ACLU hit by Madoff Ponzi scheme

[bijou]

A begging letter just sent out by the American Civil Liberties Union reveals that the organization, which has taken on such an important role in recent years with its battles against the Bush administration's assaults on due process and revival of the use of torture, is a victim of the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme.

While the ACLU had no money of its own invested in Madoff's scams, foundations on which it relies for substantial funding were devastated by the scandal. The letter, signed by Director of Administration and Finance Alma Montclair, says:

You have, no doubt, heard about the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme in which investors have been horribly defrauded of up to $50 billion. What you may not know is that two foundations that have been incredibly generous and longstanding supporters of our national security and reproductive freedom work have been victimized by the Madoff scandal -- forced to close their doors and terminate their grants.

That means that $850,000 in support we were counting on from these foundations in 2009 simply won't exist. We're dealing with that reality and remain committed to continuing our critical work in these areas.
...

link

Please don't all cry at once.

[Chris_]

the American Civil Liberties Union reveals that the organization, which has taken on such an important role in recent years with its battles against the Bush administration's assaults on due process and revival of the use of torture

There is no MSM Liberal bias ---- RIGHT!

[djones520]

Couldn't have happened to nicer people.  

[Chris_]

There is a comments section that seems to be unmoderated -- have at it!

[bijou]

There is a comments section that seems to be unmoderated -- have at it!

It looks like the liberals are still in bed.

Abe Foxman: Criminal Bush! Pardondoned 19 but Bernie Madoff still is tortured by criminal amerikan gestapo with a midieval ANKLE BRACELET every time he leaves his Park Ave hellhole for breakfast at Windows on the World! Ooops thats gone, I meant dinner at Spagos. Evil Bush stooges brought down this excellent new investment pioneer. Bush lied , Moses invested.
December 23, 5:25 PM

Boston Young Democrats Examiner: That is depressing. What previous commenters don't seem to realize is the ACLU fights on behalf of right wing organizations far more often than they think. They protect their free speech rights in public spaces, their right to practice, etc.

This is a terrible thing. Hopefully they can make up their funding.
December 23, 5:50 PM

Raechel Madoff Olberman: And a right wing organization up there in Boston is what........? The Chappaquidic water resue squad? The Hanoi Hall of Heros John Kerry wing foundation? What ?
December 23, 6:09 PM

[bijou]

I posted earlier that JHET were a major loser from the Madoff affair, I've now found the details. http://www.usnews.com/blogs/fresh-greens/2008/12/16/environmental-research-affected-by-bernie-madoffs-crimes.html

Daily Kos today declared Bernie Madoff public enemy No. 1 for progressives not only because of his alleged Ponzi Scheme swindling, but also because he will instantly result in a loss of funding for hundreds of progressive organizations - some of which were doing environmental work. Madoff controlled the funds of the JEHT Foundation, a major source of grants for organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the ACLU. According to a statement from President and CEO Robert Crane, the foundation will close its doors next month. Virtually all of its grants will be cancelled.

There were several organizations that were doing environmental work supported by the JEHT, and may be affected. They are:

EarthRights International, which documents human rights and environmental abuses worldwide, and holds corporations accountable.
Advocates for Environmental Human Rights, which provides ligitation to communities suffering adverse health affects from pollution.
The Center for Investigative Reporting, is a source for investigative journalism in the public interest. The center's environmental projects include researchon the United States' declining role in setting environmental standards worldwide and the interests behind our dependence on carbon-based fuels. A 2006 general operating grantsupports the center's work.
The Center for International Environmental Law, which had a grant supporting the implementation of a framework for democratizing international environmental disputes.
Institute for Social and Environmental Justice Education, which aims to increase the effectiveness of social change groups, and promotes activism.
For a full list of grants from the JEHT, click here.

Progressive Enemy #1: Bernie Madoff!
by bobswern
Tue Dec 16, 2008 at 01:38:31 AM PST
I happened to catch about 15 seconds on Anderson Cooper on CNN tonight, in the middle of the ongoing story on the Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme, which we're all reading and hearing about in the MSM over the past few days: here,  here, and here.

But, the real story, at least as far as the Progressive blogosphere's concerned, is that Madoff's crimes have resulted in the virtual evisceration of hundreds of the very best, privately-funded social programs in the U.S. and throughout the world.

Madoff, single-handedly, has done more harm to the Progressive cause than almost anyone yet realizes. And, that's because The JEHT Foundation, one of the leading providers of grants for all things Progressive, has just abruptly announced they're shutting their doors at the end of January as a result of having come to the realization that they've lost virtually all their money because it was all under Madoff's management.

bobswern's diary :: ::
Of course, it's easy to blame Madoff.  And, I'd like nothing more than for this guy to be taken out back and shot. But, I have to ask: What about the total lack of regulatory supervision that occurred as far as all of this was concerned? The extent to which our markets have gone completely unsupervised under the Bush Administration is beyond the pale! (I'll save that rant for another time. And, despite the title of this diary, the reality is that Bernie Madoff now belongs on the list of "All-time Progressive Enemies;" but George W. Bush still lays claim to the top spot on it.)

You might ask: What is The JEHT Foundation?

Think: Amnesty International, the ACLU, Center for International Environmental Law, Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch,  Physicians for Human Rights, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Center for Public Integrity, Center for Investigative Reporting....the list just goes on and on!



The JEHT Foundation was established in April 2000. Its name stands for the core values that
underlie the Foundation's mission: Justice, Equality, Human dignity, and Tolerance. The Foundation's programs, in Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justice, International Justice, and Fair and Participatory Elections, reflect these interests and values.

Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Program works to reduce levels of incarceration in the U.S. while protecting public safety; easing the financial burden to society of criminal justice systems; and ensuring that adults who come into contact with the justice system are fairly and appropriately treated and have a better chance of success upon re-entry.

Juvenile Justice
The Juvenile Justice Program works to reduce the unnecessary detention and incarceration of youth in the U.S. while protecting public safety; easing the financial burden to society of juvenile justice systems; and ensuring that juveniles who come into contact with the justice system are fairly and appropriately treated and have a better chance of success into adulthood.

International Justice
The International Justice Program seeks to promote U.S. adherence to the international rule of law and the engagement of key stakeholders in and outside of government to this end.

Fair and Participatory Elections
The Fair and Participatory Elections Program seeks to improve the voting process by promoting best practices and reducing barriers to voting. The Program also seeks to enhance fair representation and competitive elections and to strengthen government transparency and responsiveness.


...more...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/12/16/43232/543/693/673580

[thundley4]

link

Please don't all cry at once.

Dang, they are going to be hurting, tell them the check is in the mail. 

[JohnnyReb]

The ACLU lost $850,000 in funding and they're crying....... lawyers make the best actors.

[Chris_]

The JEHT Foundation was established in April 2000. Its name stands for the core values that
underlie the Foundation's mission: Justice, Equality, Human dignity, and Tolerance. The Foundation's programs, in Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justice, International Justice, and Fair and Participatory Elections, reflect these interests and values.

Translation: Communist Labor Party

Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Program works to reduce levels of incarceration in the U.S. while protecting public safety; easing the financial burden to society of criminal justice systems; and ensuring that adults who come into contact with the justice system are fairly and appropriately treated and have a better chance of success upon re-entry.

Translation: Criminals "rights" over citizens rights. 

Juvenile Justice
The Juvenile Justice Program works to reduce the unnecessary detention and incarceration of youth in the U.S. while protecting public safety; easing the financial burden to society of juvenile justice systems; and ensuring that juveniles who come into contact with the justice system are fairly and appropriately treated and have a better chance of success into adulthood.

Translation: Coddle youthful prdators

International Justice
The International Justice Program seeks to promote U.S. adherence to the international rule of law and the engagement of key stakeholders in and outside of government to this end.

Translation: Undermine US Sovereignty, make US a slave to the un, enhance international Communism

Fair and Participatory Elections
The Fair and Participatory Elections Program seeks to improve the voting process by promoting best practices and reducing barriers to voting. The Program also seeks to enhance fair representation and competitive elections and to strengthen government transparency and responsiveness.

Translation: illegal votes to support democratic party

[Lacarnut]

Couldn't have happened to nicer people.  

My sentiments exactly. It's Christmas. Don't tell me that God does not have a sense of humor. 

[Chris_]

My sentiments exactly. It's Christmas. Don't tell me that God does not have a sense of humor.  :fuelfire:

Or a sense of justice.

[Baruch Menachem]

Would have been better if he busted a year ago.

Never heard of JEHT before.    From what I see, I am glad it is gone.