Gun control activist David Hogg has been hit with allegations over the spending practices of his group Leaders We Deserve PAC. Conservative outlets are reporting that the group spent comparably little on actual candidates as opposed to travel and expenses. His prior counsel is a familiar name in such controversies in Washington: former Clinton campaign general counsel Marc Elias.
Hogg created a group in the aftermath of the 2022 midterm elections to elect Generation Z politicians to offices throughout the country. The group was given favorable national coverage in major media outlets. He explained that contributions would be used to elect young Democrat candidates:
“[We’re] trying to pick them and say, you know, we would like to help you run for office, we’ll supply you with all of the resources that you need and help basically coach you and hold your hand to get there, which is kind of the gap that’s in the space right now, for at least young people at the state legislative level.”
Federal filings reportedly show that year-end 2023, Leaders We Deserve raised over $3 million. That is impressive for its first year in operation.
The conservative sites allege that the group spent “only about $263,000 on its stated mission of electing candidates from Generation Z to office combined with donations to other Democrat Party committees and groups—and instead spent more than $1.4 million on disbursements to themselves for payroll and to political consulting firms and legal fees, in addition to travel and entertainment expenses like hotels, flights, and meals.”
However, it reportedly spent more than $1,314,000 on travel and related expenses while giving $80,000 to the Elias Law Group.
Previously, when allegations of self-dealing and accounting improprieties were raised with regard to Black Lives Matter, the group’s attorney, Elias, immediately stood out for many. Elias resigned from his “key role” with BLM as the scandal exploded.
Elias’s name has now again popped up in the controversy involving Hogg, who is accused of raising millions to support liberal candidates but allegedly spending only $263,000 on such candidates while paying $83,000 to the Elias law firm. (These figures are reportedly from federal filings but neither Elias nor Hogg have specifically addressed the media reports).
Elias has long been a controversial figure, including being sanctioned in court. He was named as the key figure in hiding the funding of the Steele dossier by the Clinton campaign, which led later to a FEC fine. Reporters accused the campaign of lying to them about the funding. Elias was also reportedly with campaign chair John Podesta when he allegedly denied such funding to congressional investigators.
Despite accusing the GOP of election denial and manipulation, Elias was also involved in alleged gerrymandering efforts and challenging the outcome of elections based on alleged problems with voting machine tallies.
Back to the most recent controversy, Hogg could argue that, as a well known activist figure, his travel to these campaigns is the boost that the group promised donors. He is the assistance. Likewise, the group could argue that it is still getting ramped up for greater spending efforts in the fall. As for the legal fees, the group could argue that start up legal fees and reporting fees tend to be higher at the outset.
The controversy does raise some novel questions about the purpose of contributions. Hogg coming to a local campaign is likely to generate media attention for a candidate. He can also claim that he and his staff bring needed expertise and advice to novice or young candidates. That could be their interpretation of the promise to “basically coach you and hold your hand to get there.” Critics are focused on the pitch to “supply you with all of the resources that you need.”
The group is only the latest political or business effort launched by Hogg, who previously tried to start a “progressive pillow company” before stepping away from the enterprise.
I dont like Hogg, he is annoying little squirt. But this is just a stab at lawfare, which will probably fail. Just like the lawfare against Wayne LaPierre, however substantive, will not kill off NRA.
Anyways I loved it when the foolish bleeding hearts get their pockets drained by scammers like Hogg or their chief prototype: Morris Dees. Any of you fools on here ever lose your hard earned shekels to one of his hate-haters sales pitches?
What ever happened to him?
Oooo i forgot. SPLC had to remove him from the BOD because he was “harassing women and people of color.”
FOR YEARS
Look it up in NY Magazine. Or, for better LOLs, read his ex wife’s divorce petition! A real creeper that guy. But he took the libs for hundres of millions across decades with his direct mail hate the haters operations.
Saloth Sar
Isn’t he the one was at home when Majorie Stoneman shooting happened, now calls himself a “Survivor” of it. I wish he had REAL parents, then he could survive getting his butt beat
No, he was not at home, he was at school. In a different building from the shooter, but at school and hiding in a closet. After it was all over and the lockdown was lifted, he went home to get his camera, and came back to interview people.
Hogg claims he saw the event on TV and peddled his bicycle as fast as he could to the school. But he also claimed he was hiding in a closet at the school while the gunman was shooting up the school ?
O T – if you have not heard, it is likely that Biden well not be on the ballot this November in Ohio and Alabama, and perhaps other strates, because the Demo convention is being held after the deadline for submitting the names of the candidates for President and Vice-President. What a delicious irony. The praty of ballot cleansing is being cleaned off the ballots of several states.
Make sense. He is a loon. These Latte-Drinking, Blue Hair-Wearing, Granola-Eating Dudes like Hogg will be the death of America https://torrancestephensphd.substack.com/p/latte-drinking-blue-hair-wearing
He should join the military. I heard they were inviting back Retiree’s over 70 to return to active duty. Maybe some of these young know it all’s should step up and do something for the country, instead of taking all the time….
Ever notice how this little freak is the beta-male version of Greta? They’ll intrll created actors. All Hogg cares about is himself. At the Sandy Hook get together, focus is on a staged photo of himself. Just brand building>
Hogg? I guess the name says it all.
That!
Whoops!
This little faker should hook up with Greta Thunburg, and combine their carbon footprint. Such air pollution!
It’s actually quite hilarious. Collect millions from squishy virtue-signaling companies to support Leftist candidates — and then squander the money? I heartily approve. Let the sucker beware.
Hogg is a disgrace just like James Comer and Jim Jordan. Comer is complaining that DOJ is ignoring subpoenas from the US House and Biden’s Handlers are obstructing justice. When asked by Hannity what he was going to do about it, Comer whined that Reps have a slim majority and the media is against them.
Hogg has no cojones as a prissy insecure little boy, but Comer turned over his huevos to his the DNC and MSM when he and his conference could have zero funded the DOJ, FBI and all extensions of the MSM funded by taxpayers
Madeline Kahn relates the present situation of most Americans: Democrats are totalitarians and Republicans are little gurls. Americans aint got no home with these two fake political bodies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd4LZ5d9j5U&t=40s
Jonathan: Horror of horrors! David Hogg and Marc Elias are coordinating their campaigns for Democracy–an effort to encourage young progressives to run for office. Hogg says on his website that “Leaders We Deserve” “is a grassroots organization dedicated to electing young progressives to Congress and State Legislatures across the country to help defeat the far-right agenda and advance a progressive vision for the future”. Hogg’s goals intersect with those of Elias whose legal work involves countering efforts by the GOP to make it harder to vote–filing lawsuits to prevent gerrymandering, restrictions on mail-in-balloting, illegal attempts to purge voter rolls, harassment of election workers and voters, etc.
So it’s no big surprise that Hogg would give money to Elias’s efforts. And in all this it requires travel around the country–spending money on “political consulting firms and legal fees”. And, yes, “hotels, flights, and meals”. When DJT travels around the country he does the same thing. But you have yet to Q his expenditures. Why is that? And DJT has spent a way lot more on legal fees than Hogg ever will. So why the big commotion over Hogg’s expenditures?
It’s pretty clear. The source of your spurious allegations against Hogg is Breitbart–that claims to be the extreme far-right alternative to Fox. Breitbart specializes in sensationalist headlines that spews out all sorts of conspiracy theories and disinformation–like the NY Post that you often quote. Breitbart prides itself on being at the top of @real Donald Trump’s retweets!
Citing Breitbart to try to make the case that Hogg is somehow mis-using donor money is pathetic in the extreme! Maybe you should spend a little time exploring how DJT bilks his MAGA supporters–then draining his campaign coffers to pay his $76 million in personal legal bills. Now that would be worthy of a number of your columns!
As usual you did NOT read the article.
The STORY is that Elias and Hogg are defrauding contributors claiming to be engaged in supporting Democrat candidates while actually lining their own pockets.
This is perfectly legal – just like selling Trump Sneakers, and Trump Bibles, or paying Porn stars for services, or paying porn stars for silence, or taking out mortgages from banks, or buying a bond to a bonding company.
If Contributors to Hogg’s PAC are displeased with how the money is spent – they should stop contributing.
What should NOT happen is the GOP equivalent of Leticia James sweeping in and engaging in lawfare against Hogg and Elias.
But the Press SHOULD be investigating this – because it is their job to let people know that those they are giving money to are lying about how they are using it.
I would note though that Bannon and others are being persued Criminally for soliciting contributions to Build the Wall where more than 95% of money contributed actually went to building the wall. While Hogg is soliticing money to elect progressives where 95% of the money is going to line Hoggs pockets.
BOTH actions are legal – though Bannon faces prosecution – because left wing nuts are hypocrits.
Is Breitbart incorrect about the FACTS ?
You have right here on this blog Targeted Bannon for far far far less egergious conduct than that of Hogg.
You argued that legal fees and administrative costs that were LESS THAN 5% of the money collected constituted Fraud in Bannon’s Build the Wall fundraising.
I absolutely agree with you that Hogg should be able to pay for travel and entertainment, and the like as part of his PAC’s efforts.
But I also think that the media should report on the efficiency of that groups expenditures. And Hogg’s pack is notoriously inefficient.
Regardless, the question is not why is Brietbart reporting this.
It is why isn’t NYT ?
After that – no with you money as you wish.
Give it to Hogg, or Trump, or Build the Wall, buy a Hot Dog or golden Sneakers – whatever you want, it is your money.
If only left wing nuts like you did not spend all their time trying to decide who is allowed to give money to who, and who is allowed to buy or sell what too who.
It used to be that it was mostly Republicans who sought to limit what you could do in your own life.
Today the totalitarians are from the left and as always left threats to liberty are 10000 times more dangerous.
John Say: The story in Breitbart insinuates Hogg defrauded donors. But did they provide any evidence? Do you have any evidence “95% of the money is going to line Hoggs (sic) pockets”? Breitbart says Hogg’s FEC filings show he raised about $3 million. And he was paid $40 K in 2023. If we accept your math that means Hogg was actually paid $2.85 million! Where is your evidence?
You make a lot of claims you cannot back up with facts–like “totalitarians are from the left and always left threats to liberty 1000 times more dangerous”. You mean promoting and financially supporting young progressive candidates for office (Hogg) and filing lawsuits to prevent GOP from intimidating voters and state election workers (Elias) is “1000 times more dangerous”? Really? The only thing more “dangerous” is promoting conspiracy theories that have no basis in fact!
Do you really think it is wise to brag about illegally inflicting millions of dollars of legal bills on Trump ?
Regardless, Trump supporters know what they are buying.
And now Hogg’s supporters do too.
I am perfectly OK with that.
Three cheers for Brietbart for reporting the truth when NYT and WaPo refuse to touch it.
BTW Why is citing breitbart pathetic if they are correct ?
You have been busy defending Hogg’s spending, are you now claiming – No Hogg can not spend PAC money that way and that Brietbart is lying ?
Make up your mind about what your own arguments are.
If you accept something is true – attacking those reporting it just demonstrates your own bias and stupidity.
“If Hogg is defrauding his contributors – I am OK with that – because Brietbart reported it and well you know Orange Man bad”
Is an abysmally bad argument.
Am I misreading your remarks ?
You are concurrently arguing that Hogg is allowed to do what Breitbart is reporting.
While at the same time arguing that we should disregard the story because it is Brietbart.
Which is it ?
Can you make up your mind ?
Are you challenging the
John Say: No, you are demonstrating your own “bias and stupidity”. The Breitbart article is big on allegations and insinuations about Hogg but short on any evidence he “defrauded” his donors. But you swallowed them hook line an sinker! Shows your stupidity.
In your previous comment you alleged “95% of the money is going to line Hoggs (sic) pockets”. I asked you to provide proof. When are you going to do that? So I renew the Q. Either put up or stop deflecting!
Just admit it, John Say owned your sorry butt. He is clearly a better lawyer than you. And not just by a little but by miles.
John Say,
Yet another series of epic take downs of Dennis!
Well done!
Here is some under oath testimony by one of the Fulton County election commissioners on how lawless and F’d up the election was in 2020.
And why the vote to certifyu FC Barley passed.
No signature verification AT ALL
No chain of custody.
Election equipment problems right down to election day and after.
Lost records. Lost CCTV.
Just everything totally bollocksed up.
Election rigging, fraud – we will never know.
An election that no one should trust ? Absolutely 100%
Since you did not give us your daily orwellian “two minutes of hate”
I though I might prebut some of what is likely later.
In a motion – that again Judge Merchan tried to Bury, Trump’s attorney’s have demanded that Merchan refrain from ex parte communications about this trial, and for those FEW Ex Parte communications – such as scheduling that he document on the record those exchanges so that all parties can be sure that the ex parte communications fall within the narrow scope permitted by the law, and because – even in the rare instances ex-parte communications are allowed – they must by law be disclosed.
Trump’s attorney’s also used the motion to supliment their motion to recuse, and their motion to delay the trial as violating Trump’s due process rights as well as other explicit constitutional rights.
I know this is hard for you – But Trump is permitted to know the evidence against him before Trial – given that EACH of the cases he faces involve MILLIONS of pages of discovery – all of which has to be reviewed. Byt Trump and his attorney’s before trial – because otherwise Trump’s right to properly confront his accusers to benefit from the skills and knowledge of his counsel are infringed.
In the middle of this video there is an aside from Alan Derschowitz noting that Judge Merchan MUST recuse himself.
Though frankly Derschowitz UNDERSTATES the problem – Loren Merchan is fiscally benefiting from the decisions that Judge Merchan is making. That is public corruption. Which you would know if you had paid any attention to Turley and the Biden crime syndicate.
And an election update – RCP’s no tossups map has Trump with 296 EC votes. and Biden with 245 – nearly a landslide.
Trump is up by 3pts in swing states. The only Sing state Biden is currently ahead in is PA and there only by 0.1%
Other reporting has Republicans MAULING democrats in voter registration – in some places 5:1.
Republicans are up by 1.3% on the generic ballot Which due to geography and demographics means the GOP is almost 4pct ahead in the house race – Generally a D+2 generic ballot leads to a razor thin GOP win in the house.
I thought that Democrats were the experts at messaging ?
Hey, Dennis, quick question: Is it possible for you to post anything, anything at all, without resorting to “But TRUMP! TRUMP!! TRUMP!!!!”
Nowhere in JT’s article here was DJT mentioned, even obliquely, but you gotta bring your TDS to the conversation.
You know the old saying, “When all you got’s a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” TDS seems to be your hammer.
Found one. Another Red Commie posting here.
Blathering pure unadulterated Bolshevik crap doesnt get you very far any more. MAGA is awake, strong, and tell bottom boi sissies like you to just FOESAD.
We are almost ready to play Cowboys vs Commies with you. Pantifa pussies like you will be gone from America after Civilution 2.0 finishes. The RAT party will finally be Outlawed, Banished forever. Never to rise and create the tensions for another Civil war ever again. This time America ends their Treason.
Fraud! Fraud! Where is SuperWoman Leticia James when you need her ?
Hogg should be sued for billions for lying to donors.
———–
Free markets work.
If you wish to donate to Hogg – do so.
I would hope the media would do their job and report on the fact that organizations such as Hogg’s PAC or BLM are often Self serving – rather than serving the purpose they were created for.
That is more common, but not unique to the left.
The NRA got in trouble for becoming the fifedom of its top brass.
But that Trouble should come from Donors – not government.
Not over zealous and politically motivated prosecutors regardless of party.
If you think Hogg has ripped you off – quit donating and possibly sue him.
The same for donors all arround right and left.
The same for anyone involved in free exchange.
If you beleive the other party did not uphold their side of the contract
Sue them.
And do not continue to deal with them in the future.