Mike Flynn’s Nonprofit Under Scrutiny for Payments to Family ‘Burning Through Reserves’
(AP Photo)
Former Donald Trump adviser Mike Flynn has leveraged his notoriety as a MAGA cheerleader to transition from an obscure military officer to the head of a nonprofit organization that he is reportedly draining with a massive salary for himself and payments to a wide array of relatives.
According to a report from the New York Times, after two years, Flynn’s nonprofit, America’s Future Inc., “was running in the red, burning through reserves — and still paying $518,000, or 29 percent of its budget,” to the retired general and his family.
At one point, Flynn used donations to pay himself a salary of $40,000 for a two-hour workweek.
As the Times’ David A. Fahrenthold and Alexandra Berzon wrote, Flynn’s nonprofit has employed “one of his brothers, two of his sisters, his niece, and his sister-in-law.” They added, “A New York Times investigation found Flynn family members had made at least $2.2 million monetizing Michael Flynn’s right-wing stardom in recent years, with more than half of that going to Mr. Flynn directly.” This total includes several payments not previously reported, though it remains a low estimate since not all financial records are public.
The report raises questions about whether America’s Future Inc., which is based on spreading conspiracy theories, has “properly disclosed its payments to Mr. Flynn’s relatives.”
“Mr. Flynn and his relatives did not respond directly to questions. A lawyer for Mr. Flynn, Jesse Binnall, said in an interview that the Flynns had earned their payments from America’s Future and other groups and that any errors in their filings were unintentional,” the Times reported.
The revelations have sparked controversy and concerns about the management and transparency of Flynn’s nonprofit. Critics argue that the organization’s financial practices highlight a broader issue of accountability in political nonprofits, especially those connected to high-profile figures like Flynn.
As scrutiny intensifies, the future of America’s Future Inc. and its financial dealings remains uncertain. The allegations have not only put Flynn’s nonprofit under the spotlight but also raised broader questions about the ethical implications of leveraging political fame for personal financial gain.
The investigation underscores the need for rigorous oversight and transparency in nonprofit organizations, particularly those involved in political activities. Flynn’s case serves as a reminder of the potential for abuse when financial oversight is lax, and the importance of ensuring that donations are used for their intended purposes.
