Bruce F. Freed is president of the Center for Political Accountability; and William S. Laufer is the Julian Aresty Endowed Professor and Director of the Carol at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. This post is based on their recent memorandum.
The primer was jointly produced by the Center for Political Accountability, an NGO leading the effort to bring transparency and accountability to corporate political spending, and The Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton Impact).
The primer couldn’t be more timely as K Street and corporate America brace for possible post-midterm congressional investigations. Business leaders and general counsels know that their companies’ political donations will be in the crosshairs.
For companies, the primer comes out as corruption has become a major political issue. A recent Gallup survey found a record-high 89 percent in the U.S. responded that government corruption, of which political spending is a part, is widespread. (Record-High 89% in U.S. Say Government Corruption Widespread)
