February 23, 2012

Political Consultants Take Advantage Of SuperPAC Cash

We’ve covered how unlimited corporate money in elections transforms our democracy into a plutocracy. Billionaire donors, as well as politically active corporations, dump money into campaigns, buying not only access, but sway over important policy decisions.

But the Los Angeles Times has a new piece exploring a different type of corruption created by the Citizens United decision. Political consultants in charge of the top super PACs appear to be taking advantage of the massive influx of money, paying themselves hefty fees and steering contracts to companies they own.

For instance, Winning Our Future, the super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich, has paid its president Becky Burkett $206,000 in January. Gregg Phillips, another Winning Our Future official, received $90,000.

The Democratic super PAC Priorities USA has paid its outside advisor a considerable amount; so did the one supporting Rick Santorum.

If the internal conduct of these super PACs is in any way indicative of how they may affect the politicians they support, it’s a bad sign.