Friday, October 15, 2010

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation Donates Again To The Republican Governors Association: $250,000

By Lee Fang In June, Fox News’ parent company News Corporation gave a $1 million donation to the Republican Governors Association. This evening, IRS disclosures reveal that News Corporation gave another check, time for $250,000, bringing his total donation amount to $1,250,000. Other donors include Bill Koch, who donated $100,000, Swift Boat-funder Bob Perry, who gave $3.5 million, and right-wing casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who gave $1 million to the Republican campaign group.

News Corporation chief Rupert Murdoch recently stated that he directed his company’s donation in order to help his friend John Kasich, the Republican nominee for governor in Ohio. As ThinkProgress’ Ian Millhiser noted, there actually are laws against corporate managers treating a publicly-traded corporation as if it were their own personal bank account. Although News Corporation was founded in Australia, it was recently reincorporated in Delaware and thus must comply with key Delaware court decisions. Significantly, the Delaware Supreme Court determined over 70 years ago that “[c]orporate officers and directors are not permitted to use their position of trust and confidence to further their private interests.”

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