Reporting by the Center for Public Integrity has shown that despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars on elections, nonprofits--many considered "social welfare" groups--are regularly getting away with breaking election law and aren't being audited or investigated by the Internal Revenue Service.
Since the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision in 2010, a deluge of campaign spending has been poured in by dark money groups.
Slashed IRS resources, scandal, and unprecedented monies are all contributing to the problem.
What can be done to make sure nonprofits follow the law? Is it feasible to expect the IRS to handle the political football of campaign spending?
Guests:
- Philip Hackney, associate professor of law at Louisiana State University. Former official in the chief counsel's office at the IRS
- Marcus Owens, lawyer at Caplin & Davis law firm, former director for the IRS' exempt organization division