Missouri Democrats file ethics complaint against dark money nonprofit
The Missouri Democratic Party is asking the state ethics commission to investigate whether a conservative nonprofit that has targeted the party’s presumptive gubernatorial nominee violated state law and should be forced to disclose its donors.
Lauren Gepford, the party’s executive director, filed an ethics complaint Tuesday against Liberty Alliance USA, a nonprofit that is owned by another nonprofit called Cornerstone 1791.
The complaint alleges that the nonprofit was created to work against the candidacy of state Auditor Nicole Galloway, the Democrat challenging Gov. Mike Parson this fall. Because of this, the complaint argues that the nonprofit shouldn’t be allowed to shield its donors from public view. It should be required to file disclosure paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission like a political action committee.
“Liberty Alliance has been releasing videos, statements, creating a website and soliciting donations all for the primary or incidental purpose of advocating against the election of Nicole Galloway for governor of Missouri,” the complaint says, later adding: “Liberty Alliance USA has violated Missouri law by influencing or attempting to influence voters against the election of Nicole Galloway for governor and failing to register with the MEC as a continuing committee.”
Chris Vas, Liberty Alliance’s executive director, called the Democratic complaint “laughable.”
“We look forward to its dismissal,” Vas said.
“Liberty Alliance USA follows all state and federal laws,” he said. “Liberty Alliance’s purpose is to fight for conservative causes in Missouri and throughout the Midwest, not to support or oppose any particular candidate or ballot measure. Clearly our work is having an impact, and we’re glad people are paying attention.”
Liberty Alliance USA was created just three days after Galloway announced she was going to run for governor. On its incorporation paperwork it lists its owner as nonprofit Cornerstone 1791 as its owner.
As nonprofits, the groups are not required to disclose their donors. They may engage in some political activities, so long as that is not its primary activity.
Both Liberty Alliance USA and Cornerstone 1791 share an address with the Kansas City law firm of former Missouri GOP Chairman Todd Graves.
Kristen Ansley, a former executive director of the Missouri GOP, is listed on Cornerstone 1791’s incorporation paperwork. She also serves as president of another Graves-affiliated nonprofit, called Missouri Alliance for Freedom, that unsuccessfully sued Galloway in 2017.
Liberty Alliance USA also shares a name with a political action committee that was formed by allies of disgraced former Gov. Eric Greitens to combat a successful campaign by labor unions to repeal Missouri’s right-to-work law.
The PAC was partially funded by yet another nonprofit with ties to Graves’ law firm, called American Democracy Alliance. Nearly $200,000 of the money it raised in 2017 and 2018 went to Graves’ law firm for legal expenses.
Vas said Liberty Alliance USA is “not legally affiliated with any other group called Liberty Alliance.”
Earlier this year the state ethics commission required another politically active nonprofit, Missourians for Patient Care, to file paperwork as a PAC and disclose its donors after determining it accepted contributions and made expenditures for the primary purpose of influencing an election.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 9:49 AM.
