New Idaho Freedom Foundation group attracts criticism from centrist GOP

Since its inception in 2008, the charitable nonprofit Idaho Freedom Foundation has been criticized for what some say is questionable political activity, so this year the group formed a political advocacy nonprofit.

Every other entity that is engaged in the political activity they are engaged in has to file with the state as a PAC,” said Sandy Patano, president of the Republican North Idaho Political Action Committee. “When we raise money we have to disclose our donors’ names and how we spent their money in very detailed reports.

“The Freedom Foundation’s donors can get a tax deduction for their anonymous donations with the promise of Idaho Freedom Foundation becoming their political arm,” Patano continued. “They are operating as something other than what they claim to be.”

Patano said no matter what legal form the group takes to conceal the identities of its donors and its spending, the Idaho Freedom Foundation is engaged in the same activity as any other political group that is subject to disclosure. Full story. Jeff Selle, Cda Press