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May 21, 2008

Government Drops Inquiry Into Obama Church

The Internal Revenue Service has dropped its investigation into allegations the United Church of Christ violated federal laws on electioneering.

In a letter. to the church, the IRS said the church’s responses to its inquiry had satisfied the tax agency that the organization had not broken any laws.

The IRS notified church officials in February that the government had a “reasonable belief” that the church had engaged in forbidden political activities when Sen. Barack Obama spoke at a major conference held by the church last year in Hartford, Conn. The IRS also expressed its concern that 40 volunteers for Mr. Obama, an Illinois Democrat who belongs to the church, “staffed campaign tables outside the [convention] center to promote” Mr. Obama’s presidential bid.

Under federal law, churches and charities must not participate in a political campaign by supporting or opposing a candidate for public office.

Officials of the United Church of Christ denied any wrongdoing. They told the IRS that they extended the invitation to Mr. Obama months before he announced his candidacy and that Mr. Obama was asked to speak about how his personal faith intersected with his public life.

What’s more, the church said it did not authorize campaign volunteers for Mr. Obama to set up tables near the convention center’s entrances, which are on public property.

— Grant Williams

Wednesday May 21, 2008 | Permalink

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