EXCLUSIVE: Young Republicans Under Independent Audit Over Chairman Rick Loughery’s Dark Money Power Grab

Shane Trejo |

Aug 30, 2022

The Young Republican National Federation (YRNF) has been thrown into shambles because of the organization’s Chairman Rick Loughery using a dark money slush fund to usurp power over the lawful board.

Now, the YRNF Auditor is speaking out Loughery’s illicit power grab. She issued a letter to Chairman Loughery on Aug. 27 demanding answers regarding credible allegations regarding the misallocation of funds.

“Over the last several months, I have become aware of accusations of mismanagement of YRNF funds, and further, the potential commingling of funds with a recently–established 501(c)(4) named YRs Run,” said Jessica Fernandez, YRNF Auditor, in her letter.

Loughery and his cronies established YRs Run, a dark money front group with zero accountability, as a way to syphon power from the YRNF’s name and well-established brand. This has caused widespread anger throughout the organization.

“To my knowledge, the National Committee has not adopted a budget because one has never been presented to them. As conservatives, we strictly abide by this standard because we firmly believe in living within our means. Budgets are also tools to ensure the highest standards of fund management,” Fernandez said.

“Article VII, Section 7.03 of the YRNF Bylaws requires disbursements of less than $1200.00 to be approved by the Executive Director, and disbursements in excess of $5000.00 may only be made at the National Board’s discretion. YRLC is a massive undertaking and certainly requires disbursements of these sizes, yet the National Board never considered their approval. I am concerned this lends credence to the accusation that the operation of YRLC was handled by YRs Run, not YRNF,” she continued.

“As Auditor, I am calling for an independent audit of YRNF’s records for the last twelve months to show unequivocally that YRNF has operated above board while YRs Run has been in existence,” Fernandez added.

Fernandez is “requesting access to all documents and records pertaining to the operation of the YRNF, including: bank statements, invoices, receipts, or other financial documents…no later than September 3, 2022.”

Big League Politics broke the story of Loughery’s YRs Run front group usurping power unlawfully over the national Young Republicans:

“Young Republicans National Federation (YRNF) chairman Rick Loughery founded a dark money 501c4 organization that is aggressively usurping the legitimate functions of the YRNF without approval from its membership.

Loughery with help from the YRNF general counsel, Ross Wolfe, founded YRs Run, a nonprofit organization based out of Pennsylvania, in order to exert authority over the Young Republicans without having to follow the YRNF’s bylaws or reporting requirements.

Wolfe’s father, J. Matthew Wolfe, founded the 501c4 in Pennsylvania, which he claimed was done because of his father’s expertise in organizing such groups.

“I don’t know why it would be a conflict of interest. The reason my father registered the organization is because he has experience doing that stuff and I don’t. I could have learned about it but didn’t really want to take the time to learn how to do it,” Wolfe told Big League Politics. His father is an influential attorney with deep ties to the Republican establishment of Pennsylvania.

Wolfe refused to address any questions about the ethical ramifications of the existence of YRs Run in concordance with the YRNF, claiming that commenting would be outside of his purview as general counsel.

YRs Run has already begun issuing candidate endorsements under the guise of being an official Young Republicans organization while being a separate, independent entity.

YR members are concerned that Loughery’s shady involvement with YRs Run may allow him to continue controlling the YR organization even after finishes his final term next year. Loughery is attempting to create a political dynasty and exploit his leadership role with the YRs and the group’s connections to do so…

YRs Run will also permit Loughery to flout transparency requirements that are required through the YRNF. The YRNF is listed as a 527 under the IRS code and required to file periodic reports of contributions and expenditures. YRs Run can skirt this requirement under their 501c4 designation and take money from any interest without any public disclosure. This is how Loughery can launder globalist money through his new organization with zero accountability or transparency.”

We will continue to cover Loughery-gate as his RINO leadership façade continues to crumble in the weeks and months to come.

EXCLUSIVE: Young Republicans Under Independent Audit Over Chairman Rick Loughery’s Dark Money Power Grab

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