All articles tagged with #political funding
Originally Published 2 months ago — by The New York Times
A Florida grand jury is investigating the Hope Florida Foundation, linked to First Lady Casey DeSantis, over a $10 million donation from Centene that was used to fund political campaigns opposing a marijuana legalization measure, raising potential legal and political concerns.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Fortune
Charlie Kirk built Turning Point USA into a major conservative organization with nearly $85 million in revenue in 2024, supported by a vast network of over 500,000 donors and a growing media presence. His death at a Turning Point event has raised questions about the organization's future, but his legacy and influence in the American right remain significant.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by BBC.com
The Paris prosecutor has requested a five-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from political office for Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Rally party, over allegations of illegal party funding. Le Pen and 24 others are accused of misusing EU parliamentary funds to pay party workers. The proposed ban would take effect immediately, even if appealed, potentially barring Le Pen from the 2027 presidential race. Le Pen denies the charges, calling the prosecution's actions an attempt to undermine her party and restrict voter choice.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Reuters India
Santiago Martin, known as India's "lottery king", and his company emerged as the top political donor in India's opaque funding system, spending 13.68 billion Indian rupees between 2019 and 2024. The now-scrapped funding system allowed anonymous and unlimited donations to political parties. Martin, accused of fraud and money laundering, has a chequered history and has faced allegations of cheating state governments through his lottery business. Despite the defunct funding system being found unconstitutional, there is no suggestion of improper donations.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Al Jazeera English
India's Supreme Court has declared the electoral bond system unconstitutional, scrapping the seven-year-old election funding system that allowed anonymous and unlimited donations to political parties. The decision is seen as a setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP, the largest beneficiary of the system. The court directed the State Bank of India to cease issuing these bonds, disclose buyer identities, and provide information on redeemed bonds. Critics hailed the ruling as a win for transparency and democracy, addressing the public's right to know who funds political parties. The court's decision reinstated corporate donation limits and highlighted concerns about the influence of business transactions on the electoral process.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Al Jazeera English
India's Supreme Court has banned electoral bonds, a secretive source of political funding that has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for parties, particularly the ruling BJP. Introduced in 2018, electoral bonds allow anonymous donations to political parties, with the BJP receiving 57% of the total donations. Critics argue that the system promotes opacity, facilitates money laundering, and gives the ruling party an unfair advantage. The court's ruling could significantly impact the upcoming general elections and the role of untraced money in Indian politics.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Guardian
Tech billionaire Peter Thiel, who supported Donald Trump in 2016 and funded unsuccessful MAGA candidates in subsequent elections, has announced that he will not be funding any 2024 political races. Thiel described his support for Trump as a "not very articulate scream for help" and expressed disappointment with the outcome. He revealed that Trump had asked him for a $10 million donation, which he declined, leading to Trump insulting him to others. Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, cited the dysfunction of the government as a reason for his decision and mentioned his husband's opposition to further donations. He also discussed his initial interest in Trump due to a lawsuit outcome and his views on diversity initiatives and life-extension.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo News
Filings reviewed by Fox News Digital reveal that high-profile megadonors, including members of the Soros family, have played a significant role in fueling the political career of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is currently suing former President Donald Trump. Donors such as George Soros, Reid Hoffman, and Karla Jurvetson have contributed substantial amounts to James' campaign, with Soros alone donating at least $20,000. James has brought a civil lawsuit against Trump, alleging fraud and misrepresentation on his financial statements. The trial is being presided over by Judge Arthur Engoron, who has exclusively donated to Democrats in the past and has faced criticism for his views on juries.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Wall Street Journal
Democratic Senator Joe Manchin and his daughter, Heather Bresch, are pitching a $100 million project aimed at boosting centrist policies. The project, called "Country Roads PAC," aims to support candidates who prioritize bipartisanship and centrist solutions. Manchin and Bresch hope to counterbalance the influence of more progressive groups within the Democratic Party and promote a more moderate approach to policy-making.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by DW (English)
Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested and questioned by police as part of an investigation into the funding of the Scottish National Party (SNP), which she led from 2014 until March 2021. Sturgeon was released pending further investigation with no charges brought. The investigation began in July 2021 and intensified after Sturgeon's resignation. SNP treasurer Colin Beattie and Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell were also arrested in April as part of the investigation.