Nothing New About Pfleger Pflouting Tax Law

My posts about Mike "Snuffy" Pfleger's abuse of his church's tax status notwithstanding, this is not the first time this issue has been brought to light. Yet curiously, not only has the IRS stood by doing nothing, but this aspect of the story has been all but ignored by "conservative" news outlets and bloggers--even though a clear double standard is evidenced in two recent news stories involving evangelical churches in Florida and Kansas.

In 2003, The Washington Post reported on Pfleger inviting then Democrat presidential candidate Al Sharpton to address the St. Sabina congregation. In their account, the Chicago Sun Times revealed:

[A]rchdiocesan officials are concerned about whether having a political candidate speak from the pulpit might violate laws regarding not-for-profit organizations, such as churches.

They shouldn't have worried. It was a good day. Catholic Citizens of Illinois reported a $36,000 collection plate haul.

Sharpton wasn't the only political candidate given a spotlight. As commentator Nicholas Stix observed about Barack Obama's relationship with Pfleger's St. Sabina in 2004:

He believes, with all his heart, in the separation of church and state – except when he campaigns in black churches, in violation of that separation, and in violation of the tax code.

Then we have some revelations from the Chicago Sun Times, April 12, 2005:

Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina says his church's outlay of $2,500 to send parishioners to a dinner and $1,500 for a golf outing, both sponsored by the 17th Ward Democratic Organization, was not illegal. "The perception was that Saint Sabina is funding candidates and taking church donations to do so," Pfleger said in a letter to the Sun-Times. "Neither is true." But as BGA director Stewart notes: "You have to ask, 'Who were these events hosted by and where did the profits go?'"

Events like these are meant to raise political cash, and a church's contribution crosses the already murky divide between state and religion. It's one thing for a church group to join a street protest to encourage social change and quite another to pay for attendance at a dinner sponsored by a political group. The rules about this are clear.

The article even says "Attorney General Lisa Madigan acted promptly by sending out information to tax-exempt groups..." so continuing to ignore the law is evidently willful, as opposed to an innocent oversight.

And here's a little apparent quid pro quo as reported by The Chicago Tribune early last month:

One of those long-time supporters was Rev. Michael Pfleger, the politically active leader of St. Sabina Church. He gave Obama's campaign $1,500 between 1995 and 2001, including $200 in April 2001, about three months after Obama announced $225,000 in grants to St. Sabina programs.

Pfleger said he made those donations personally, not on behalf of the church or to win grants.

"At a time when less people vote than ever, I don't think pastors should be silent on politics," Pfleger said.

No, apparently not, and 150 times your personal contributions are not a bad return on investment, either. Somehow, that pesky "wall of separation" liberals are alway harping about when the church/state issue involves conservative values (like pro-life Catholicism?) has become as porous and unguarded as our border. And with a nod and a wink, the St. Sabina congregation is in Obama's and the Chicago Democrat Machine's pockets, Pfleger has plausible deniability, and life on the South Side goes on.

Snuff Out Mike Pfleger

By now, you've probably heard of the recording of "moral authority" "Father" Michael Pfleger calling for John "R-i-g-g-i-o", the owner of a Chuck's Gun Shop (along with "legislators" who don't support citizen disarmament) to be "snuffed out."

Well like the good father says, "it's all about the Benjamins," which I guess is proof he understands street slang, and he understands what "snuff out" means among his (can you call a gaggle or a pack a "flock"?)

So what about the Benjamins, Mike? And why shouldn't your ability to apparently exploit tax laws the rest of us are forced to obey be snuffed out?

What am I talking about? Well, Mike's "church," St. Sabina, is a 501(c)(3) corporation.


That means, as a church, it's exempt from filing taxes, and contributions are tax deductible. But that also means, in order to qualify for this exemption, certain conditions must be adhered to. Per IRS Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization, Chapter 3. Section 501(c)(3), "Application for Recognition of Exemption":

The organization will not, as a substantial part of its activities, attempt to influence legislation (unless it elects to come under the provisions allowing certain lobbying expenditures)...

When we look at the section on "Lobbying Expenditures," it says:

In general, if a substantial part of the activities of your organization consists of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, your organization’s exemption from federal income tax will be denied.

Father Mike's monomaniacal "crusade" against people being able to protect themselves was evidenced not only by his appearance at the rally, not only in his pledge to continue harassing lawful businesses and the citizens who operate and patronize them, and not only by a history of disarmament advocacy (Google search terms "Michael Pfleger" gun).

All one really needs to do is look at the St. Sabina webpage:


He certainly doesn't make much effort to separate "Gun Legislation to Support in Illinois" from the rest of the church's mission, does he?

And what legislation would that be? Why don't we take a look:


What are those 501(c)(3) restrictions again?

But wait--there's more. We also see a link for "The Beloved Community, Inc." which a little searching also reveals to be a 501 (c)(3) for which contributions are tax deductible:


It might not be out of line to ask why they're listed as the "bullet" (hah!) for:

Save Our Children - STOP Gangs - Killing - Guns - Drugs - What Can I Do? Download the flier and Stop sign

especially since they answered "NO" on their 2005 Form 990, Part III, "Statement About Activities," question 1:

During the year, has the organization attempted to influence national, state or local legislation, including any attempt to influence public opinion on a legislative matter or referendum?

(I could present a picture of the form in question here, but that would violate the terms of use for the information source--but the IRS will know where to find it.)

But it probably doesn't matter anyway--because the links to the information and fliers are dead (but curiously, went to St. Sabina webpages anyway, not to the "Beloved Community" site.)

Fortunately, we have one of my favorite resources, The Wayback Machine, that archived the page in question. From it, you can download their flier:



You can print out their sign:


You can "Call legislators and tell them to pass common sense gun laws..." (How very compliant with 501(c)(3) restrictions!)

You can call the anonymous hotline (paid for with tax deductible contributions?)!

And you can even get "REWARDS!"

We will offer rewards to people who call in to our anonymous hotline 773-483-HELP (4357) and give us information that leads to finding and getting guns out of our community.

Hmm. I wonder if the funds for those were taken from tax deductible donations to the church, and how much was paid out?

These are just rhetorical questions I'm asking, mind you. I personally could never sic the IRS on anyone, as I view the entire agency to be a usurpation and a betrayal of the intent of the Founders. My purpose in posting this was merely to point out some questions that deserve to be answered.

Of course, were someone from the government to use this information and "snuff out" Mike Pfleger's ability to apparently circumvent rules the rest of us must follow, well...

Snuffy's New Political Advocacy Billboard Campaign

The Faith Community of Saint Sabina has put up 40 billboards throughout the city of Chicago...

It certainly doesn't look like Snuffy Pfleger is abusing the church's nonprofit tax status to advocate specific legislation, does it? I mean, who could possibly consider this to fall under the IRS proscription:

In general, if a substantial part of the activities of your organization consists of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, your organization’s exemption from federal income tax will be denied.

Besides, the IRS is already busy, chasing down churches that post pro-life advocacy messages from their own marquees, or processing letters from The Separatists demanding a church have its tax status revoked because the fundamentalist pastor told his flock not to vote for a Mormon.

But Snuffy's a left-wing subversive, so the rules don't apply. And never have.

I wonder if they paid full price for the billboards with tax-deducted donations, or if the billboard company donated the space and took a write-off themselves?

WarOnGuns Correspondent Les K, who sent me the title link, which also gives the schedule of the Pfleger/Jackson Citizen Disarmament Mobfest and Rabble-Rousin'Jamboree for August 28, writes:

I've already called and have gotten about 20 folks to call the Chicago Archdiocese. 312-751-8200. Maybe you could post the number and ask folks to ask the Chicago Archdiocese why they allow a Catholic priest to engage in political and potential illegal behavior...

And while you're at it, ask 'em who's paying for the buses, the drivers, the gas, and whether or not it's "substantial" and coming out of tax-deductible contributions...

The Pfleger Cover-Up Begins

Vince Clark, a spokesman for Pfleger, told Cybercast News Service Wednesday that the pastor wasn't aware of the violent connotation of "snuff" and didn't mean to threaten bodily harm. (Listen to Pfleger's comments)

"I've never heard that compared before with the word murder," Clark said. "He [Pfleger] was never aware of that. If that was the case he would never have used that language."

Right, Vince. The guy lives in da hood, throws out street slang like "the Benjamins," and no one has any idea what snuffing someone out means. And for gun owners to protest this lunatic's rantings "is uncalled for."

As for that Church hierarchy we're hoping will do something about this:

James Accurso, a spokesman for the Chicago Archdiocese...told Cybercast News Service that the church had no plans to take disciplinary action against Pfleger.

No, of course not. They're afraid of him, afraid he'll make a big stink, leave the priesthood and take his congregation with him. They have abdicated all authority for St. Sabina. It's no longer God's house, it's Mike Pfleger's. The rogue is calling the shots.

OK, what about the "authorized journalists," like our pals at The Trib? Nope, nothing there about this controversy, and that's no surprise to those of us who have been paying attention. Yuri Orlov gave us the reporter's reaction yesterday in a comment to a related post:

"Thank you for writing. If you read my story, you saw that I included very little of what was said at this rally. I was assigned to cover this story and assigned a certain amount of space for it. I did not include Father Pfleger's comments because I did not find them germane to the subject. I also will say it did not strike me as a threat of imminent violence. It sounded like a typical rally speech."

Well, we can see how much help we can count on there.

And what about the tax exempt issue reported by WarOnGuns? Forget coverage by any major media. And if you look at the links to that post, not many gun bloggers consider it meriting a mention, either, although I am grateful to KABA for posting it, as well as you few others.

Ah well. We do what we can.

MORE:
Armed and Safe (45superman has done a great job spreading the word and posting to forums. Many thanks, Kurt.)

"Snuffed Out"

Hannity and Colmes cover the Mike "Snuffy" Pfleger brouhaha. By the way, the above is just a graphic--you need to click on the title link to get to the actual video player.

As expected, Alan dives right in to misdirection and apologia. The difference between this and an Ann Coulter column, Alan, aside from her well-known employment of satire as a literary tool, is she's not hysterically egging on a frenzied mob with street language right in front of anyone's doorstep. And as for your cynically referencing "the great Christian tradition of forgiveness," that sure doesn't sound like what the commie priest is doing.

The double standard is palpable. If I used the same terminology and applied it to our elected Chief Executive or one of the campaigning hopefuls for that job, I'd fully expect a visit from the Secret Service. If I said it in relation to the director of an abortion clinic, or, Allah forbid, a leader in our Guest Mufti Program, I'd expect the "terrorist threat" card to be played. Still, we can expect the wayward Snuffy will get away with this, and to tell you the truth, I'd rather we played more loosely with the First Amendment than tighter.

I believe everybody is missing the point. I believe all this noise will result in nothing. Is that what we want the outcome to be?

We've already seen a jury of his peers nullify charges where his committing the deed was never in question. And we've seen the Church hierarchy abdicating any authority to rein in their maverick.

I believe the key to shutting him down, the way to truly hurt his subversive operations, is through the tax issue I raised a few days ago (and incidentally, over a year before that). And that's why, it's with no small amount of frustration that I see this issue totally ignored not only by all "authorized" media, and not only by any "pro gun" organizations, but also by any other gun blogs save a few allies.

I just got the following from an EA ("Enrolled Agent"--a tax specialist) that convinces me I'm on the right track with this:

Mike Pfleger's 990 or 990EZ would have been due May 15 if The Beloved Community, Inc. is a calendar year filer and if it received total revenues in excess of $25,000 in 2006. (I suspect you will never see the 2006 returns if the organization has gone mostly inactive, there would not be enough revenue to force filing)

I would suggest that our friends in Chicagoland pay a visit to the location where the books are kept (per the 990 you have) and demand to see the organization's public records and be furnished with photocopies of same. See IRS instructions for form 990, page 11, for details: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i990-ez.pdf

I wouldn't mind seeing that, but as I indicated previously, it looks like everything is being done under the auspices of St. Sabina, which files no return because it's a church. I think it would need to be their books examined for donations and expenditures related to affecting legislative outcomes--including use of their assets for same, such as work product and correspondence stored on computers, telephone bills, vehicle use, etc.

If you're interested in kicking Snuffy in the nuts, this is the tack to use. Focusing on his hate speech, while useful for gaining some temporary attention, does little more than visibly divide people into their respective camps.

[Video link via 45superman]

Americans United for What Again...?

I just sent a follow-up email to our pals at Americans United for Separation of Church and State:

I didn't realize the name of your organization was Americans United for Separation of Non-Left Wing Churches and State. You've had ample time to "look into" the Mike Pfleger issue and it's evident from your lack of response that you intend to ignore it.

So would it be fair to tell people your whole mission is just to go after churches from the right--leaving churches on the left free to use their 501(c)(3) tax exemptions to effect their (and presumably your?) political agenda?

http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/06/nothing-new-about-pfleger-pflouting-tax.html

Pfleger Gun Turn-In Raises Legality and Safety Questions

His involvement of St. Sabina Catholic Church in advocating for anti-gun legislation (and even involving himself in partisan politics) have earned him rebukes from the Church and even a suspension, but they’ve been afraid to replace him, fearing too many parishioners who place a collectivist “social justice” agenda over religion would follow him out the door. And so far, he’s managed to skate by without official scrutiny of his church’s tax exempt status. [More]

Snuffy is still going full Pfleger. Never go full Pfleger.

Open Letter to Americans United for Separation of Church and State

To: americansunited@au.org I see you're trying to get the IRS to revoke an evangelist's 501(c)(3) status for his statement that a vote for Mitt Romney is a vote for Satan. One comment is all it takes for you guys to go ballistic? Have I got a case for you. Can we rely on your consistency to do something about Snuffy Pfleger? See:

• Snuff Out Mike Pfleger
• "Snuffed Out"
• Hey, Look Who Showed Up
• "Thousands Of Guns Taken Off The Streets" (which has the added bonus of public funds and manpower being expended on church projects)
• or simply use the search term "pfleger" at The War on Guns.

I'd say these links provide way more evidence of tax exemption abuse than a fundamentalist preacher decrying Mormonism to his congregation, wouldn't you? Can I count on your prompt investigation and follow-through with the IRS on this? Awaiting your response, David Codrea [WoG visitors--if you agree, feel free to send an email of your own.]

A Panel of Experts

One might think that the only thing people would be interested in hearing from "Father" Michael Pfleger is a retraction of, and an apology and explanation for, his call to "snuff out" gun shop owner John Riggio, along with unnamed pro-rights legislators. One would, apparently, be wrong. Next Wednesday, he'll be on TV, as part of a panel, in a bit of irony too bizarre for decent fiction, on reducing youth violence in Chicago.

I suspect this panel--government coercion proponents all-- couldn't find a solution with both hands and a mirror, but that won't stop ABC7 from passing them off as the best and brightest in the field.

I contacted the station via their online form:



Here's the complete text of my message:

How can you people even feign objectivity with the panel of citizen disarmament zealots you have assembled? How do you have the absolute gall to present this under auspices of "news," as opposed to agenda-driven statist propaganda? And who will violence-stopping Mike Pfleger recommend snuffing out this time? You want real news, try asking him how he operates a tax-deductible 501 (c)(3) while engaging in legislative advocacy. But that would require two things you obviously don't possess based on the insultingly biased composition of your panel of "experts": objectivity and an interest in the truth.

If you agree that ABC7 is engaging in propaganda vs news, please go to their comments page and protest their selection of panelists. Why is it they can't seem to find even one participant who can demonstrate the only solution to preventing violence is if potential victims have the means to discourage it?

Please do this, spread the word, and encourage others to follow suit. It would be nice if fellow gun bloggers and pro-2A forums joined in too.

Snuffy Still Flouts Tax Law as Separatists Turn Blind Eye

Snuffy Pfleger is still up to his liberty-snuffing antics, and there's still no outrage from Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

I guess using tax-deductible resources to advocate legislation to the general public isn't as threatening to the Republic as a fundamentalist preacher expressing religious views to his congregation...

It appears their moral outrage is consistently selective, does it not?

"Thousands Of Guns Taken Off The Streets"

“We don't have to wait for the government to make a difference,” said the Rev. Michael Pfleger, the pastor of St. Sabina. “We can make a difference by taking guns out of our communities. There's no reason for anybody to have a gun in their house unless they're law enforcement, as far as I'm concerned.”

Yeah, right, you sanctimonious witch doctor, we all know police are the only ones who can be trusted with firearms. It looks like somebody has figured out that letting cops fence stolen weapons--no questions asked-- is a no-risk way to make a profit.

There is a bit of a paradox: If churches are doing this to effect political outcomes, their tax exempt status could be scrutinized. If, on the other hand, they're doing this to advance their religious beliefs, what the hell is the state doing expending public funds/manpower to impose this on the public? Where's that "wall of separation" we're told is needed to protect us from theocracy? You can't have it both ways--or doesn't Chicago Police Supt. Philip Cline gushing like a giddy Million Mom as he actualizes Michael Pfleger's superstitious prejudices count?

Oh, and Rafael Romo--sorry to burst your bubble, but what you're doing is "shilling," not "reporting." You wouldn't recognize a watchdog press if it bit you--and it obviously hasn't, you tool.

How can ‘Snuffy’ Pfleger ‘lobby’ against a bill and keep tax-exempt status?

Fair is fair. If the “tolerant” left is going to invoke the state to silence conservative political thought, let’s see how they like living under the edicts they would impose on those who do not share their ideology. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner commentary renders unto Caesar.

Fair is Fair

A leading pro-abortion group, Catholics for Free Choice, is attacking Priests for Life, a top pro-life organization, and claiming that it is violating its status as a nonprofit entity by posting videos of pro-life Sen. Sam Brownback on its web site.

So posting a video on a website is all it takes for the left to demand repeal of tax emempt status?

So why can Mike Pfleger run an anti-gun legislation campaign on his?

Hide or Seek?

As reporters we pay attention to context and we are limited in time and space. Jim had 70 lines to write his story. I have 24 hours in my day.

Manya Brachear, aka The Seeker ("on a quest for Truth--with a capital T"), comes up with some excuses on why The Chicago Tribune didn't think a priest inciting a mob to "snuff out" a gun store owner was newsworthy enough to even mention.

Other readers of the blog have raised an interesting issue about the church's involvement in political activism. It certainly doesn't take place only at St. Sabina. Certainly fodder for another discussion in weeks to come.

Thing about news, Manya, and being an "authorized journalist" one would think you'd know this, is that it's considered news because it's timely, hence the disinterest exemplified in the old saying "yesterday's news." The time to discuss this is not "in weeks to come"--it is now.

You've already laid the groundwork for the "Billy's mom let's him do it" excuse, but I think I've presented enough evidence to show those getting a pass on this are cut from the same cloth as Snuffy Pfleger. Funny, how when more traditional evangelicals open their yaps, the political left suddenly gets all indignant and watchdoggy and everything.

So you have no intention of reporting on the St Sabina/tax abuse angle, do you, "Truth" Seeker? You probably don't get enough lines, and besides, there are only 24 hours in your day.

Feel free to add comments to the article this post's title links to--but be careful and "keep the comments here civilized, reasoned and polite. If the discussion devolves into name calling, comments will be closed."

See, if the truth hurts, we'd rather hide than seek.

When George Snuffed Snuffy

...a priest...may not endorse candidates nor engage in partisan campaigning... Fr. Pfleger’s remarks about Senator Clinton are both partisan and amount to a personal attack.

So in other words you're admitting that Snuffy has been violating the mandates under which St. Sabina enjoys its tax exempt status? Something other churches have been penalized for?

Does the IRS know about this?

And what spin will the hypocrites at Americans United Against Non-Marxist Religion put on this--assuming they don't just ignore it.


Yeah, that's pretty much what I figured.

[Via HZ]

Group Hug

"There's a reason they go out and shoot each other, because they don't love themselves. And the reason they don't love themselves is because we are not loving them enough."

Kumbaya, my Lord, Kumbaya...

Love for everyone! That is, unless you're Obama's pal "the Reverend" Snuffy Pfleger, calling on the mob to "snuff out...John R-I-G-G-I-O."

What better way to promote glowing warmth and good will than by promoting edicts that will result in storm troopers killing anyone who doesn't bend to your will and surrender their personal defense tools?

Do I hear an "Amen"?

Oh, and what do you know? The Vernon Park Church of God, which just gave an exclusive forum to a presidential candidate, doesn't file with the IRS because they're tax exempt. I'm sure The Separatists will get right on it.

(Fits has more.)