James Madison Center for Free Speech

The James Madison Center for Free Speech is a legal defense organization in Washington, D.C., United States.[1][2]

Overview

The James Madison Center was founded by Republican Senator Mitch McConnell in 1997 with help from Betsy and Richard DeVos.[1][2][3] Its general counsel is James Bopp.[4][5] The non-profit was founded to protect political expression as part of the First Amendment and to counter the American Civil Liberties Union's campaign finance work.[6][7] The Center provides free legal services to underfunded clients, however most funds go to Bopp's law firm.[7]

In 2020, the Corporate Officers and Board of Directors of the Center are: Wanda Franz, President; Darla St. Martin, Secretary; and David N. O’Steen, Treasurer.[8] The Board doesn't play an active role in governing the organization, delegating management to Bopp.[7]

It has supported the recognition of the Ten Commandments as one of America's founding texts.[9] It opposed a measure proposed by the Federal Election Commission to ban nonprofits from expressing views on public policy.[10]

Controversy

In 2013, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the IRS that the James Madison Center misrepresented its activities by diverting a majority of its funds to Bopp's law firm and was in "violation of prohibitions against using charitable organizations for private inurement and private benefit."[11] Bopp countered the complaint my calling it a smear campaign by CREW.[12]

References
  1. John David Dyche, Republican Leader: A Political Biography of Senator Mitch McConnell, Intercollegiate Studies Institute, 2009 p. 124
  2. Ann Southworth, 'Lawyers of the right: professionalizing the conservative coalition', Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 2008, p. 30
  3. Moskowitz, P. E. (2019-08-20). "Everything You Think You Know About 'Free Speech' Is a Lie". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  4. Dya Shapiro, Ilya Shapiro, Cato Supreme Court Review, 2009-2010, Cato Institute, 2010, p. 429
  5. Keevan Morgan, Why You Are a Liberal--Or Should Be, Bloomington, Indiana: iUniverse, 2004, p. 135
  6. "Mission Statement". www.jamesmadisoncenter.org. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  7. Campbell, Jon (2012-10-05). "How Does James Bopp Jr. Fund His Legal Work Attacking Campaign Finance Reform?". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  8. "Officers and Directors". www.jamesmadisoncenter.org. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  9. William J. Federer, The Ten Commandments & Their Influence on American Law - A Study in History, Amerisearch, Inc., 2002, p. 7
  10. Mark Sidel, More Secure, Less Free?: Antiterrorism Policy & Civil Liberties after September 11, Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press, 2007
  11. "Press Conference Fiasco over IRS Whistleblower Complaint". Accounting Today. 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  12. Nelson, Jennifer. "Attorney says Washington nonprofit's complaints are part of 'smear' campaign". The Indiana Lawyer. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
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