Derailing Ralph

[AmyStrange]

Derailing Ralph
June 15, 2004

FROM: http://www.mojones.com/news/dailymojo/2004/06/06_515.html
One measure of how high are the stakes in this years election is the degree of scrutiny Ralph Nader's campaign is getting from Democrats and -- through them, presumably -- the media.

Sunday’s Washington Post reported that Nader ran his 2004 campaign from the same Washington office that housed Citizen Works, a charity he founded in 2001. The Post article questions whether the arrangement violates campaign finance laws or tax laws that prevent charities from assisting political candidates.

The article pointed out a number of potential overlaps between the campaign and the non-profit. One potential problem is the role of Nader campaign manager Theresa Amato, who is still listed as Citizen Works’ president in a January corporate filing. While Nader insisted there was "no wrongdoing," the Post quoted several experts who think otherwise. One law professor opined:

"It can't do this. It isn't just the rent. It is the things like the copiers, the telephones, the light bill, the heating, the furniture, the computers. At the hyper-technical level, all those questions matter."

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