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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump Town: We need your help to unmask who is actually behind LLCs listed in officials financial
disclosures. Instead of focusing on President Trumps businesses, were looking more broadly at business interests in the Trump administration. Were also giving you, our listeners, homework.
Last month, ProPublica published the first comprehensive and searchable database of Trumps 2,685 political appointees, along with their federal lobbying and financial records. Its the result of a year spent filing Freedom of Information Act requests, collecting staffing lists and publishing financial disclosure reports.
Weve found plenty in the documents. We know there are lots of lobbyists now working at agencies they once lobbied (including one involving an herbicide that could affect the sexual development of frogs). We know there are dozens of officials whove received ethics waivers from the White House. We know there are special-government employees who are working in the private sector and the government at the same time.
Listen at: [link:https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/trump-inc-podcast-trump-ex-lobbyist-chemically-castrated-frogs|
Heres step-by-step-instructions on how you can dig in: [link:https://www.propublica.org/article/how-you-can-use-trump-town|
[link:https://projects.propublica.org/trump-town/|
Wwcd
(6,288 posts)I have read about tech moguls like Zuckerburg & others who put funds into an LLC, and distrubute charitable donations from those LLC's.
It is a round about way of protectiing all funds moved to the LLC, while still donating a determined amount to charities.
In the case at issue in the posted article, are the LLC's used to protect funneled (laundered or foreign) money, which is then given to campaigns or political kickbacks?
Does the LLC protect its source of funds?
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)Didn't Cohen open an LLC for Stormy's $130K?
This would be a fun project and a good idea to sic computer gurus onto the trail of Trump's employees and contributors. I'd love to do it myself, but doubt if I have enough computer savvy. The results will be interesting and, perhaps, put these questionable characters on notice to watch their step. There are just TOO many connections between Trump people...the Russians...crime.
blondebanshee
(353 posts)tax treatment while also protecting their owners assets. But some exist mainly to mask peoples identities. Exactly what LLCs can and cant do in the political realm depends on how they file tax returns: as corporations, or not. If not, their revenues, losses and so on are included on the personal returns of the individual or partners who own the LLC.
Corporate LLCs and LLPs (limited liability partnerships) cant donate directly to candidates; the noncorporate kind can, as long as they report the names of the individuals responsible for the donations. The contributions count toward an individuals giving limits ($2,700 per candidate per election, but theres no limit on gifts to super PACs.)
But many limited liability donations are reported with no names included. LLC donations have created this whole new realm of transparency problems.
A donation could also cross the legal line by allowing foreign or corporate funds to flow into an election.
Wwcd
(6,288 posts)No doubt there exists a temptation to stretch the legal limit thru foreign or corporate funds.
Good info