Illustration by Joe Magee for Documented

Dark Money Group Weaponizes State Treasurers in Attacks on Climate Policy

The State Financial Officers Foundation has emerged as a key coordinator of opposition to climate action in the financial sector.

Investigation

August 5 2022

Document

Document Reveals How the ALEC Annual Meeting Agenda is Shaped by its Donors

A sponsorship opportunities packet for the 2022 American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, taking place July 27-29, 2022. The document reveals an extensive "pay-to-play" list of options for corporate sponsors. Donors can help set the agenda for various sessions at the meeting, and depending on the level of their financial support, can determine who the speakers are, and who can get in the room to hear them.

Investigation Series

The State Financial Officers Foundation: A New Front in the Dark Money Attack on Climate Policy

Investigation

Dark Money Group Weaponizes State Treasurers in Attacks on Climate Policy

The State Financial Officers Foundation has emerged as a key coordinator of opposition to climate action in the financial sector.

August 5 2022

Document

SFOF President Passes Along Opposition Research on Organization "For The Long Term"

In a March 2022 email SFOF President Derek Kreifels passes along opposition information on Democratic and climate-focused rival treasurer group called "For the Long Term."

Published: August 5 2022

Document

SFOF July 2021 Salt Lake City Meeting Agenda

Agenda for SFOF's meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah held in conjunction with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)

Published: August 5 2022

Investigation

Internal Documents Shed Light on SFOF's Attack on Climate Policy

Never before published materials, including meeting agendas, internal communications and advocacy letters, pull back the curtain on a little-known, yet highly influential organization of state financial officers coordinating an attack on climate financing.

August 5 2022

Document

SFOF Unilever Letter Coordination

Communications between SFOF and Arizona Deputy State Treasurer Mark Swenson show how SFOF is involved in advocacy letters.

Published: August 5 2022

Document

December 2021 Heritage Foundation Follows up on Utah ESG Call

Email correspondence with Heritage Foundation and the Utah State Treasurer's office.

Published: August 5 2022

Mark Meadows, who previously served as the Chief of Staff for President Donald Trump and is now a senior partner at the Conservative Partnership Institute, speaking at the Council for National Policy in May 2019.

Investigation Series

The Trump-Aligned Conservative Partnership Institute is Leading Attacks on Democracy and Creating an "America First" Political Infrastructure

Investigation

Conservative Partnership Institute: The Trump-aligned $19.7M Institution Creating “America First” Political Infrastructure

Trump: "CPI is helping to build out the vital infrastructure we need to lead the America First movement to new heights."

July 10 2022

Document

CPI Annual Report for 2021 Shows Giant Jump in Fundraising, Details the Launch of Numerous New Organizations

CPI fundraising went from $7.3m in 2020, to $19.7m in 2021. Politico has reported that $1 million went from Donald Trump's Save America PAC to CPI in 2021.

Published: April 4 2022

Investigation

Recordings Reveal What's Really Going On in Cleta Mitchell’s Election Integrity Network

The Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) is working to build what it calls a “permanent election infrastructure” in eight swing states staffed with people fully committed to election conspiracies.

August 2 2022

Document

CPI - the New Home of Mark Meadows and Cleta Mitchell - Hosted "War Rooms" to Oppose KBJ Confirmation

The Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) hosted "SCOTUS war rooms against Ketanji Brown Jackson," according to an email sent to the group's "partners," a copy of which was obtained by Documented.

Published: April 4 2022

Leaked Recording

Leaders of the Big Lie Movement Warn Donors Not to Fund Catherine Engelbrecht of True the Vote

During an August 2020 session at the Council for National Policy, author John Fund said Engelbrecht had "hooked up with the wrong people" and had "gone astray." “I would not give her a penny,” Fund said.

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Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson speak during a press conference to discuss the impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol on January 22, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Swiping Right: Tinder's Corporate Overlord Amongst Donors to Republican Attorneys General Group Working to Undermine Democracy

February 3 2022|By Nick Surgey

Photograph of an oil well flaring gas in Muskegon County, Michigan. Taken in May 2016.

Consulting Firm with Ties to Green Groups Plays Both Sides on EPA Methane Rule

January 6 2022|By Jesse Coleman & Colette Rosenberg

A protester holding a sign about the climate change denial of ExxonMobil at the protest Our Generation, Our Choice in Washington, D.C., on November 10th 2015.

IN PARTNERSHIP with

Exxon Is Still Denying Climate Science—Including Its Own

December 10 2021|By Jesse Coleman & Emily Atkin

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) leaves the U.S. Capitol after a vote October 27, 2021 in Washington, DC.

climate

Manchin’s Secret Meeting With Coal Barons and Climate Deniers at a Luxury Golf Resort

November 1 2021|By Nick Surgey

Donald Trump Speaking at the Council for National Policy, October 2020.

Reporting

Documented Research on the Council for National Policy Featured in Major Washington Post Investigation

October 25 2021|By Nick Surgey

Investigation Series

The Republican War on Democracy

Investigation + Recording

Exclusive: Documented Obtains Recording of 3 Hour Long Voter Suppression Strategy Session Hosted by ALEC

The invite only meeting covered a broad range of election focussed topics, including voter access, drop boxes, Voter ID, election audits, redistricting, protecting the electoral college, and "Zuckerbucks"

December 2 2021

Investigation

Recordings and Materials From Council for National Policy Meetings

Dozens of recordings and documents obtained by Documented reveal what happens behind closed doors at CNP meetings

November 10 2021

video

Heritage Action Brags About Writing GOP Voter Suppression Bills

Video obtained by Documented and shared with Mother Jones reveals Heritage Foundation's political arm bragging about pushing voter suppression bills.

Published: May 13 2021

story

Google, Deloitte, and Citigroup quietly collaborate with GOP group pushing voter suppression

Several corporations supporting voting rights publicly are funding and collaborating with a top GOP group advocating voter suppression laws.

May 17 2021|By Nick Surgey & Judd Legum

video

Lisa Nelson ALEC Election Efforts

Lisa Nelson speaks with members at the Council for National Policy about efforts ALEC is taking with state legislators to question "the validity of an election."

Published: October 26 2020

story

Conservative Operatives Float Plan to Place Retired Military, Police Officers as GOP Poll Watchers on Election Day

On election day in November, some polling places could be patrolled by off-duty police officers and veterans, according to a plan hatched by Republican operatives.

April 12 2020|By Nick Surgey & Lee Fang