Americans for Honesty on Issues
Americans for Honesty on Issues (EIN: 134341094), a 527 committee that ran attack ads against nine Democrat candidates in the 2006 mid-term elections[1] "funded with $3 million" from Texan Bob Perry, filed a termination report with the I.R.S. on June 20, 2007, according to the Federal Election Commission. "The group spent more than $2 million on ads critical of ten Democratic Party candidates in 2006. For the period 1/1/07 to 6/14/07 the group received $24,211 and spent $226,559. The group refunded $8,544 to Bob Perry."[2]
The committee's stated purpose was "to engage in political issue communications in compliance with Federal and state laws."
Although the political action committee incorporated the word "honesty" in its name, little honesty was employed by the organization regarding information about itself.
Contents
Personnel
The only name provided by the organization to the Internal Revenue Service in conjunction with the organization is that of Sue Walden, who was listed as both the contact person and custodian of records.
The New York Times reported that Walden, the leader of Americans for Honesty on Issues, is "a close ally of Tom DeLay". Walden "has also raised money for President Bush and served as an adviser to Kenneth L. Lay, the former chief executive of Enron who died in July." When reporter John Broder sought a comment from Walden he was referred to Glenn M. Willard, "a lawyer with Patton Boggs in Washington, who drew up the papers establishing the organization."[3]
Address
The organization's address is for a mailbox service located in a UPS store at 107 South West Street in Alexandria, Virginia. This address was provided by the organization to the Internal Revenue Service.
Using an Alexandria, Virginia, city guide, KUSA-TV in Denver, Colorado, confirmed that it is the address for a UPS Store. An online search using the address confirms this. There are a number of businesses using the same street address; however, most also list a box number as well.
Additionally, an October 12, 2006, telephone call to the UPS Store confirmed that the address belongs solely to the UPS Store, which occupies a single building. The UPS Store confirmed that it provides both long- and short-term mailbox services to its customers.
Website
The AMERICANSFORHONESTYONISSUES.COM website provides scant information on its "About Us" page. The only information provided is the lone statement "Americans for Honesty on Issues is organized to engage in political issue communications in compliance with Federal and state laws."
Domain Name
The AMERICANSFORHONESTYONISSUES.COM domain name was created August 28, 2006. The domain name registrant, which is also given as the administrative and technical contact, remains anonymous—Domains by Proxy, Inc.—and the domain is registered through GoDaddy.com.
Contact Details
Americans for Honesty on Issues
107 South West Street
Alexandria, VA
Email: Americans AT AmericansforHonestyonIssues.com
Website: http://www.americansforhonestyonissues.com
Resources and articles
References
- ↑ John M. Broder, "As Election Nears, Groups Plan Negative Ads," New York Times, October 11, 2006.
- ↑ Information is according to Political Money Line for the June 27, 2007, look up date. There is no individual link to this citation.
- ↑ John M. Broder, "As Election Nears, Groups Plan Negative Ads," New York Times, October 11, 2006.
External articles
- "Group Headed by Enron Lobbyist and Major Bush Contributor Supports Whalen," IowaDemocrats.org, October 9, 2006.
- Adam Schrager, "TRUTH TEST: '527' attacks Perlmutter on helping illegal immigrants," 9news.com, October 9, 2006.
- Ed Tibbetts, "TV ad, nuclear test spark exchange between Braley and Whalen," WCF Courier, October 11, 2006.
- Greg Giroux, "Indiana Roundup: Democrats Making Progress in 2nd, 8th Districts," New York Times, October 11, 2006: "A Republican-aligned group, Americans for Honesty on Issues, is airing ads that criticize Ellsworth’s record as sheriff." re Brad Ellsworth
