Six Democratic lawmakers have recently come under scrutiny following the release of a provocative video that raises significant legal and ethical questions. Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona joined Representatives Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and Jason Crow of Colorado in a project that suggests military personnel might disregard orders. This video has caused widespread backlash, prompting the group to be dubbed the “Seditious Six.”
Bob Cushman, an investigative reporter, has now turned his focus on these lawmakers regarding an alarming accusation: potential involvement in money laundering operations tied to their campaign funds. According to Cushman, an analysis of Federal Election Commission (FEC) data reveals that these six individuals have reportedly received campaign contributions that may have been illegally funneled through a series of deceptive transactions, often referred to as “smurfing.” This practice involves small donations made in rapid succession aimed at evading scrutiny.
In his investigation, Cushman identified what he calls 22 “smurf” accounts, which he alleges contributed nearly three million dollars through over 95,000 individual donations. The nature of these contributions has raised red flags, particularly considering the ages of the individuals listed as donors. Many are senior citizens, raising concerns about identity theft, as they appear to have no knowledge of their names being used in this way.
One notable example is David Hutton, who is reported to have made a staggering 14,047 donations totaling $344,339 over seven years. The sheer volume of donations is implausible and indicative of possible manipulation. Hutton, who at 71 years old resides in Paso Robles, CA, seems unaware that his identity has been hijacked for political contributions. His case is not isolated; multiple individuals with similar circumstances suggest a broader scheme.
Another astonishing case involves Mary Gibbons, a 93-year-old from California, who allegedly donated $374,020 across 5,660 transactions. The average donation of $66.08 adds to the skepticism about the authenticity of these donations. The pattern is consistent across many of the “smurfs”: a high volume of donations made at suspiciously low amounts, which is not typical behavior for genuine electoral contributors.
Cushman’s investigation has also indicated that this may be more than just misappropriated identities. It raises questions about the compliance and complicity of the FEC itself, suggesting that the regulatory body has, for years, failed to address or even notice these fraudulent activities. This failure, as Cushman argues, indicates a serious gap in oversight, allowing such operations to thrive under the radar.
James O’Keefe and Charlie LeDuff have contributed to the dialogue around these revelations, providing a platform for discussing the implications of these findings on campaign finance and election integrity. Their work emphasizes that while this topic may be complex, the underlying issues of ethics and legality are simple and critical.
Overall, the combined impact of these allegations against the “Seditious Six” underscores a troubling trend in campaign financing. If proven, these accusations could not only have dire consequences for the individuals involved but also significantly shake public trust in the electoral process. Public awareness and scrutiny must remain high as these investigations unfold.
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