Raleigh, N.C. – A new Civitas Institute article reveals the deeply-entrenched web of political cronyism surrounding the state’s Golden LEAF Foundation. The history of Golden LEAF includes a healthy dose of “pay to play” treatment of board assignments and highly questionable connections between board members and outside interests that received Golden LEAF funding.
“Since its inception, Golden LEAF has been a major source of political patronage. The coalition of state politicians, high-dollar donors and political insiders propping up and feeding off Golden LEAF’s millions deserves a closer look,” said Civitas Institute policy analyst Brian Balfour.
The Civitas article attempts to connect the dots to show North Carolinians the partisan and corrupt process by which Golden LEAF is run — a process which has lead observers to label the organization a “political creature” and a “multi-million dollar slush fund.”
“Closer examination of the ties and interests of the political insiders involved with Golden LEAF suggests less than noble reasons for their desire to resist any attempts to break it up,” added Balfour. “No doubt they will fight hard to preserve their $600 million political patronage nest egg.”
To read the full article and access a larger version of the chart above, click here. Or to schedule an interview, email Katie Trout or call (919)834-2099.
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