Sean Hannity Scandal Over Concerts

From Debbie Schlussel:

For the last several years, Sean Hannity and the Freedom Alliance “charity” have conducted “Freedom Concerts” across America. They’ve told you that they are raising money to pay for the college tuition of the children of fallen soldiers and to pay severely wounded war vets.  And on Friday Night, Hannity will be honored with an award for this “Outstanding Community Service by a Radio Talk Show Host” at Talkers Magazine’s  convention.

But it’s all a huge scam.

freedomconcerthannity

In fact, less than 20%–and in two recent years, less than 7% and 4%, respectively–of the money raised by Freedom Alliance went to these causes, while millions of dollars went to expenses, including consultants and apparently to ferry the Hannity posse of family and friends in high style. And, despite Hannity’s statements to the contrary on his nationally syndicated radio show, few of the children of fallen soldiers got more than $1,000-$2,000, with apparently none getting more than $6,000, while Freedom Alliance appears to have spent tens of thousands of dollars for private planes.  Moreover, despite written assurances to donors that all money raised would go directly to scholarships for kids of the fallen heroes and not to expenses, has begun charging expenses of nearly $500,000 to give out just over $800,000 in scholarships.

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  • Braemar

    Looks like it’s time to hear all about this. I wonder how much of the money is for expenses and what expenses are allowed.
    Hmmm.

  • OLD TIMER

    A super-conservative like Hannity running a scam to benefit himself in the name of a good cause that gets a token share ? Who would ever guess ? If this is a true story, he should be arrested for fraud and given the cell next to Bernie Madoff. Bet he has lawyers working with him who have steered him just shy of criminal activity and he won’t be prosecuted.

  • JimCT

    Continuing in the great tradition of giving the “Medal of Freedom” to a CIA director who failed us before 911, and then allowed a special agency to mislead the public on Iraq, and promoting the head of Iraq reconstruction to Secretary of State for her complete failure in that area. One can only say, “Heck of a job, Sean.”

    Of course he should probably be thrown in jail if this is true, but in our upside down world, he’ll be given a new contract and a raise by Rupert.

  • Barnstorm

    If this is true, a Turkish jail cell would be too good for him. I would like to see him tried, and if convicted, let the families of fallen servicemen and women decide his fate.

  • BLARNEY

    If it is NOT true, you had an orgasm in your pants all for nothing.

  • turfgrrl

    Just for the record, the tax returns were posted as part of Schlussel’s reporting. So it is true, but also not a crime. There is no law that says you can’t spend more on operating expenses than the charity you raise money for. But that’s why holding charities accountable, making them report etc is important. And why its important that when a charity misleads the public about their efforts it needs to be reported.

  • OLD TIMER

    TG:
    Are you saying that misleading the public to believe their donations are going to finance scholarships when only as little as 4% actually is used for scholarships, is not a crime ? Use of the postal service to collect money fraudulently is a federal crime, as is most other interstate solicitation for fraudulent purposes. There are provisions for reasonable expenses, but, anytime only 4% gets to the charitable cause, defending against federal fraud charges will be difficult.
    State law generally requires proof of criminal intent to defraud, where federal criminal law does not. If he took $1 from you and put 96 cents in his pocket, he will need a very good lawyer, not to defend, but to try to negotiate compassionate sentencing, like Madoff got.

  • turfgrrl

    Old Timer: There’s no law. Is this so hard to believe? If you think there’s one go ahead and cite it. And then show where Hannity and his charity state explicitly how they will spend donations. And there lies the reason why you won’t find a law.

  • OLD TIMER

    Their websites, Freedomalliance.com and Freedomconcerts.com, use this statement ” All net proceeds from ticket sales (after musical talent, production, promotion and venue expenses) are donated to the Scholarship Fund” Putting that on the internet, with request for donations, clearly puts them in the position of interstate charitable solicitation. USC title 18 sec 1341- 1346prohibits using the mail in a fraud scheme. Patriot Act sec 209 title 18 USC 2510 also deals with charity fraud.
    If we are to believe Ollie North, it is all academic, he claims there is no basis to the stories and they distribute over 75% of what they raise

  • Braemar

    “net proceeds” is the key.
    What is an expense? is the question.

  • unruly 1

    didn’t Hannity agree once to be water boarded? May be time to take him up on that offer…

    • BLARNEY SKANK

      Didn’t Jim Himes say to a crowed of 1500 that if Health care passed that he would give up his Congressional plan for the benefits of the Government plan?

      That will happen after HE is water boarded.

      His name will go at the top of the “Hall of Shame.” He will be remembered at re election time long after the BIG HANNITY non-story.

      Mark my word Connecticut and especially Fairfield County will suffer and be hit the hardest by Obama Care because most have or did have GOOD HEALTH PLANS.

  • SCAM YOU WANT A SCAM

    Try the new Health Care bill. Talk about a trillion dollar Ponzi Scheme.

    Who really drafted this bill. Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Madoff?

    • Kiss your good health care goodbye

      Oh man, is this ever true. If you had good health care up to now, oh boy are you F**KED.

  • Apathetic Voter

    Why does this all sound like the same old, same old, anti-conservative fearmongering propaganda that goes on ad nauseum against any successful media conservative?

    • turfgrrl

      Apathetic Voter: If you think Debbie Schlussel is anti-conservative, then you are separated from reality at birth.

  • BLARNEY SKANK

    Most likely because that is EXACTLY what it is.

    A liberals way of having an orgasm. In fact the ONLY WAY…………

    • gman22

      awww dont be mad Im sure you will have a rally you can go to

  • Just wondering

    blarney skank,
    are you aware that norwalks property tax increase of 4% is mostly from a 3 million increase this year in healthcare costs to current and former city employees and pensioners? do you think that anyone who has their healthcare generously paid for by norwalk taxpayers, should criticize healthcare reform which is an attempt to reign in cost increases.?
    do you think city em[oyees should be laid off to help pay for the healthcare cost increases to pensioners? ust wondering what you think abouit this.

    • BLARNEY

      I think that this new plan will rape the taxpayers forever. Unlike people government mistakes never die.

      Lets see how great the savings will be in 10 years. I know the devil we have it’s the devil I don’t know that scares the hell out of a lot of people.

      Do you think the sweet heart deals the big unions got in this deal is not being paid by the taxpayers. Wake up because those big savings are coming to your neighborhood. You ain’t gonna like em

      • Just wondering

        blarney you didn’t answer the question-should city employees be laid off or property taxes increase to help pay for healthcare cost increases to current and former city employees whose healthcare costs are paid for out of norwalk taxpayers pockets?

        • Wonder no More

          The city employees should be laid off. That was easy.

          • Just wondering

            how generous of you! glad you get your get your healthcare paid by sacrificed jobs,now for the rest of us who aint havin our health insurance paid by city taxpayers, what should we do with the 30% annual increases-sit back and let the republicans do nothing as they had for decades?

    • gman22

      wait a sec your assumption is including the pay cuts union workers agreed to in order to get this thing passed right. Besides this thing is full of corperate welfare for these health care companies thats why their stocks jumped once it passed. I know the Consevatives are totally fine with Corperate welfare they just cant stand any leg ups given to the middle class. whats wrong with ending pre exisisting conditions. I know why your upset because this bill didnt take away a woman’s right to a medical procedure. The GOP has no problems taking away rights (i.e. the patriot act) they just have a problem giving them.

  • Braemar

    So when do we get back to whether these allegations have merit?

    Is Sean Hannity an employee of the organization?
    Is he on the board of directors?
    Do they pay any benefits to him?

    Where do these allegations come from? Where is the data to look at?

    • BLARNEY SKANK

      It was on “Move On.org” the “Daily Kos” and “Huffington Post” so it has to be true.

      • What a laugh!

        I wouldn’t believe anything “MoveOn.org”, “Daily Kos” or “Huffington Post” said if my life was hanging in the balance.

    • gman22

      yeah where is the data because Sean was asked about this about 9 days ago and still nothing…. not a good start. I vow to defeat Hannity’s radical charity. How Ironic Sean the TAX CHEAT who is taking days and days too give an answer! whats next he’s gonna get caught tapping someones shoe in a bathroom stall !

  • http://www.punkyamerica.com PunkyAmerica

    What a laugh for What a Laugh! Translation: “I wouldn’t believe anything MoveOn.org, Daily Kos, or Huffington Post said even if it were true!”

    Therein lies the problem.

    • What a laugh!

      Don’t hold your breath on that one, MoveOn.Org, Daily Kos and Huffington will never be accused of reporting truth.

      And that is WHY they’re the problem.

  • http://www.punkyamerica.com PunkyAmerica

    This WOULD be a crime if Hannity were a Democrat.

    Also, Oliver North has a reputation for stealing money and lying to everybody. He even got a felony conviction for lying. Like the old saying goes, “How do you know when Oliver North is lying? He’s breathing.”

    Ollie never spent a day in jail. Which is why he’s such a conservative hero: He brokered arms for terrorists, violated all kinds of law, stole millions of dollars for himself, lied to everybody about everything, and never paid the price. Conservative heaven.

    P.S. For ApatheticVoter, here are “anti-conservative propaganda” Debbie’s credentials:

    DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL–Conservative political commentator, radio talk show host, columnist, and attorney.

    Schlussel’s unique expertise on radical Islam/Islamic terrorism and a host of other issues make her a popular speaker and television and radio news talk show guest, both nationally & internationally.

  • OLD TIMER

    Retiree medical expenses a big budget item ? Just for the record, the City stops providing all that excellent medical coverage at a retiree’s age 65 and tells him/her they must buy into medicare, at their own expense, and the City then provides excellent secondary coverage for a lot less expense than the full coverage it provides up to age 65. Some older retirees now pay a substantial part of their pensions for medicare. The City did not participate in social security or medicare, years ago.

    • SENIOR SO BROKE HE CAN’T CHANGE HIS MIND

      FINALLY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT…..

      There are widowed pensioners making $6000 a year or less pensions. Especially in the DPW, NFD and NPD. On the other hand cutting on
      BOE management payment would cover at least 10 of these retirees.

      Not to mention that back in the late 50′s and early W’s NPD & FD were making $4000-$4800 a year and most people thought that you were an idiot for taking the job just for the coverage, when the private sector was making much more. As soon as the private sector when to hell everyone started to envy their pensions. That why at that time the city had a hell of a job trying to get 15 applications to fill 15 jobs, but today you get 500 applications for 1 job.
      Now after 30 years you want to take away those pensions. Let me tell you when that happens “The S— will really hit the fan.”

      But the “S— ” is going to hit the fan nationally so this will be small potatoes.

      You can take that to the bank

  • contralto

    Seems to be some controversy over the truth of the charge that Hannity expenses the hell out of the concert receipts. The FA camp has denied all charges and Sean says he pays all Freedom Concert travel and accommodation expenses for his family and staff out of his own pocket. Should be easy enough to verify. If they all travel Greyhound and stay at Motel 6 class accommodations then its obvious Sean is telling the truth. It’s well known he is a thrifty little toad.

  • Barbara

    Shame on Sean Hannity. Yet again, he has been caught lying.

  • jeff hoffman

    hope he and the fearmongers and truth stretchers get what they deserve. a country of their own to be a family values model of perversity

  • Paul Swenson

    I am certain as intentions are revealed of those stirring this up, and as you dig, the more light will be shown on why this was even brought up in your blog. It will end up being a springboard to greater awareness of Sean’s genuinely good intentions as well as that of The Freedom Alliance and reflect poorly on you for your shabby research and rumor milling.

    • gman22

      why are you going to beleave anything this guy says he really thinks Ronald Regan was our greatest president ever! and says it with a straight face. what a NUT he should answer to Juan Williams because Juan eats him for lunch every time they debate.
      ON ANOTHER SUBJECT, HOW MANY GOP MEMEBERS WILL TAKE CREDIT FOR THIS HEALTH CARE REFORM BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY SAYING THEY ARE THE CAUSE FOR THE PRE EXISITNG CONDITIONS PART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO THEY HAVE NO SHAME! MAYBE I SHOOILD ASK THE STRIPPERS AT THAT CLUB, ANYONE WANT TO DONATE TO A LAP DANCE!!!!!

  • gman22

    news flash I just heard sean’s charity is now going to focus on sending the sons and daughters of strippers to college by directly giving ALL procedes to the mothers of these childreen in need, and the GOP chairman is going to help him spearhead the operation because he already has the connections to these mothers in need. He also knows how to expense report it!!!!!

  • Lee

    Well, that is certainly a serious accusation. Is there anything in the way of documentation of any kind to support it. Small detail, I know but I have heard Debbie in interviews and she is known for making wild unsubstantiated accusations. A bit of a nut case really.

    • matt coombes

      Lee I am writing because of your claims. read my statements, I have done no interviews, I am just out $400, and he hurt an Eight(now Nine ) year old’ s heart with him scam, and she was counting on seeing Billy Ray Cyrus, only to be scammed. I then wrote to Roger Ailes, and never got a reply. Fair and Balanced???? Is it Fair or Balanced to scam people or kids of Dead troops? I am a Fox News Watcher, who went to the Bold Fresh tour, and was not scammed there! It is because they used Ticketmaster to handle it, and donated money to charity, where as Hannity and now Oliver North (Who I have lost all respect for, and used to think he was an Amercican Hero.) used a Book club who ran the scan for them. if not true, then Hannity should show the amount paid for scholorships, and where my money is. Also why I never got my tickets. Hannity makes Obama look like a saint, and that is tough! At least Obama does not steal money from widows and kids of Our herioic Troops, I do not think Hannity or North can now say the same.

  • matt coombes

    I agree with this. I paid for 4 tickets to two concerts in SD and NJ, and never got them, and lost $400, with nothing to show. I am going to sew Hannity and his Book club that sells them before July, and force them to disclose everything, including what is actually given to charity. I have lost over $500 because of this. I say if you want you money stolen, with nothing to show. then buy a ticket for this. I think also the artist should also be held responsible as well. buy a ticket for a Beck or O’Reilly event instead, like the Bold Fresh Tour. you will not be dissapointed, and Money actually goes to Charity. otherwise Flush the money down the toilet, because that is what will happen if buy a ticket to this event. If Sean Hannity really cares, andhe thinks I am telling a lie, then tell me where my money is, and why I never got my tickets, and how much actually goes to scholorships. What is being said about the fraud is true, and I am a conservative who feels this way. I will never watch this thief again, and he can rot in hell for what he is doing.