Received Nov. 26, 2014
from American Democracy Legal Fund

Please see below a letter from Brad Woodhouse of the American Democracy Legal Fund to Fox News President Roger Ailes regarding Governor Mike Huckabee and his recently formed nonprofit. The letter is also available online here, and the associated complaints are available in full here.



American Democracy Legal Fund
455 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001 
 
Mr. Roger Ailes
Chairman of Fox Television Stations Group & President of Fox News
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 
November 25, 2014


Dear Mr. Ailes:

It has been reported that Fox News is weighing a decision about Governor Mike Huckabee’s future with the network. On behalf of the American Democracy Legal Fund (ADLF), which was established to hold public officials and candidates for office accountable for possible ethics and/or legal violations, I want to bring to your attention two legal complaints our organization has filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against Governor Huckabee and a nonprofit organization he created.

The enclosed FEC complaint was filed against Governor Huckabee for establishing a nonprofit organization to plan a presidential run, thereby using corporate money for such purposes in violation of federal election law. The enclosed IRS complaint was filed against America Takes ACTION, Inc. (ATA), a tax exempt organization founded by Governor Huckabee, the primary purpose of which is to aid Governor Huckabee’s efforts to run for president in 2016 and not to engage in social welfare as required by law. The complaint calls on the IRS to revoke ATA’s tax exempt status. 

Based on Governor Huckabee’s recent public statements and actions, it is clear he is either running or exploring a run for president of the United States. He is enlisting staff and reconnecting with political activists. He created ATA to support his political activity and to pay his political advisers.  He told his former campaign manager that he wanted to start mapping out a 2016 presidential run, and he and his staff have taken steps to plan for his candidacy. His daughter and political confidante told the Washington Post that his “heart is into [running for president again],” he is being more aggressive in taking on meetings, and he “can’t wait to get back to South Carolina and Iowa,” both early primary states. Further, he recently led an international trip with more than 100 pastors, religious leaders, and Republican insiders from early primary states including Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada.

These are not the kinds of things a cable television host normally does. Governor Huckabee is obviously preparing to run for president at the same time he is working as an on air personality for Fox News, which has rightly frowned on such activity from on air personalities in the past.

I have attached our legal complaints for your review. I hope you find this information helpful as Fox News weighs Governor Huckabee’s future with the network.
 
Sincerely, 
 
Brad Woodhouse
American Democracy Legal Fund