A right-wing blogger went through tax returns for Hannity’s Freedom Concerts , performances to raise money for veterans and their children. She alleged that most of the money goes on lavish expenses . The charity, and other bloggers, fought back. Conservative fight! The blogger, Debbie Schlussel , has some history with Hannity. In 2007 she accused him of ripping off her reporting (or something) in this screed . Schlussel says she was acting on a second-hand tip from a friend who had spoken to a friend at Fox News and alleged that, for the performances, Hannity got the use of “a Gulfstream 5 plane to fly him and his family/entourage to the concerts; a “fleet” (that’s the word the guy used) of either Cadillac or Lincoln SUVs for him and his family/entourage; and several suites at really expensive hotels for him and his family/entourage. The promoter apparently values Hannity’s star demands at well over $200,000 per event.” When she dug into the tax returns she found that in 2006 Freedom Alliance, the Oliver North-backed charity affiliated with the concerts, reported revenue of $10,822,785. But that only $397,900, or 3.68 per cent, went to troops or the children of troops while 62 per cent “went to “expenses,” including $979,485 for “consultants” and an “advisor.” … The tax forms show that “New World Aviation” got paid $60,601 for “air travel.” … And finally, that year, Freedom Alliance spent $1,730,816 on postage and shipping and $1,414,215 on printing, for a total of $3,145,031.” She found similar patterns in the returns from 2007 and 2008. Freedom Alliance has issued a response denying all of Schlussel’s claims. She counters that they’re now merely redefining the spending. Other right-wing bloggers respond that the reason so little money has been paid out is that it’s being held in a college fund for the children of veterans. It’s almost impossible, unless you’re an accountant or an expert on heated ‘I love our troops more’ right-wing feuds, to figure out whether Hannity is corrupt or Schlussel has an axe to grind. Or neither. Or both. But if you have any (non-rant-based) information to share, email at the address below.
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Right Wing Eats Itself Over Sean Hannity’s Charity [Charity]
