Dear Mr. May:
We are writing to you regarding the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (the“Foundation"). The Finance Committee has been engaged in an ongoing review of charitableorganizations. The news reports of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (the “Foundation")raise serious questions on a number of fronts, including whether the Foundation’s actions have beenin keeping with the letter and spirit of the tax law.
Our investigation into non-profit organizations has given particular focus to problems ofgovernance. In reading news accounts of the Foundation there are several issues that are raised aboutgovernance. To assist the Finance Committee in its oversight work, we ask that you provide thematerial below. Please provide a listing of all board members for the past five years. Please providecopies of all minutes of all board meetings (or any subset of the board) for the past five years. Pleaseprovide copies of all material provided to board members (or any subset of the board) for the pastfive years.
In responding to this request, we would ask that particular attention be paid to all boarddecisions regarding salaries and awarding of grants and contracts. Please explain in detail any solesource grants or contracts that were awarded valued at over $100,000. Please provide copies of anyopinions of attorneys that the Foundation has received in the last five years on any issue. Pleaseprovide a detailed accounting for all expenses, grants and contracts of the Foundation for the pastfive years.
Please provide copies of all Form 990s and any other material submitted to the InternalRevenue Service for the past five years. Please provide copies of all internal and external auditsperformed for the past five years. Please provide copies of all articles of incorporation, current andpast. Please provide the analysis and all material related to support the salaries of all individualsmaking over $100,000 for any of the past five years. Please also provide how the salaries areapproved, all material supporting the salaries and any other information that shows compliance withthe tax code in regards to salaries at a charitable organization.
Thank you for your time and assistance. We ask that this material be provided in thirty days.
Cordially yours,
Charles E. Grassley
Chairman
Max Baucus Ranking Member
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April 5, 2004
The Honorable Gale A. Norton Secretary of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
Dear Secretary Norton:
We are writing to you regarding the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (the“Foundation"). The Finance Committee has been engaged in an ongoing review of charitableorganizations. The news reports of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (the “Foundation")raise serious questions on a number of fronts, including whether the Foundation’s actions have beenin keeping with the letter and spirit of the tax law.
Our investigation into non-profit organizations has given particular focus to problems ofgovernance. In reading news accounts of the Foundation there are several issues that are raised aboutgovernance. It is our understanding that the Department of Interior in a series of Memorandums ofUnderstanding (MOUs) established a relationship with the Foundation and that the Department ofInterior has a significant role in the governance of the Foundation.
We would ask that you please provide a copy of all MOUs between the Foundation and theDepartment of Interior. Please provide copies of all correspondence between the Foundation and theDepartment of Interior for the past five years. In addition, please state who has been appointed orrecommended by the Department of Interior to serve on the Foundation’s board for the past fiveyears. Please detail the involvement of these individuals in terms of management of the Foundation,including attendance at meetings, copies of correspondence, all material provided to board members,etc.
Finally, we would ask whether you believe that the Foundation and its current managementhas been in the best interest of the taxpayer and is in keeping with the intent and spirit of the MOUand the organization’s charter.
Thank you for your time and assistance. We would ask for this material in thirty days.
Cordially yours,
Charles E. Grassley
Chairman
Max Baucus Ranking Member
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April 5, 2004
The Honorable Earl Devaney Inspector General Department of Interior Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Devaney:
We are writing to you regarding the investigation by your office into the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation.
The Finance Committee has been engaged in an ongoing review of charitable organizations.The news reports of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (the “Foundation") raise serious questions on a number of fronts, including whether the Foundation’s actions have been in keeping with the letter and spirit of the tax law.
We ask that you please keep the Finance Committee fully informed of the progress you are making in this investigation as well as a copy of the final report. Thank you for your time and assistance.
Cordially yours,
Charles E. Grassley
Chairman
Max Baucus Ranking Member
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Source: Ranking Member’s News
