Posted on 06/27/2014 6:06:37 AM PDT by PoloSec
The American Red Cross has employed an expensive New York law firm in an attempt to hide information about how it spent Hurricane Sandy donations, ProPublica reports.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman wrote to the Red Cross last June requesting information regarding how the organization spent the money it received for Hurricane Sandy relief. ProPublica filed a public information request for the information given to the attorney general’s office, but Red Cross attorneys stepped in.
Gabrielle Levin, of New York’s Gibson Dunn, appealed the request and wrote to the attorney general’s office to block the release of information.
Levin wrote that the release of the information would be detrimental to the charity.
“The Red Cross objects to disclosure of the redacted portions of the documents” because those portions contain “highly proprietary and confidential … information.”
This confidential information would “cause substantial competitive and other injury to the American Red Cross.” I am unaware of any competition to the charitable organization. The American Red Cross is unique among charities as it has a federal charter from the United States Congress.
ProPublica has yet to receive the documents from the attorney general’s office regarding the spending of Hurricane Sandy donations, and Levin is attempting redact much of them.
The attorney general though is not having it. The Red Cross requested that a two-line title at the top of the page be redacted. One of those lines includes the title “American Red Cross.” In response the attorney general’s office, wrote, “I find the Red Cross has not demonstrated why this two line title is entitled to trade secret protection; without more, I cannot find that disclosure of this two line title will cause the Red Cross any economic injury.”
Psst ... don’t cough-up the books, bye-bye non-profit status.
Has Clara Barton responded yet?
In crisis situations, contribute to the Salvation Army, the Baptist men’s rebuilders, or to individual churches and families in the affected area. Never give to the over-paid bureaucrats in the Red Cross, who skim the lion’s share of the donations.
Is there ANY area of this Admin that isn’t lining their own pockets??? No accountability to the People from ANYWHERE! The most corrupt Admin in the history of this once great country.
Agree, completely.
We never donate cash to the Red Cross, United Way, no “national” big time organizations. Too much overheard too much money spent on trying to raise money.
and another good place to donate is http://www.teamrubiconusa.org/
The Salvation Army is THE best charitable organization...sure there are some others that worthwhile like the Fisher House foundation. We stopped contributing to Wounded Warriors after watching how much they spend on advertising and the CEO makes about $300,000 a year.
Katrina exposed the Red Cross as being inefficient and having too much overhead. Google charities and find those who give the lion's share to their causes.
When I found out that Elizabeth Dole had a salary of $500,000.00 yearly
from the Red Cross I NEVER donated another dime to the organization, it is disgusting that the head of the Red Cross has a salary
in this range, this money is donations for people who NEED help!!!!!
Salvation Army is my #1 organization money goes where it needs to go!!
I wonder if they funneled the money to Islamic terrorists, like they did with the massive donations from around the world after 9/11/01.
I’ve seen the RC in action up close and personal. They’ll not get so much as brass fArthing from me.
I sense another hard drive crash coming. After the Red Cross debacle associated with 9/11, this bunch needs to be closely monitored, or busted entirely.
The RC’s situation pre-dates ‘this Administration’. They have collected more than they distribute to needy for decades.
Highly proprietary and confidential. Things like expensive cars, vacations, casinos, and hookers.
It’s time to cancel tax exempt status for ALL nonprofits. Most of them are scams...
My house was flooded a few years ago when the river passed flood stage. Five feet of water in the basement, furnace and hot water heater ruined, everything in the basement ruined, etc. The Red Cross gave me a small plastic bucket (reminded me of what kids play with at the beach) and a mop. Gee, thanks, guys.
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