Jim Bunning Autographs Benefit Charities...and Jim Bunning |
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Friday, 19 December 2008 |
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It hasn't been a great public relations week for Hall of Famer/U.S. Senator Jim Bunning.
Last weekend, he had the United Auto Workers and much of the city of Detroit mad at him.
Now, government watchdog groups are questioning how the Hall of Famer is handling the money he gets from autograph signings.
Bunning's no vote on the auto industry bailout late last week caused the promoter of the Gibralter Trade Center show in Michigan to cancel him. On Thursday, the American Institute of Philanthropy and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Government called Bunning's self-run charitable foundation into question.
Bunning's foundation has taken in over $500,000 since its formation in the 1990s. However, only about one-quarter of the money has gone to charities thus far according to U.S. Senate and tax records. Bunning's salary accounts for $180,000 of that money, even though his primary job seems to be accepting paid signing appearances and autographing memorabilia.
The Lexington News-Leader reports that the foundation's director thinks it's all much ado about nothing.
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