The IRS and CAIR
by Frank Gaffney
On November 17, 2009, a prominent Senator and five leading Members of Congress sent a letter to the IRS asking for an investigation of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) concerning their possible violation of the Lobbying Disclosure Act which limits the expenditures a non-profit can spend on lobbying If CAIR has exceeded the limits of that law, they risk losing their non-profit status. Other penalties may be more severe: if the Secretary of the Senate or Clerk of the House of Representatives determines that CAIR should have registered and find “a knowing violation by a preponderance of the evidence,” CAIR could be “subject to a civil fine of not more than $200,000, depending on the extent and gravity of the violation,” and if CAIR “knowingly and corruptly failed to comply,” they could be subject to imprisonment up to 5 years. Our separate analysis of CAIR tax returns, compared to audio evidence recorded in 2006, reveals another potential issue for IRS investigators – more on that follows below…
The November 17 letter to the IRS was signed by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), Ranking Member on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations for the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The members of Congress signing the letter also have extensive experience in intelligence, counter-terrorism and investigations:
- Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC), Deputy Whip, founder of the Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus, who also serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
- Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), who serves on the Judiciary Committee and the Armed Services Committee
- Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA), who serves on the United States House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment
- Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ), who serves on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
- Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), who serves on the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Our own investigation revealed another problem CAIR may have with the IRS.
Their most recent publicly available tax return, from 2006, reports gross receipts for their annual fundraiser that are significantly less than they announced at the event itself. On that 2006 990 form, they reported that they had raised $89,775, but left blank (or zeroed) several key fields:
But our investigative team attended that 2006 annual CAIR event and recorded the fundraiser Master of Ceremonies, Rodwan Saleh of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, announcing that they raised much more than $89,775 – at least $250,000, and possibly as much as $600,000 due to a matching grant. Below is a partial transcript and the audio:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Partial Transcription:
RODWAN SALEH: We are now at $250,000. Takbir.
AUDIENCE: Allahu Akbar.
SALEH: Takbir.
AUDIENCE: Allahu Akbar.
SALEH: Now, listen carefully [unclear] requirements. There is a family, there is a family that says if we all now can put this amount of money from 250 to 300, they will match the 300. You understand what I’m saying? Now, so we need now to make sure that we get $50,000 in no time because if we can make 300 this family will put another 300 [unclear]. Did you hear me?
So here are two more questions for IRS investigators: Did CAIR raise only $89,775 at the fundraiser and if so, what happened to the rest of the $250,000 (or $300,000 0r $600,000)? Or did CAIR raise the larger amount, and if so, why did they report less to the IRS?
On November 3, 2009, we called CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad for comment on this apparent discrepancy. Mr. Awad said he would look into the matter and get back to us, but so far he has failed to do so.
CAIR’s supporters include foreign businesses and members of various Middle Eastern royal families, and at the 2006 annual fundraiser in question, tables were assigned to the embassies of Malaysia, Pakistan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Interests Section of Iran. The Holy Land Foundation terrorism finance trial documents, along with numerous Arab and English news articles, show CAIR receiving foreign contributions and pledges ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. During 2005 and 2006, CAIR had additional capital to purchase properties valued at over $10 million, as detailed in the investigative best-seller book Muslim Mafia.
Yet in 2006 their membership dues from actual Muslim Americans were only $41,383 - one percent of their total reported revenues of over $2.7 million.
One percent from Muslim Americans’ dues. And just $89,775 gross receipts from the annual fundraiser, partially reported to the IRS.
And 99% from…somewhere else.
Incidentally, we were able to obtain copies of the 2007 990 tax forms for fifteen CAIR chapters, and the 2008 990 tax forms for five CAIR chapters, but the CAIR national office has still not made public their 2007 and 2008 tax returns.
A key question for both the IRS and the Department of Justice: Is CAIR really an organization representing Muslim Americans, or is it representing the interests of foreign principals?
To be continued….
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
36 Comments
This one may turn out to be more fun to unravel than ACORN.
Some of this stuff is mind boggling.
It is inconcievable that the FBI and the DOJ allow this charade to go on, unabated.
"A key question for both the IRS and the Department of Justice: Is CAIR really an organization representing Muslim Americans, or is it representing the interests of foreign principals?"
Is this one of those asked and answered thingys? We can't even get an American criminal enterprise – ACORN, Big Union leadership et al – under the spotlight of real law enforcement.
And the truth about CAIR? 'We can't handle the truth!' Mr. Gaffney…keep the heat on. Doing nothing is not an option. Although this administration will do its best to try.
(I hear the 'race card' coming)
And who/what is leading the parade?
The president is too busy bowing down to heads of states to care about this:
http://americaspeaksink.com/2009/11/race-black-pr...
I suspect we know the answer to Dave Rooney's first question, but let's have it INVESTIGATED and let the light of day shine on it!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cole Younger, Barbara Simson. Barbara Simson said: The IRS and CAIR http://is.gd/4Y8oX [...]
It’s abundantly clear that this Big Gov does not have the where-with-all to turn a screw…or the ability to identify a screw. In other words they have the intelligence of a rock. Time to terminate their authority and responsibilities before their incompetence terminates us all.
I MADE THE CAIR WATCH LIST!
http://noliberalspin.blogtownhall.com/2009/11/18/...
They don't like it when you expose their corruption!
Eric Holder runs the DOJ and Obama pulls HIS strings and Barry's strings are pulled by Soros, who contributes to CAIR.
http://noliberalspin.blogtownhall.com/2009/11/18/...
woah.
Go get 'em! I am so done with this political correctness. We have been naive and negligent to allow these organizations to set up shop on our shores. This is as bad as the President allowing his website to be setup in such a way that foreign donations could be made and not tracked. (Did that happen? Well we cant tell for sure, can we, but the amounts certainly point to that happening. I mean, really, when you donate to a cause do you donate 25.68? No, you donate in round numbers… unless your currency exchange doesnt allow for that.)
You know what else I want? I want the peace-loving Muslims in this country to get mad and start speaking up. Not necessarily to out their fellow faith members, but to say they are not party to this craziness called jihad. I want them to denounce this behavior and show that they have some understanding of the amazing gift of liberty they are currently enjoying here in the United States.
It represents foreign principles…and is attempting to subvert American security. It's time to put a stop to this organization and either deport, or imprison those who are guilty of illegal activities
I'm with you. I want to know if American Muslims even take the time to read other then Muslim web-sites and papers. Something tells me they don't. I'm from a small GA town and was gone for about 30 years. I returned a couple of years ago and found out we had a mosque (rather large). I decided to do a little investigating, and it appears that, at least here, they only follow what the mosque puts out. Not very encouraging. I guess I'll have to see if this even gets a mention.
Pure and simple, Muslim allegiance is to Islam first. The country they happen to be in is rather inconsequential. They do not believe in what the majority of Americans believe in – Freedom of Religion and could CARE less, because to them, there is only one valid religion which is Islam. That doesn't seem fair to us but makes perfect sense to them, the only nonviolent way to solve the problem is for everyone to just convert to Islam and to live submissively and peacefully together. There you go – enjoy!
Another corrupt organization! All need to be investigated and shut down and/or fined if they are not following the laws of The United States.
CAIR believes that Muslims can take over the US in a bloodless coup by the year 2020. If I recall correctly, millions in stimulus money was given to them. So much for all those phantom jobs.
Obama also sent $800,000 million in stimulus money to Hamas and has encouraged 200,000 Hamas refugees to emigrate to the US. How many of them would be terrorists? More on the public dole accepting free healthcare and voting for The Won.
Folks, if an Army Captain can email terrorists and not even be questioned, what makes you think that CAIR will even get a phone call from the DOJ/FBI?
$800,000 million is meant to be $800 million. Excuse my error.
non-profits are basically untouchable as most are intimately intertwined with Congress, most are operating so far outside 501C3 law that they constitute criminal enterprises but because of the nature of our tax code they pretty much get a free ride.
We need to eliminate non-profits from the tax code, nobody should be exempt, even Muslims.
The current administration doesn’t believe in the rule of law, so CAIR is likely to get a pass unless you can come up with some really shocking video for the Fox News channel.
In case any of you haven't noticed the current administration has postured themselves as to not look like they are picking on any Muslims in even the slightest way. Being as though they control the Attorney General and the IRS, I don't think a damn thing is going to happen to CAIR even if they have concrete proof. Maybe slap a couple of hands but that is it. What I really feel sorry for is all the time and hard work the investigators will put in being wasted.
Yes, yes; a thousand times, yes.
I am so excited to see these investigations proceeding. We are at war against a theological and political movement that actively targets innocents. Anyone who supports these creeps deserves to be put under the microscope and subjected to justice.
Here's hoping that the American public's rejection of weak-kneed political correctness grows. As we've seen, it only leads to submission and death.
Christians are impugned when some guy gets it into his head that he's going to kill an abortion doctor in the name of Jesus. Christians have a responsibility to speak loudly and openly in the public forum, denouncing his actions and explaining precisely why his actions are counter to the Christian faith.
The Muslim community needs to do the same in response to violent jihadists and Bin Ladin's brand of Islam.
You got it bud. They force tolerance on the world but you and I are infidel dogs and should be murdered in the name of Islam. Just look at Europe, I really feel sorry for those guys. As far as I am concerned ALL Muslims are suspect unless they take a stand.
And I don't think they will. Just like myself (Christian) my god comes just before my country. And in this case, that loyalty kills Americans and it MUST be stopped.
I am sick of this CARE group. you can not convince me they are not a bunch of TERRORIST. They want to kill all of us. God help us when the American people have had enough. This is my COUNTRY not a bunch of people who want to kill us or convert us. I WILL GO DOWN FIGHTING WITH EVERY OTHER AMERICAN WHO BELEIVE IN OUR COUNTRY. screw this Americans 1st others who cares. i am tired of it. jeanette
Wake up america! This is a terrorist group (FBI reported it is so and they are non-indited co-cospirators inthe 1993 trade center attack) that is bribing our elected officals and evading our laws to destory us! They send money to hamas, hezbolla and who knows who else who are known terrorists! Wake up America! This has to stop! Muslims are not our friends, are not the religion of peace and will do all they can to kill us and dominate the world in the name of Allah! Wake Up america! They along with Obama are not here to make America better, they are here to Destory America! Take all of their property and jail the whole lot of the employees for their terrorist connections. The hell with the Mulsim royal families! They do not care about being allies only that they can line thier pockets and slowly or quickly destory us! Wake Up America! Call, write, Fax your congressman or senator and tell them to get these terroirists out of our country and then start kicking out the rest.
Impound their money it's ilegal funds thatwe can us to pay down our debt and impound their property as well they shouldn't be allowed to even set foot on our soil. They are our enemy no matter what they may say to try and fool you! They are not fooling me! Read the Koran! Pay atatention to what they are doing! Impeach Obama if he doesn't want to defend us against them! He is unfit to command and he needs to be sent packing back to his Muslim roots. Once a Muslim always a Muslim. They kill you if you change from Islam to Christianity! Obama's not dead is he's still a Muslim only he's a closet Muslim. Wake Up America! before your lose your rights and your children become slaves!
These pro-Muslim organizations have to go. They are just fronts for terrorists and they are laughing at the American people who are so stupid to elect cowards and traitors time after time. Look up the list of congress people who suport this terrorist group and don't vote for them! Wake Up America! don't elect Muslims to any office. They are only running to push Muslim values over ours and they want to steal your rights. Just Obama is trying to do with the help of traitors like Pelosi and Reid, Franks and Dodd and any other Washington clown who votes with them for personal profit! Teh whole system is corrutp and I say that CAIR is part of the corruption as they contribute money to many of our elected officals and they take it! CAIR is a terrorist organization and if they are taking their moeny then they must be with them and that makes them terrorists! Wake Up America! The Muslims have to go!Their supporters have to go as well! Save America and deport te Muslims and the progressives!
Criminals in CAIR, Criminals in congress, Criminals running the white house. A tax cheat running the U.S. treasury. No way they will go after the tax cheats in any democrat supporting organization. Democrats losing track of billions of dollars of taxpayer money in the stick it to us bill is a side issue for President O’Dumbo, the worst president in history. Old Dimmy Carter must be walking on a cloud, he doesn’t have to die with the record.
[...] Frank Gaffney at Biggovernment.com: On November 17, 2009, a prominent Senator and five leading Members of Congress sent a letter to [...]
Time for Glenn Beck to go after this criminal organization!
NGOs are more often involved in irs tax problems due to their special status and benefits. No wonder it's more of the case of any Islamic organization these days.
[...] PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE JIHAD– “On November 17, 2009, a prominent Senator and five leading Members of Congress sent a [...]
[...] Frank Gaffney has much more on CAIR at BigGovernment.com. See the IRS and CAIR for the latest. Posted in: CAIR, Gitmo, Islam Printer Friendly comments [...]
[...] case in U.S. history.Related: Frank Gaffney has much more on CAIR at BigGovernment.com.See the IRS and CAIR for the latest. Share and Enjoy:google_ad_client = "pub-3877091396723485"; /* 468×60, created [...]
What a bigoted bunch of anti-freedom of religion hypocrites I see writing here.