How Some Politicians Exploit and Abuse Charity and Philanthropy And What Ought to Be Done to Stop It

The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy and the Community Service Society of New York sponsored a panel discussion, "How Some Politicians
Exploit and Abuse Charity and Philanthropy—And What Ought to Be Done to Stop It," hosted by OSI at its New York office.

The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, a philanthropic watchdog organization, has led the criticism against political abuse of nonprofits, and at times has been the lone voice speaking out against the use of nonprofits and foundations by Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN), Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), former Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), political operatives such as disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and most recently Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV). This panel, moderated by Rick Cohen, NCRP executive director, discussed specific cases of abuse, the extent and potential of the damage to the philanthropic sector of such abuses, and sector and government regulatory steps that need to be taken to prevent future abuse.

Program

Welcome:
Gara LaMarche
Vice President & Director of US Programs, OSI

Panelists

Lewis B. Cullman
Author of You Can't Take It with You: The Art of Making and Giving Money
Founder and President, Cullman Ventures, Inc.

Scott Harshbarger
Senior Counsel, Proskauer Rose LLP
Former President/CEO of Common Cause

Madeline Lee
Madeline Lee Consulting
Former CEO of the New York Foundation

Moderator
Rick Cohen
Executive Director
National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy