Nevermind flim-flaming, shellgames, money laundering and other old dodges to cover up illegal activity.
The newest scheme, created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is hiding foreign money used to fund American campaign activities against Democrats in the mid-term election.
The Tillman Act of 1907 makes that economic influence illegal, but a recent Supreme Court decision invalidated the disclosure requirements identifying sources.
And Republicans recently beat back legislation that required disclosure of financial sponsorship of campaign materials.
Foreign affiliates, meanwhile, are pumping millions of dollars into the Chamber's general fund for "lobbying and advocacy efforts," according to spokesmen for the business group.
Yeah, sure. The Chamber's general fund will spend $75 million to influence voters across America this year.
"No foreign money is used to fund political activity, " says the Chamber. But once those bucks are mixed into a common pot, how can anyone identify the foreign dollars and keep them separate?
Now you see 'em, now you don't. (10 OCTOBER 2010)
