Charitable Foundation for Personal Use Raises Questions

Senator Jim Bunning, Republican, Kentucky has a charitable foundation that was created in 1996.  Besides being a Junior Senator, Bunning is best remembered for his role as a major league pitcher and his role for the pennant race in 1964 (but the race was lost to the St. louis Cardinals).  Around the time he was elected the the Baseball Hall of Fame he began a charitable foundation.

Bunning was able to collect fees for signing autographs and placed this money into a foundation to date as reported by the Herald-Leader of Kentucky, $504,000.  Senators are limited to outside income, but are permitted to collect money for charitable causes.

In 2001, Bunning reported earning $15,000 in salary from his foundation and every year since then he has reported earning earning $20,000 for a total of $180,000 in salary.  The foundations charitable contributions have totaled $136,435.

Although the Senate Ethics Committee and the IRS approved the foundation, there are those who have raised an eyebrow to the foundations ratio of contributions in comparison with the contributions to the founder.  Outsiders questioning the motif of the Senator have pointed out another way for legislators to skirt the limits.

No charges have been brought against the Senator and the foundation maintains legal status and compliance and so does Senator Jim Bunning.