Not long after receiving its tax-exempt nonprofit status two years ago, the Indian Lake Advocacy Group hired one of Columbus’ most prominent lobbying firms.
Since then, ILAG has reported lobbying for only one item, a 2022 bill that called for a tax amnesty program. That’s despite ILAG’s open solicitation of a $5 million grant in the state budget for dredging and weed clearance on Indian Lake in north central Ohio.
So far in 2024, Ohio lobbying records show, ILAG has not reported lobbying for any bill, not even the one that includes the $5 million backed by state Rep. Jon Cross, R-Ohio.
Also, despite Cross’ support for the grant and his ties to ILAG Chairman Bud Christman, who has donated $18,000 to Cross since 2022, there are no records of Cross, Christman and ILAG communicating with each other on the issue. That’s according to the results of a public records request filed with Cross’ office by Checks & Balances Project.
The lack of any records of communication between Cross, Christman and ILAG on the grant contrasts with ILAG’s open support of Cross on its website, which is an apparent violation of the ban on nonprofits participating in electioneering.
Since C&BP first reported on ILAG’s electioneering for Cross, it has filed complaints with the Internal Revenue Service and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost seeking investigations into the group’s activities.
Questions about ILAG’s sources of money
ILAG’s lobbying reports don’t show how much it is paying the lobbying firm of Siekman, Siekman & Associates.
The group’s first two tax filings with the IRS show that it hasn’t raised more than $50,000 in any year, which is below the threshold required to file detailed tax forms. That means how much ILAG raised or spent during the first two years it was a tax-exempt nonprofit is not public information.
Ray Locker is the executive director for Checks & Balances Project, an investigative watchdog blog holding government officials, lobbyists, and corporate management accountable to the public. Funding for C&BP is provided by Renew American Prosperity and individual donors.
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