A recent filing reveals that a prominent advocacy group within the conservative judicial activist Leonard Leo’s network paid millions to his consulting firm. The Concord Fund, based in Virginia, transferred $6 million to Leo’s firm CRC Advisors for consulting services between July 2022 and June 2023. This transaction is just one example of Leo’s nonprofit organizations channeling funds to his for-profit business, raising concerns about his financial dealings.
Leo, known for his influential role in conservative legal circles and his advisory position to former President Donald Trump on judicial nominations, has faced increased scrutiny over his financial activities. The Concord Fund, also known as the Judicial Crisis Network, received a significant amount of funding totaling $52.8 million between July 2022 and June 2023. Additionally, the Marble Freedom Trust, a group funded by a $1.6 billion gift from businessman Barre Seid and chaired by Leo, transferred tens of millions of dollars to the Concord Fund.
Attorney General Brian Schwalb has been investigating Leo’s network, including the Concord Fund, to determine if any nonprofit rules were violated. Amid these inquiries, Leo has refused to cooperate with the investigation. Democrats and Republicans alike have raised questions about the legality of Leo’s nonprofit activities, with Rep. Jim Jordan and James Comer leading a congressional inquiry into the matter.
Furthermore, the Concord Fund’s financial filing highlights its funding of various initiatives across the country, including anti-abortion efforts and support for Republican political groups. The organization provided substantial sums to groups like Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Republican Governors Association, among others.
The Concord Fund’s expenditures on lobbying activities have also come under scrutiny, with the organization spending $140,000 on advocacy efforts related to government oversight and the rule of law. Despite these investigations and controversies, both CRC Advisors and the Concord Fund have denied any allegations of self-enrichment and criticized media coverage of the issue.
Caroline Ciccone, President of Accountable.US, has criticized the Concord Fund for its role in transferring funds to Leo’s business, describing it as part of a larger scheme for Leo’s personal gain. The filing also reveals the organization’s involvement in producing advertisements on legal and civic issues, as well as its significant payments to media buying firms for advocacy purposes.
Overall, the revelations surrounding Leonard Leo’s financial activities and his network of nonprofit organizations have raised serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest and violations of nonprofit laws. The ongoing investigations by government authorities and congressional committees will likely shed more light on the extent of Leo’s involvement in these questionable financial dealings.
