I just saw Pags’ latest commercial, focusing on his work as MSPCC’s chairman. Now, it’s a great organization doing important work, and it’s nice to know he’s given them a ton of cash and all that. But my lawyer-brain kicked in when I saw what looked liked the organization’s logo flashed on the screen.
As a charitable organization operating under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, MSPCC is required to stay out of campaigning for or against any specific candidate. http://www.irs.gov/charities/c… The use of an organization’s logo in a campaign commercial can be easily interpreted as endorsement.
Either MSPCC is allowing its logo to be used in violation of federal tax law; or Pags is deliberately creating the impression that a non-profit organization to which he is closely tied is endorsing his campaign, risking the organization’s image as a non-partisan entity and opening it up to IRS inquiry. Both readings are unsavory. If someone has an alternative interpretation, I’m interested in hearing it.
…if the candidate is saying he has worked for/with them. Maybe there could be fine print at the bottom of the screen saying “no endorsement implied” as I see on some commercials.