Dakota Beacon

            The old adage: “follow the money” is sometimes easier said than done. Take for example leftist money laundering and the attempt to conceal donors to far left campaigns, causes, and crusades in opposition to the Republic in general and the Trump administration in particular. The US Treasury is on to the leftists’ effort in spite of cover provided by the Deep State.

            “SAR [Suspicious Activity Report] analysis indicates that crowdfunding sites have been used as a layering and comingling mechanism in money laundering and fraud schemes, often before participants withdraw funds or move them further through the financial system.” In other words, there is evidence that crowdfunding platforms are used for illicit as well as criminal activities. This from SAR Stats in the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network [FinCEN].

            It works like this. “Initiators received funding from backers through crowdfunding sites, followed by structured cash withdrawals from the accounts...individuals and businesses are utilizing social media to disperse their propaganda and raise funds, misusing…crowdfunding networks.” “Crowdfunding: The New Face of Financial Crimes?” cited in Advancing Financial Crime Professionals Worldwide [ACAMS – Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists] 2017 Report.

            Here are clear examples of crowdfunding activities as leftist cash cows.

            “Cover Dr. Blasey’s Security Costs.” This is one of several GoFundMe accounts created 9/18/18 that raised $210,000 to cover “costs” of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was the point person opposing Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the US Supreme Court. Kanvanaugh was eventually confirmed 50-48 on 10/6/18.

            “Help Christine Blasey Ford.” Here is another GoFundMe account created 9/18/18 which raised over $625,000 to help oppose Judge Kavanaugh.

            “We Believe Women.” This is yet another GoFundMe account created 9/19/18 which raised over $57,000 to pay for an anti-Kavanaugh advertisement run in the New York Times 9/26/18 comparing Ford to Anita Hill of Justice Clarence Thomas confirmation hearing fame.

            “This GoFundMe campaign is now linked to the Democratic Socialists of America [DSA] national bank account.” The account created on 8/12/17 raised $198,061 to cover supposed medical costs of protestors injured in Charlottesville. No explanation of where the money really went.

            Not only the Left, but also the “swamp” easily finds money through crowdfunding to oppose President Trump’s administration. “GoFundMe Page for Fired FBI Agent Peter Strozk Raises $325,000 in One Day.” CNBC, 8/17/18.

            “I do not have the vast resources to fight Mr. Trump and Mr. Cohen alone.” Porn star Stormy Daniels stated this on her CrowdJustice.com page. So far she has raised an estimated $586,000 most of which will go to her porn lawyer Michael Avenatti.

            “Former FBI Deputy Director McCabe’s GoFundMe page for ‘legal defense fund’ appeared after he was fired by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Originally asking for only $150,000, the campaign continued to adjust its goal upward and, in a matter of a few days, surpassed half a million dollars. That is equivalent to more than a decade of McCabe’s expected pension…roughly $2 million.” Johnathan Turley, The Hill, 4/2/18.

            “It was curious to many that McCabe would so quickly embrace a GoFundMe site before he was ‘referred’ for criminal investigation, let alone charged with any crime.” Johnathan Turley, The Hill, 4/2/18.

            Not all crowd funding applicants applying to GoFundMe are treated equally.”

            “GoFundMe Removes Account of Woman Fundraising Anti-Sharia Tour, Conservative Web Show.” Breitbart, 9/22/17.

            “New GoFundMe Policy Targets Christian Campaigns.” CBN News, 5/5/15

            “Florist’s Funding ‘Not Found’: GoFundMe Shuts Down Second Fundraiser for Christian Businesses.” Christian News Network, 4/29/15.

            “Gay-Rights Advocates Torpedo GoFundMe Campaign for Christian-Owned Bakery.” The Washington Times, 4/25/15.

            What are the cash connections? A great place to start is with the activities of the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD). “[CPD]…receives the bulk of its funding from liberal billionaire George Soros and leads a massive $80 million anti-Trump network that spans across more than 30 states…. [CPD] is comprised of old chapters of the controversial and now-defunct Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now [ACORN].” The Washington Free Beacon, 10/1/18.

            “Left-wing groups funded by George Soros and other major Democratic donors hand out cash to protester arrested for disrupting Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings….A coalition of activist organizations including [CPD]…have scheduled the near-constant disruptions…as part of an effort to derail the confirmation process.” Protestor funding comes through crowdfunding accounts. The Daily Caller, 9/18/18.

            Interestingly, the same people have been running and funding other far left organizations for years. It is their occupation; it is their means of support. Search for, or Google, Ady Barkan, Ana Maria Archila, Maria Gallagher, and David Hogg’s to see the parade of their crowdfunding activities.

            Crowdfunding has been a wonderful innovation benefitting great causes. But, like so many other good things, it also attracts the hideous and the thugs.

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).