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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
Contact:

Adam M. Ratliff // 202.408.5565

CREW Exposes Roots of Shadowy Group Aiming to Influence Latino Voters

Powerful special-interest groups in Washington attempted to buy one
of California's Senate seats this year, Citizens for Responsibility and
Ethics in Washington (CREW) discovered. Today, as a result of an
extensive investigation, CREW released new information about the network
of conservatives behind American Principles in Action's (APIA) Latino
outreach initiative. As a result of the Citizens United decision, despite spending significant money on the race, the group never had to disclose its donors.

WASHINGTON

Powerful special-interest groups in Washington attempted to buy one
of California's Senate seats this year, Citizens for Responsibility and
Ethics in Washington (CREW) discovered. Today, as a result of an
extensive investigation, CREW released new information about the network
of conservatives behind American Principles in Action's (APIA) Latino
outreach initiative. As a result of the Citizens United decision, despite spending significant money on the race, the group never had to disclose its donors.

"The Citizens United decision is allowing obscure interest
groups like APIA to create the illusion of a grassroots movement," said
Melanie Sloan, CREW Executive Director. "This is straight out of
Hollywood. 60 years ago, the Wizard of Oz told Dorothy not to pay any
attention to the man behind the curtain, and now some of the richest
people in America are asking us to do the same."

Created by conservative activist Robert George, APIA and its
affiliate, the American Principles Project, has been involved in
campaigns against same-sex marriage, sex education and immigration
reforms. The group's key players have a history of creating grassroots
campaigns behind social initiatives like California's initiative against
gay marriage, while refusing to reveal who is footing the bill. In
fact, APIA even went to court in Maine to avoid complying with state
campaign finance disclosure laws - part of a pattern of evasiveness that
CREW's research discovered.

APIA is based in Washington DC, and shares several leaders and the
street address of a lobbying and public affairs firm with ties to many
other conservative groups with connections to Mr. George.

"If Mr. George or Beltway activists have a problem with a candidate,
they should come out and say so instead of hiding in the shadows and
letting their money do the talking," said Ms. Sloan. "The American
people have a right to know who is funding the groups influencing
elections."

CLICK HERE to read CREW's report on American Principles in Action.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials -- regardless of party affiliation -- who sacrifice the common good to special interests. CREW advances its mission using a combination of research, litigation and media outreach.