EMBATTLED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINKED TO ALLEGED ILLICIT ACTIVITIES
COLUMBIA, S.C. (TPS) - An organization backing presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani (R-N.Y.) may soon be the subject of an Internal Revenue Service investigation, The Palmetto Scoop has learned. 
A source has informed TPS that a complaint will be filed against the South Carolina Fire Fighters Association, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization barred from intervention or participation in political campaigns, for its involvement with Giuliani.
The source said the organization may have used funds - which are tax-exempt “charitable donations” under its nonprofit status - and other resources to aide Giuliani’s White House bid in the state, something that would be a violation of U.S. tax code.
Furthering speculation that the group’s activities could be a violation of federal law, it was announced last week that Executive Director, James A. Bowie (pictured above right) would serve as a co-chair of the “First Responders for Rudy” team.
According to the IRS:
To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.
And this is not the first time that Bowie has come under fire for allegedly crooked activities. The popular blog FITSNews broke the story last week that Bowie “was indicted fifteen years ago by a Lexington County, S.C. grand jury for ‘breach of trust’ related to financial irregularities at the State Fire Academy.”
The 1992 indictment, reported on at the time by The State newspaper, alleged that Bowie cashed a check for $2,975 that was intended to pay for firefighter training and instead deposited the money into a personal account. [FITSNews]
More to come…
Photos: Exclusive images from the May 15 Republican presidential debate in Columbia of S.C. Firefighters for Rudy and Executive Director James A. Bowie.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 at 12:26 pm and is filed under Featured, Primary Season, Republicans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
This “firefighter” group has been crooking people for decades…and they are above the law. They have lots of friends in high places.
No one will touch them…
Somebody in SC does not like Giuliani. The more they attack him the stronger he gets, can’t they figure that out?
Who bought the support of our Senaters and where did that money come from?
Romney started the Commonwealth PAC, a personnel slush fund, with a state PAC in a dozen primary states including SC. Last year one person gave $50,000 to five seperate Romney PACs. Is this a loop hole in the law to get around campaign finance laws or is it just illegal? Are not PACs non profit organizations that are only supposed to support issues and not candidates? This money is used to buy support, although it does not seem to be working according to the polls. Reference: Fortune July 9, 2007 Race for the White House, Mitt Romney, page 60 - 62.
South Carolina Fire Fighters are a good group that does good things. There are bad people in every organization that use their own agendas reguardless of what is best for the Group.
The South Carolina State Firefighters Association is one of the most mis-managed organizations in America. Joe Palmer (immediate past president) is a complete fool who let all of this happen right under his nose. The association’s attorney, Ray Chandler is an inept buffoon with an ego that is inversely proportional to his intelligence (he ain’t too bright), and the current and future leadership (two dolts named Butch Womak and Alvin Payne) are as ignorant as two apes. Jim Bowie probably had sincere intentions here, but the aforementioned culprits should have (as people in authority) had the foresight to make sure that it never got to this lowly state.
It’s not likely that much will happen to the firefighter’s association even if they lose their non-profit status. But that’s not likely to happen. They will get a slap on the wrist much like various preachers have received in the past. In an election year, this topic is too hot to handle. The executive branch (in this case the IRS) can’t afford to come down too heavy handedly. I do not, however, feel that this is because Rudy is a Republican and thus benefiting from preferential treatment from the Bush Administration. This would happen if the beneficiary was a Democrat as well. It will all blow over in a matter of months.
To Whom It May Concern: I chanced across this site today and was shocked to see that my name was attached to the posting here dated January 12, 2008. I did not post this message! To the person who is using my name to make the comments here, please know that I will attempt to obtain your identity and take whatever action is needed to see that your true identity is posted here.
I am not sure what the agenda of the person using my name is, but please know that I consider you nothing more than a coward. During my years in the fire service I dealt with many issues and had many agreements and disagreements with a lot of very good and brave folks, but I was always straight forward and firefighters knew where I stood. I challenge the coward that made this posting using my name to step forward and identify himself or herself. If any member of the fire service knows who did this please let me know.
I also openly ask the management of this site to contact me personally and forward any information that will identify the idividual responsible for this lie.
Hampton Shuping, Jr.
202 Park Ave
Conway, SC 29526
843-248-3717
hshuping@sc.rr.com
Lighten up Hamp - it was just a joke baby! Spark up a bone and just chill; you know? Now that I’m the new executive director, I’ll get to the bottom of it. I’m gonna conquer the world man don’t you know? First, I’ll play my political games here then I’ll run for office and continue them in the state house. That’s the plan Stan! Don’t rock my boat ’cause I’m smarter than everybody else. Nobody can see through me - they don’t call me “No Problem Joe” for nothing. Just chill baby. OK HAMPTON …. GOT THE MESSAGE HAMPTON!!!