IRS rejects AU complaint, finds Calif. church didn’t violate tax code
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4517
ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND NEWS RELEASE
May 19, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020 or www.telladf.org/pressroom
IRS rejects AU complaint,
finds Calif. church didn’t violate tax code
ADF-allied attorney represented radio talk show host Wiley Drake
BUENA PARK, Calif. — Following an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney’s response to an investigation of First Baptist Church of Buena Park, the Internal Revenue Service has concluded that political endorsements by Pastor Wiley Drake in e-mails and on his radio show were made without any connection to the church. As a result, the IRS is no longer considering revocation of the church’s tax-exempt status.
“Christians should not be penalized for expressing their beliefs, and that includes pastors,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Erik Stanley. “We are pleased the IRS recognized that the attempt to have this church’s tax-exempt status revoked was without merit.”
Americans United for Separation of Church and State spawned the investigation by providing the IRS with an Aug. 11, 2007, letter Drake sent from his personal e-mail account to acquaintances who were not congregants at his church. The e-mail announced his private and personal endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. AU also complained about a similar endorsement Drake made on his radio show four days later.
In a letter to the church, the IRS concluded that Drake was not speaking to or through his church and used none of its resources while making the announcements. It found that he acted in his personal capacity and that the church did not violate the IRS code.
“Americans United should be ashamed of its tireless efforts to get churches in trouble based on flimsy allegations in complaint letters,” said ADF-allied attorney and Episcopal priest, the Rev. Dr. Lu T. Nguyen. “We’re pleased the IRS saw the truth here, but as most people realize, going through an IRS investigation is punishment in itself.”
A copy of the IRS letter to the First Baptist Church of Buena Park exonerating the church of any violation of the tax code is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/1stBaptIRSConfLetter.pdf.
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
One Comment
Whats wrong with this picture - A Baptist minister endorses a Republican candadite and he is sued in court. Jesse Jackson, All Sharpton, Bill Clinton and any other Demoocrat can parade through Black Churches untill Hell frezes over and nothing is done.
Nothing like dual standards - one for Republicans and one for Democrates!!