Out-of-state group gave almost all of English-only campaign funds
By Michael Cass o Staff Writer o January 27, 2009
UPDATE: The group that unsuccessfully tried to force Metro to do business only in English received more than 90 percent of its funds from an out-of-state organization that has been linked to hate groups.
Nashville English First raised $89,722.76 for its campaign, according to campaign financial disclosures released today.
Of that, ProEnglish of Arlington, Va., contributed $82,500. A second donor, Nashville businessman Lee Beaman, gave $6,000, meaning two donors funded more than 98 percent of Nashville English First's campaign.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups around the country, has linked ProEnglish to such activity through other organizations founded by ProEnglish's founder, Dr. John H. Tanton.
Tanton has denied that any of his organizations are hate groups.
Metro voters rejected the English-only charter amendment last week, with about 57 percent opposed to the measure and 43 percent in favor.
Nashville English First actually filed its overdue disclosures Monday, but Metro Law Director Sue Cain instructed the Davidson County Election Commission not to release the documents because English First leaders had expressed concerns two weeks ago - when the forms were due - about their donors being threatened.
Cain told Election Administrator Ray Barrett in an email at 7:39 a.m. today that there was no evidence of "a substantial risk of bodily harm from a perceived likely threat."
Contact Michael Cass at 259-8838 or mcass@tennessean.com.
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090127/NEWS0206/90127008
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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