The oldest conservative grassroots organization is in disarray after the American Conservative Union’s treasurer announced a sudden resignation from the group that runs the Conservative Political Action Conference. In his resignation letter, Bob Beauprez alleges financial mismanagement largely laying the blame at the feet of Chairman Matt Schlapp.
Beauprez accused Schlapp of concealing financial records of this year’s CPAC event, failing to offer transparency over CPAC money paid to his lawyer, and violating bylaws by paying board members without a vote and solely controlling when the board meets.
Beauprez describes a growing “cancer” within the organization that raises donations year-round to spend on conservative interests.
Right now, this story isn’t getting a lot of coverage in the mainstream. And when it is being talked about, only left-leaning media outlets are reporting on the story. According to the Straight Arrow News Media Miss tool, there is a total absence of right-leaning outlets reporting on the treasurer’s resignation.
Schlapp responded to the treasurer’s resignation letter, denying the allegations of misusing money, concealing donations and financial records, and mistreatment of staffers.
CPAC’s top leader says the accusations are without merit, calling it a “political assassination attempt.”
The former treasurer’s accusations against Schlapp are just the latest controversy to engulf the chairman’s reputation. Schlapp was accused of groping a staffer on Herschel Walker’s senate campaign with the accuser taking Schlapp to court in a defamation lawsuit.
Schlapp’s attorney was apparently paid $50,000 dollars out of CPAC funds which was approved by the board. But Beauprez said in his resignation letter that the fees might have spiraled to more than $270,000. This would be money raised from private donors.
Internal affairs at CPAC are in question while the organization seeks to have an impact in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
