Prosperity]]: ""Americans for Prosperity in Arkansas has played a critical role in turning our state from a one-party Democratic state [inaudible] building the kind of constant engagement to get people in the state involved in their communities."<ref name="huffpo recording"/>
McConnell attacked campaign finance limits, saying that "The worst day of my political life was when President George W. Bush signed McCain-Feingold into law in the early part of his first administration." He also described plans to "go after" Democrats by using attaching riders to spending bills. "No money can be spent to do this or to do that. We’re going to go after them on healthcare, on financial services, on the Environmental Protection Agency, across the board [inaudible]. All across the federal government, we’re going to go after it."<ref name="nation recording"/>
The recordings and transcripts are available here: [http://ladylibertine.net/2014/08/26/mmky/ McConnell's remarks], [http://ladylibertine.net/2014/08/26/u-s-senate-candidates-speak-at-koch-donor-summit/ Senate candidates], [http://ladylibertine.net/2014/08/26/koch-operatives-discuss-senate-strategy/ Koch operatives].
====List of Attendees====
<tr><td>Sen. [[Mitch McConnell]]</td> <td></td><td> Republican, Kentucky</td> </tr>
<tr><td>Sen. [[Marco Rubio]]</td> <td></td> <td>Republican, Florida</td> </tr>
<tr><td>State Sen. [Joni Ernst]]</td> <td></td> <td>Republican, Iowa</td> </tr>
<tr><td>[[Rich DeVos]]</td> <td></td> <td>co-founder of [[Amway]], owner of the Orlando Magic</td> </tr>
<tr><td>[[Gavin Herberg]]</td> <td>pharmaceuticals</td> <td>founder, [[Allergan]]; major funder of [[ALEC]]</td> </tr>
===August 2013, Albuquerque, New Mexico===
''Politico'' reported that the summer 2013 Koch summit was held just outside Albuquerque "at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort in Bernalillo, N.M., which was completely booked and had its entrances blocked to traffic."<ref>Kenneth P. Vogel and Jake Sherman, "[http://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/eric-cantor-paul-ryan-koch-brothers-95294.html Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan headlined Koch summit]," ''Politico'', August 7, 2013. Accessed June 11, 2014.</ref> Attendees reportedly included Republican House Majority leader [[Eric Cantor]], Rep. [[Paul Ryan]] (R-WI), New Mexico Gov. [[Susana Martinez]], and [[Arthur Brooks]] of the [[American Enterprise Institute]].
===April 2013, Palm Springs, California===
===June 2011, Vail, Colorado===
''Politico ''reported that Texas Governor Rick Perry and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, both Republicans, attended the June 2011 Koch retreat in Colorado.<ref name="vogel">Kenneth P. Vogel, "[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57888.html Bob McDonnell, Rick Perry at latest Koch brothers summit]," ''Politico'', June 26, 2011. Accessed June 9, 2014.</ref> Also reported to be in attendance were Wisconsin businessman Fred Young, a major donor to Republican Governor [[Scott Walker]],<ref>Brendan Fischer, "[httphttps://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/09/11010/wealthy-wisconsin-heir-speaks-koch-brothers-meeting Wealthy Wisconsin Heir Speaks at Koch Brothers Meeting]," ''PR Watch'', September 8, 2011. Accessed June 11, 2014.</ref> and Andrew P. Napolitano, a [[Fox News]] host and former New Jersey Supreme Court judge.<ref name="exclusive audio">Brad Friedman, "[http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/09/exclusive-audio-koch-brothers-seminar-tapes Exclusive Audio: Inside the Koch Brothers' Secret Seminar]," ''Mother Jones'', September 6, 2011. Accessed June 11, 2014.</ref> A full list of attendees is not available for this meeting.
====Donors highlighted at Vail summit====
|publisher=Center for Media and Democracy
|title=Is Your Underwear Undermining Your Values? What Is Jockey's CEO Doing at a Tea Partiers' Convention and with David Koch?
|url=httphttps://www.prwatch.org/node/10506
|accessdate=2011-03-30
|author=Lisa Graves
<tr><td>[[Tim Phillips]]</td> <td>Advocacy Group</td> <td>president, [[Americans for Prosperity]] </td> </tr>
<tr><td>[[Ramesh Ponnuru]]</td> <td>Media</td> <td>Columnist, [[National Review (magazine)]] </td> </tr>
<tr><td>[[Russell Roberts | Russ Roberts]]</td> <td>Attorney? (wrong man, I think; Economist.)</td> <td>[[Roberts, Ashby & Parrish]](if the attorney); [[George Mason University]] economics professor</td> </tr>
<tr><td>[[Peter Schiff]]</td> <td>Investor</td> <td>[[Schiff]] : [[Euro Pacific Capital]] Inc. (son of Irwin Schiff of the United States tax protester movement)</td> </tr>
<tr><td>[[Michael Sullivan]]</td> <td>Investment Services (???)
</table>
===Earlier summits Summits - politiciansPoliticians, Supreme Court justicesJustices, and Other Attendees===Charles Koch's invitation letter to the January 2011 summit also noted that previous guests have included politicians and Supreme Court justices. The politicians included Governors [[Haley Barbour]] and [[Bobby Jindal]]; Senators [[Jim DeMint]] and [[Tom Coburn]] and Representatives [[Mike Pence]], [[Tom Price]] and [[Paul Ryan]].<ref>Kate Zernike, "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/us/politics/20koch.html?_r=2&ref=politics&pagewanted=allSecretive Republican Donors Are Planning Ahead]," ''New York Times'', October 19, 2012. Accessed June 10, 2014.</ref> Supreme Court Justices [[Antonin Scalia]] and [[Clarence Thomas]] have attended these events. According to Salon, "Thomas claimed he just made "a brief drop-by" at the Koch brothers' January 2008 Palm Springs political retreat to give a talk; in fact he was reimbursed for four days of “transportation, meals and accommodations” by the Federalist Society.<ref>Joan Walsh, "[http://www.salon.com/2011/02/16/robber_baron_justice/ Robber baron justice]," ''Salon'', February 15, 2011. Accessed June 10, 2014.</ref> The attendance of Thomas and Scalia has sparked debate over judicial ethics and the 2010 [[Citizens United]] decision.<ref>Sam Stein, [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/20/scalia-thomas-koch-industries_n_769843.html Justices Scalia And Thomas's Attendance At Koch Event Sparks Judicial Ethics Debate], HuffPo, October 20, 2010.</ref> Common Cause filed a petition with the Justice Department in January 2011 alleging a conflict of interest for these Justices, as David and Charles Koch operate foundations that contribute to political groups, which might benefit from relaxed campaign finance rules.<ref>Eric Lichtblau, [http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/us/politics/20koch.html Advocacy Group Says Justices May Have Conflict in Campaign Finance Cases], NY Times, Jan 19, 2011, accesed July 10, 2011.</ref> Common Cause has also noted that the Cato Institute, which Charles Koch founded, filed an amicus brief in ''Citizens United'' opposing campaign finance.<ref>Derek Cressman, [http://www.commonblog.com/2011/02/23/did-james-bopp-conspire-with-koch-industries/ Did James Bopp Conspire With Koch Industries], Commonblog.com, Feb 23, 2011, accessed July 11, 2011.</ref> The Center for Competitive Politics also filed a brief in the case; the Center is headed by Bradley Smith, who is affiliated with the Institute for Humane Studies where Charles Koch is Chair of the board and funder.<ref> [http://www.theihs.org/guest-lecturers/bradley-smith Brad Smith bio], Institute for Humane Studies, accessed July 10, 2011.</ref>
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