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Loading ...Mormon Church admits it spent 100 times more for Prop 8 than reported
02.02.2009 8:54am EST
(San Francisco, California) Six weeks into an investigation by California’s Fair Political Practices Commission, the Church of Latter-Day Saints has admitted that it spent nearly $188,000 more on the campaign to approve Proposition 8 that it had initially stated.
The Mormon Church previously insisted that it spent only $2,078 to support the ban on same-sex marriage, something LGBT leaders said was implausible in light of a number of visits to California by high ranking church officials, ads allegedly produced with church funds and the large number of church staffers working on the campaign.In November, Californians Against Hate filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission accusing the church of failing to report the value of work it did to support Prop 8.
An investigation began in late November.
In a new filing with the state, the church now admits that among other expenses were $96,849 for “compensated staff time” for church employees who worked on the campaign, $20,575 for the use of facilities and equipment at its Salt Lake City headquarters, $26,000 for audio-visual production and travel expenses for church leaders to go to California.
“This is exactly what we were talking about when we filed the suit,” Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate told the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Church put an estimated $25 million into the battle to end gay marriage in California.
If the Commission finds the Church broke state election laws it could be fined up to $5,000 per violation. The Commission also could file an additional civil lawsuit.
There have been protests at Mormon churches in California and Utah. In Utah, a number of churches were vandalized and hoax mailings containing a white powder were sent to Church leaders in Salt Lake City. No group has claimed responsibility, but some LDS officials have accused gays.
Later this year, the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case seeking to nullify Proposition 8, which overruled the court’s decision in May legalizing gay marriage.
Last week in a separate case, a federal judge has denied a request by supporters of Prop 8 to keep secret the names of donors. The group behind the measure said public disclosure of their financial supporters put the donors at risk of personal harassment or boycotts to their businesses.
In denying the motion, the judge said the public had a right to know who gave money to state ballot measures.
There, the Mormons finally admitted it-they lied. A church that lies and hide behind ‘tax free” facade should be stripped of that status. You are using my tax money to bash me-and I’m not going to take it anymore. You’re nothing but a business (for profit) of hate, bogotry and polygamy. May God have mercy on your souls.
It should be noted that in the case of the recently denied lawsuit to keep the names of donors private, they were trying to overturn a previous ballot initiative that requires the names be made public. Funny that they want to overturn the will of the people when it doesn’t bode well for them, but when it doesn’t bode well for others, then they think the voice of the people should be heard.
the no on 8 campaign outspent yes on 8. so how was donated mormon money the cause of losing? unfortunately, maybe the voters actually intended to vote the way they did.
I sent my “resignation” to the Mormon church on Nov. 5th. I also filed a complaint with the IRS for the violation and seeking to have the LDS’s tax-exempt status revoked. I would urge all concerned about the abuse from the Mormon church to do the same. And Shelly Girl – for the record, while the Mormon church may have “used” it’s members to do the contributing of 70% of the money spent on Prop 8, the Mormon church all but twisted its members arms to do so. Those who voiced opposition within the church in many cases were threatened by the church with disciplinary action….and for church members that is a big deal. So you can claim all you want that the church didn’t do this, that its members did…but when you have a belief system that all but takes the money from you and forces you to do something, to me, that is the “Church”. PS: I am also not a religious discriminator, I think all religious organizations that contribute or engage in politics should have their tax-exempt status revoked and would urge the gay community to continue to hound the IRS until we are heard!!!!
http://lds501c3.wordpress.com/ (site to get IRS information – process is easy to file a complaint).
KEEP UTAH OUT OF CALIFORNIA POLITICS!
Doesn’t this kind of political activism negate their “tax-free” status as a Church (instead of a PAC)?
Hit these bastards where their faith really lies…their wallets!
End their tax-exempt status immeadiately!
I hate the Mormon church..its a cult…a bunch of men got together and wanted a “heard” of mares…made it a religion..figured that would “sanctify” their foolishness…(come to think of it..thats how all the religions got started..)
No individual church should be singled out. Many churches preach hate.
Want to make a difference? Hit them in their pocketbooks. During this current economic downturn-we have an excellent opportunity to make an impact.
The public Does have the right to know who gave money.
Boycotting a business is a viable, non-violent option. People may not learn fairness, compassion, or human decency thru religion, But perhaps they can be taught that actions have repercussions.
Want to know who funded H8?! Here are some useful links. Please pass them along.
http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/527/americans_united_to_preserve_marriage.asp
http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/dishonorRoll2.html
Now does the mormon church lose it’s tax free status?
The Mormon church wasn’t “caught” in anything. The commission investigating the allegation by the “No on 8″ camp didn’t uncover this either.
Who was the person or group that shed light on this “lie?” It was the Mormon church itself, which was doing the obligatory filings by the January 31 deadline for such filings.
Sinister, indeed.
Scotty….go away.
And yes, churches can and do participate in political issues and debates constantly. They also hide behind their tax exempt status as they do so…hypocrites! What would Jesus say? He would turn over their money tables if history repeats.
If you want to have credibility in reporting this story, it might be wise to remember a few facts about the Mormon Church:
1. They don’t have a huge paid clergy. Most of the people who serve as full-time clergy are retired from other professions. Of those who work for the Church full time, they get a living expense at that is it. Don’t look for mega-rich types here.
2. If you hang your hat on that $188,000 donation as being a firm statistic, you are going to look like a fool when it is explained how loosely it was derived.
3. Mormons look like an easy target of anger but they represent only 3% of the State of California. The Gay Community has got bigger enemies that they are pretending don’t exist. Kicking Mormons won’t help a thing but build public opinion against the Movement.
4. It may shock (SHOCK!) some readers but Churches are allowed to take part in political debate on issues. Honest. Get over it. It works for all sides.
wow… all that money spent to deny gays marriage in 1 state… LOL! its not like gays are going to disapear out of california or anything! all that money could have gone to somthing useful!!! like… oh… I dont know, our economey mabye?!?!?!?! I am going to laugh so hard once we get marriage rights in california and the church doesnt get their money back!!!!!!