Organization: CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS
Mission: SEE PART III, LINE 1.
Activities: EDUCATION: CREW HAS WORKED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT UNETHICAL CONDUCT ON THE PART OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND THOSE WHO SEEK TO INFLUENCE THEM, THE THREAT THIS CONDUCT POSES TO OUR DEMOCRACY, AND THE CORRUPTING INFLUENCE OF MONEY IN POLITICS. IT HAS PUBLICIZED INSTANCES OF THESE KINDS OF ABUSES AND BROADER PATTERNS OF UNETHICAL CONDUCT AND IMPROPER OR EXCESSIVE INFLUENCE. THE ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTED IN PRINT, BROADCAST, AND ONLINE NEWS SOURCES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD. IT ALSO MAINTAINS WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS THAT PUBLICIZE ITS ACTIVITIES. CREW HAS ALSO PUBLISHED IN DEPTH REPORTS ON GOVERNMENT ETHICS AND CORRUPTION ISSUES AND ON THE INFLUENCE OF MONEY IN POLITICS BASED ON ITS OWN RESEARCH, (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)OBTAINED DOCUMENTS, AND LEGAL ANALYSIS. CREW'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BOARD MEMBERS, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES REGULARLY APPEAR IN PRINT AND BROADCAST MEDIA DISCUSSING GOVERNMENT ETHICS AND MONEY IN POLITICS.
LEGAL: CREW HAS ENGAGED IN LARGE SCALE LITIGATION TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH KEY ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY LAWS INCLUDING THE CONSTITUTION'S EMOLUMENTS CLAUSES, THE FEDERAL RECORDS ACT, AND THE PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS ACT. CREW HAS FILED NUMEROUS ETHICS COMPLAINTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL COMPLAINTS WITH THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL, AND OTHER AGENCIES AGAINST EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS; CREW HAS ALSO FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION, THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, AND OTHER AGENCIES CONCERNING VIOLATIONS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND TAX LAWS BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THOSE WHO SEEK TO INFLUENCE THEM, AS WELL AS BY CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE AND POLITICAL OR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE ORGANIZATION HAS LITIGATED AGAINST GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT THEY ADEQUATELY ENFORCE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS AND RELATED LAWS. CREW HAS INITIATED FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS AND OTHER OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS SEEKING INFORMATION REGARDING POTENTIAL ETHICS VIOLATIONS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, THE INFLUENCE OF MONEYED INTERESTS ON POLICY-MAKING, AND SECRET DECISION-MAKING. THE ORGANIZATION HAS FILED NUMEROUS LAWSUITS IN FEDERAL COURT OVER THE GOVERNMENT'S FAILURE TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THOSE REQUESTS. CREW HAS WORKED TO DEVELOP LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS TO IMPROVE ETHICS, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT AND IN CAMPAIGNS, AND HAS WORKED TO INFORM LEGISLATORS AND OTHERS OF THESE DESIRED REFORMS. CREW HAS ALSO WORKED TO ENCOURAGE APPROPIATE CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT OF GOVERNMENT.
NTEE category: Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy
Secondary category: Public & Societal Benefit