Under the Guise of Veterans, Vendors Take Most Funds
Veterans have given a lot for their country, and people give to support political action committees that appear to support veterans’ causes and candidates, but after vendors take their cut, sometimes there’s not much left to fight with.
Two political action committees emphasizing “Veterans” stand out in 2013 as ones whose expenditures to many similar political vendors burned through almost all the contributions they received, without contributing any funds to candidates.
It is not clear if there is an organization behind these PACs, or just a few politicos and fundraising vendors in the background. Their direct mail and fundraising letters keep their mail lists fresh, and the database might also be used for fundraising efforts for other paying clients.
Veterans Victory Fund reported it had receipts of $229,741 during the first six months of 2013. Expenditures were $229,259, leaving $2,359 cash on hand, and debts of $104,695. The PAC paid Century Data Mailing Services $117,190; Base Connect $14,010; and Legacy Lists $3,622. All three share the same address in Washington, D.C. Other vendors include Consolidated Mailing Services $19,338; MacKenzie & Company $5,000; Integram $29,991; Colortree $15,791; Direct Mail Processors $7,678; among others.
The PAC uses an address in Arlington, Virginia, and the listed treasurer is Scott MacKenzie. In the 2011-2012 cycle, the PAC raised $1,114,941 and spent $1,113,064 including a total of $88,500 given to 19 candidates.
Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans for Congress PAC reported it had receipts of $317,670 in the first six months of 2013. Expenditures were $315,032, leaving $5,618 cash on hand on 6/30, and $116,060 in debt. Most of their vendors were the same as Veterans Victory Fund. The PAC paid Century Data Mailing Systems $156,203; Base Connect $40,750; Consolidated Mailing Services $23,208; Integram $18,797; Colortree $18,628; Legacy Lists $5,258; Direct Mail Processors $2,646; among others.
The PAC uses an address in Fishkill, N.Y. and the listed treasurer is Christopher Covucci. In the 2011-2012 cycle the PAC raised $494,939 and spent $502,369, including a total of $34,500 given to nine candidates.
