Controversial Nonprofit Group Loses Federal Aid
August 3, 2007 | Read Time: 1 minute
The Canaan Valley Institute, a nonprofit group created by Rep. Alan Mollohan, Democrat of West Virginia, would not get additional federal money next year under a bill approved by the House of Representatives, reports the Associated Press.
Mr. Mollohan is under a Justice Department investigation over charges he financially benefited from directing federal aid to charities he supports. The Canaan Valley Institute, a water-conservation group in West Virginia, has received more than $30-million in federal money, largely because of the efforts of Mr. Mollohan.
The House Appropriations Committee had approved three grants earmarked for Mr. Mollohan’s group, but Rep. David Obey, Democrat of Wisconsin and chairman of the committee, said he and some colleagues “had determined that because they were in controversy, for the good of the House, they should not be considered at this time.”
In response, Mr. Mollohan issued a statement defending the Canaan Valley Institute. He added: “For over a year now, I have been the target of an unsubstantiated partisan attack. While that’s a risk any person entering the political realm assumes, what is truly unfortunate is the collateral damage that has been inflicted on private persons and organizations that are not involved in politics.”
See The Chronicle’s special report on nonprofit earmarks.
