Newt Gingrich

Coal Interests Fueling Gingrich's Cash-Burning 527

Ryan J. Reilly and Melissa Jeltsen | December 16, 2010, 8:50AM

The recently released IRS filings of Newt Gingrich's American Solutions for Winning the Future makes a few things clear: the coal industry loves him; he's a fan of private planes; and for a self proclaimed fiscal conservative, he's getting a measly return on the millions he's throwing at a Christian telemarketing company that raises cash for the 527 group.

American Solutions, which is dedicated to "creating the next generation of solutions that will ensure the United States remains the safest, freest and most prosperous country in the world" -- raked in $14.5 million in contributions last year, according to IRS filings.

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Newt Gingrich

Gingrich's 527 Promotes Itself And Newt -- But Not GOP Candidates

Ryan J. Reilly | October 5, 2010, 9:24AM

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)

These days, in the wake of the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United, most so-called "527" groups -- able to accept unlimited contributions and hide the sources of their donations -- have taken to helping their favorite candidates and attacking their opponents in political advertisements.

Not Newt Gingrich's 527 group. The vast majority of expenses by American Solutions for Winning the Future from April-June 2010 went towards promoting both the organization itself and one man: Newt Gingrich.

American Solutions spent at least $2.3 million on fundraising activities, travel expenses and direct marketing in the months of April, May and June -- including over $1.4 million on direct marketing alone -- according to an analysis by TPMMuckraker. That's the majority of the $3.2 million the group spent altogether. The group took in $3.4 million in donations during that period.

The AP found in an earlier review that American Solutions spent nearly all of the $20 million it has raised in the past two years on administrative and travel expenses.

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Joe Arpaio

New 527 Established To Defend Sheriff Joe Against Obama

Ryan J. Reilly | September 9, 2010, 11:11AM

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio

There's a new 527 political organization on the scene this week with a very specific purpose -- defending Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Arpaio -- who describes himself as "America's Toughest Sheriff" -- was sued last week by the Justice Department for not cooperating with a civil rights investigation into whether his office discriminated his enforcement of immigration laws.

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