The IRS Scandal, Day 1080

Variety, Hollywood Conservative Organization Friends of Abe to Wind Down Current Structure:

Friends of Abe, the organization launched a decade ago as a fellowship for Hollywood conservatives, told members on Thursday that it would abandon its IRS 501(c)3 status, stop collecting sustaining membership dues and operating its website.

Instead, the organization will become a looser affiliation, although some of its founders denied that they are dissolving completely.

“The situation is we were always designed to be a fellowship and not an activist organization,” said writer-producer Lionel Chetwynd, one of the founders of the group. “But now is the time where everyone wants to do something. The community is aware of us. The town is aware of us. Every trade paper and news outlet is aware of us. We really don’t need to exist as a centrally focused private discreet organization. It is time to open the birdcage and fly.” ...

He said that discussions have been ongoing since last fall over the future of the organization, and costs have been a concern. Its profile has risen as a parade of nationally known GOP and conservative figures have addressed the group, including Cruz and Trump, as well as Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Paul Ryan. Its members have included Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton and Jon Voight, and Gary Sinise was its chief founder.

The group, which does not endorse or fundraise for candidates, had a high-profile dispute in 2014 with the IRS as it sought to obtain 501(c)3 non profit status, as the IRS expressed concerns over the political nature of its activities. The organization also refused to give the agency access to the portion of its website that included a membership roster, which it protects. The IRS eventually granted the status.

But retaining that status comes with costs, along with the cost of maintaining its website and other administrative expenses, as well as lawyers and accountants. According to IRS disclosure forms, the group took in $284,985 in revenue in 2013, compared with $241,680 in expenses. Sinise stepped away from the group’s leadership several years ago to concentrate on his foundation, which supports military veterans.

Newsmax, Hollywood's Lone Conservative Group Closing Down

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• The IRS Scandal, Days 901-1000 (Oct. 27, 2015 - Feb. 3, 2016)
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• The IRS Scandal, Days 701-800 (April 10, 2015 - July 18, 2015)
• The IRS Scandal, Days 601-700 (Dec. 31, 2014 - April 9, 2015)
• The IRS Scandal, Days 501-600 (Sept. 22, 2014-Dec. 30, 2014)
• The IRS Scandal, Days 401-500 (June 14, 2014 - Sept. 21,2014)
• The IRS Scandal, Days 301-400 (Mar. 6, 2014 - June 13, 2014)
• The IRS Scandal, Days 201-300 (Nov. 26, 2013 - Mar. 5, 2014)
• The IRS Scandal, Days 101-200 (Aug. 18, 2013 - Nov. 25, 2013)
• The IRS Scandal, Days 1-100 (May 10, 2013 - Aug. 17, 2013)

  Laws Slashing IRS Power Are Passing, With More Coming