After ThinkProgress Report, Virginia Warns Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS That It May Be Violating The Law

In November, ThinkProgress exclusively reported that Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS, a tax-exempt 501(c)(4) “social welfare organization” with an official address in Warrenton, VA, has never registered as a charitable organization with the Commonwealth of Virginia, as appears was legally required. Following this report, Virginia’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services sent a letter to Crossroads GPS warning them of their legal obligation.

The letter, sent on December 20, 2012, notes that, “in accordance with § 57-49 of the Code of Virginia, [Crossroads GPS] should register with our office.” It states that Virginia law requires “all organizations that intend to solicit for a charitable purpose in Virginia to register or apply for an exemption from annual registration, if applicable, prior to any charitable solicitation activity in Virginia.”

Read the letter:

Charitable groups that raise any money in Virginia are required to pay an annual fee ($325 for groups raising over $1 million annually), provide basic information about their operations, and sign statements affirming that no funds “have been or will knowingly be used, directly or indirectly, to benefit or provide support, in cash or in kind, to terrorists, terrorist organizations, terrorist activities, or the family members of any terrorist.”

A Department spokeswoman told ThinkProgress in November that should Crossroads GPS ignore this letter, Virginia law “provides for both civil and criminal penalties” if the group can be shown to have made such solicitations.