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Memo From Sen. Grassley's Office
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Published: December 6, 2007
MEMORANDUM
To: Reporters and Editors
Fr: Jill Gerber for Sen. Grassley, 202/224-6522
Re: Ministries' response to Nov. 5 inquiry
Da: Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007
On Nov. 5, Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, wrote to six media-based ministries for information regarding expenses, executive compensation, amenities given to executives, and board governance. The inquiry is part of Grassley's long-standing interest in making sure tax-exempt organizations are accountable to donors and to the taxpayers as a whole. Today was his requested deadline to hear from the six ministries. He made the following comment on the level of cooperation so far.
"It's good that some of the ministries are cooperating. I hope all of them will cooperate in the end. For the focus of this inquiry, ministries are the same as any other non-profit organization. It's a question of abiding by tax laws just like any tax-exempt group. I'm willing to give ministries more time if that's needed, as long as they're cooperating and in contact with my office. It'd be very unusual if they don't cooperate. I've looked at a lot of non-profit groups over the last five years, and they've all cooperated. The only possible exception is when I was chairman, and then-Ranking Member Baucus asked for my help in getting a subpoena for charities connected to Jack Abramoff. That was an extreme case."
Here is an accounting of the ministries' responses as of 5:30 p.m. Eastern time:
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland – Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Attorneys delivered a package of material to Sen. Grassley's staff today.
Creflo Dollar – World Changers Church International
Sent Sen. Grassley and Chairman Baucus a letter indicating that the ministry does not intend to provide information voluntarily and raised the idea of a subpoena.
Benny Hinn – World Healing Center Church, Inc.
Sen. Grassley's staff is scheduled to meet with the ministry's attorneys on Friday, Dec. 7.
Eddie Long – New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
Ministry representatives said publicly that the ministry will cooperate. Sen. Grassley has not received any material or contact from the ministry.
Joyce Meyer – Joyce Meyer Ministries
Sen. Grassley's staff received a package of material from the organization on Tuesday, Dec. 4, and is reviewing the material.
Randy and Paula White – Without Walls International Church
Today, received initial contact from attorneys. Said attorneys will contact Sen. Grassley's staff shortly. No indication of further response.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( picogator ) on December 6, 2007 at 9:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Now, just why would these not-for-profits be afraid of revealing their financial records. I have contributed to Without Walls International Church in Tampa; I am prayful they will be replying and not stonewalling via lawyers.
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Posted by ( Ari_Hinkelberger ) on December 6, 2007 at 9:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I worked on Capitol Hill for a couple of years in early 2000. Sen. Grassely isn't going anywhere. He is famous for this. He can't stand non-profit entites splurging on high end novelites like BMW's and Private jets. He nailed the head of the Smithsonian to the wall for his lavish lifestyle - while still pleading with congress for more money for muesuems. You can have all the lawyers you want, but when congress wants something, they usually get it. The only guy that can tell them to back off is the President, because he has executive privelage.
If you are doing what is right and not shamming the sytem, you have nothing to worry about. Not cooperating early only makes it worse.
Hilarious.
Grassley is SUPER popular in Iowa too.
I love it when he goes after these dirtball televangilists.
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Posted by ( irishpub12 ) on December 6, 2007 at 11:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Many kudos to the Senator. These ministries are flying on high cost ultra modern jets, buying wardrobes, gifts and perhumes at Tiffany's and Nemon Marcus. One was so loaded with gifts and cash it took three guys to assist loading-they can buy penthouses in New Yorkand Texas while parishioners live in Trailor Parks. Paula White should be ashamed and flies from Texas to New York while the rest of the Slicky Ministers eat steak, lobster and live like Land Barons. America wake up! Enough of your cash going to support slicky boy ministers and their minions. Go get em Senator!!!!!!
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Posted by ( GoNolz ) on December 7, 2007 at 10:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
No one in the central government, aside from the IRS, and then only in very narrow, prescribed ways, should be involving themselves in these ministries or any other ministry. Personally, I believe all these "ministries" are duping good people of money, faith, and giving false hopes in exchange for private lives that at best are hypocritical. All that being said though, Grassley has no right or reason to intrude. Folks, don't fall asleep on this...you might wake in a very different world!
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