The movement’s triumphs are now visible but its engine remains hidden:
A billion-dollar network of groups, most of which are registered as tax-exempt charities or social welfare organizations.

Taking advantage of gaps in disclosure laws, they shield the identities of most of their donors and some of the recipients of the funds.

Among those who’ve been paid by the groups are leading thinkers and individuals with close personal ties to #Leonard #Leo — including a whopping $7 million to a group run by a close friend and his wife.

They also include a for-profit business for which Leo himself is chairman and which received tens of millions of dollars from his nonprofit network.

Leo’s role as the central figure in this movement has long been known, culminating in his acquisition last year of what many believe to be the largest political donation in history.

Few are aware of the extent to which the movement’s baby steps were taken in concert with #Ginni #Thomas.

Two months before the #CitizensUnited decision, but after the justices had signaled their intentions by requesting new arguments, attorney #Cleta #Mitchell — later to play a role in Donald Trump’s false claims about the 2020 elections — filed papers for Ginni Thomas to create a nonprofit group of a type that ultimately benefited from the decision.

Leo was one of two directors listed on a separate application to conduct business in the state of Virginia.

Thomas was president. She signed it on New Year’s Eve of 2009, and Crow provided much of the initial cash. A key Leo aide, #SarahField, would come aboard to help Thomas manage the group, which they called #LibertyCentral.

#darkmoney #clarencethomas #samuelalito #abortionban #scotus #MoneyIsNotSpeech #CorporationsAreNotPeople

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/10/ginni-thomas-leonard-leo-citizens-united-00108082