As Scandal Engulfs American Legislative Exchange Council’s U.K. Affiliate, A Closer Look At Its US Operation

Lee Fang and Scott Keyes on Oct 17, 2011 published this story about ALEC and its UK affiliate (Atlantic Bridge) in Think Progress.

The article also includes an embedded YouTube report of attempts to report on the ALEC meeting in New Orleans this year. It has also been embedded here.  Two for one!

Inside the 2011 American Legislative Exchange Council conference - New Orleans

The story about Atlantic Bridge is very revealing at how a lack of public accountability, behind the scenes meetings, hidden agendas easily corrupts politics.

The Atlantic Bridge, the British affiliate organization to the American Legislative Exchange Council, is quickly erupting into a scandal that may force the public to scrutinize the practices of both right-wing groups. Earlier this month, the U.K.’s Charity Commission shut down Atlantic Bridge after an investigation revealed that the nonprofit has operated as little more than a front for various corporate lobbying and Tory party interests. The scandal has already forced the resignation of David Cameron’s Defense Secretary Liam Fox after the revelation that the Atlantic Bridge’s London-based director, Adam Werritty, had improperly acted as a high level advisor to Fox while employed by a number of military industry and lobbying clients.

 It seems a shame that we must resort to "guilt by association" but it seems the "smoking gun" is all to often in the room.

Presidential candidate Herman Cain’s spokesperson and foreign policy adviser also has strong ties to Atlantic Bridge.

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