In Shades of the May 2010 council election Jamboree email list compromised by Paul Aronsohn
Use of the email list of any organization that accepts tax-exempt donations under 501(c)(3) for anything remotely related to political purposes, including municipal elections, violates federal tax law and could lead to an investigation, fines, and/or the loss of tax-exempt status.
From https://www.rhsjamboree.org/html/what_is_jamboree.html/:
“The Jamboree Scholarship Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) qualified charity and all contributions are tax deductible.”
Aronsohn’s CV says his undergraduate degree is in political communications. (That’s a major?) Did he skip class that day?
Jamboree officers might consider sending a follow-up message to the full Jamboree email list stating that the Aronsohn campaign message could damage Jamboree’s tax-exempt status and should be disregarded?
Shades of the recent school board election too, for that matter! Didn’t a certain candidate for a seat there also do something quite similar involving the mailing list of a tax-exempt group??
It is just another example of the many tactics Mr. Aronsohn has tried to use with just about everything for quite some time now. Some have become much more apparent recently – but tactics are what he’s about. His agenda is him — and only him.
It almost seems bipolar – but it’s not– it’s self-centered, tactics-laden politics — lotsa form, and not much real substance except to attack anyone and anything he perceives stands in his way. Divide and conquer, attack dog style politics- with all the hype, spin and other baloney that go with it. Sound familiar?
At least to me, that’s not what we need in local government here at all- and most especially right now. We need to work together and focus on real solutions — without all the noise of endless posturing, grandstanding and politics.
I hope enough people see him for what he is and vote accordingly. If they do, he will not be on the VC much longer.
Paul Arohnson took out a full page advertisement promoting himself (of course) in the Jamboree annual publication. The fact that the Jamboree then felt compelled to prostitute itself, its values, the school and our kids, is no suprise.
However; I’ll be calling the Bergen County Election Board in the morning!
I wounder what other list he used. RBA, LAX, Football?
I truly don’t understand your point. Jamboree raises money by selling ad space. Jeez, take a chill pill, friend. Selling an ad to a candidate does not prostitute Jamboree’s values, the school or our kids. It’s people like you with the never-ending melodrama that are causing these elections to be so ridiculously messy.
When he expected something in return it compromises their 5013C
Read the article #3, breaking the law is not a joke.
Sorry but using the email list of a tax exempt charitable organization to promote oneself for an election was very wrong for the school election and it’s very wrong for this Village election too.
It’s likely also illegal as the original poster noted, though I’m not a lawyer. It’s also very unfair and just plain wrong.
Putting an ad in a program is one thing, personally I don’t have a problem with that myself. To me that’s no different than most other such ads.
But using a tax exempt charitable organization’s mailing or email list for a political purpose is something quite different, and again likely illegal too.
A quote from the IRS web site is below.
(begin quote)
The Prohibition on Political Campaign Intervention
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. The prohibition applies to all campaigns including campaigns at the federal, state and local level. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes. Those section 501(c)(3) organizations that are private foundations are subject to additional restrictions that are not described in this fact sheet.
What is Political Campaign Intervention?
Political campaign intervention includes any and all activities that favor or oppose one or more candidates for public office. The prohibition extends beyond candidate endorsements. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made by or on behalf of an organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition on political campaign intervention. Distributing statements prepared by others that favor or oppose any candidate for public office will also violate the prohibition. Allowing a candidate to use an organization’s assets or facilities will also violate the prohibition if other candidates are not given an equivalent opportunity. Although section 501(c)(3) organizations may engage in some activities to promote voter registration, encourage voter participation, and provide voter education, they will violate the prohibition on political campaign intervention if they engage in an activity that favors or opposes any candidate for public office. Certain activities will require an evaluation of all the facts and circumstances to determine whether they result in political campaign intervention.
(end quote)
Some more info at this link:
https://www.blueandco.com/nfp_03082012.html