Conservative blogger Debbie Schlussel has accused Sean Hannity’s Freedom Alliance charity of unethical fundraising practices and use of money. Schlussel points out how less than four percent of Freedom Alliance’s earnings in 2006 went to the nonprofit’s listed causes — college funding for the children of fallen soldiers and care for wounded veterans. Media Matters For America points out the accuracy of Schlussel’s numbers analysis, but withholds judgment on the validity of her claims, as Freedom Alliance does not openly state on its Web site the percentage of raised funds that will go to their specific programs. Nevertheless, Freedom Alliance may be hurt by Schlussel’s accusations that tens of thousands of dollars were spent on private planes for Hannity’s family and friends.
From DebbieSchlussel.com:
Despite Hannity’s statements to the contrary on his nationally syndicated radio show, few of the children of fallen soldiers got more than $1,000-$2,000, with apparently none getting more than $6,000, while Freedom Alliance appears to have spent tens of thousands of dollars for private planes. Moreover, despite written assurances to donors that all money raised would go directly to scholarships for kids of the fallen heroes and not to expenses, has begun charging expenses of nearly $500,000 to give out just over $800,000 in scholarships.
