Christian Civic League (Maine) Files 2010 IRS 990 Return Late‏

Things of note from the recently filed 2010 IRS 990-EZ return for the Christian Civic League of Maine (Employer Identification Number 01-0044660), which is attached in two parts:

 

The filing was prepared 10/4/2011 by Edwards, Faust, & Smith, (Bangor, Maine) CPAs, and they had an extension to file, which ended 10/31/2011.  It was not signed until 11/7/2011 by Conley, Jr.  It was filed late, received by the IRS on 11/14/2011.  It was scanned 12/7/2011 by the IRS, and sent to me 12/14/2011 by IRS.

 

Three of the five listed Board of Directors members are no longer current/active: Alfred J. (Al) Cooper III (139 Congress Street, Millinocket, ME 04462 207-723-9867 Home, 207-731-7965 Cell t3r8lake@myfairpoint.net), Mrs. Christiana Poole (544 River Road, Newcastle, ME 04553 207-563-1232 Home 207-380-9252 Cell jepoole@roadrunner.com), and Rev. Samuel Moore (Sam) Logan, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 279 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101, P.O. Box 79, Waldoboro, ME 04572 207-828-2102 Work 207-607-1801 Cell Frlogan7@aol.com).

 

See the Board of Directors attachment for additional contact information for the other current Board members and Executive Director.  

 

All Board members and the Executive Director have listed the P.O. Box (5459) of the CCLM as their address in the filing, which was odd.  It is odd, too, that Rev. Robert K. (Bob) Emrich is not listed as a Director in 2010.  My understanding is that he was a member of the Board of Directors that year.

 

The $23,715 in compensation for Conley, Jr. (from Page 2) was a partial year salary only.  He began employment in late July, 2010 and so that figure represents salary for only five months.  Annualized, his salary would have been $55,620 without any additional benefits included.  Per the attached Board meeting minutes from 2010, Conley, Jr. is allowed an additional $27,000 in benefits and paid expenses in addtion to this income.

 

On Page 7 (overall) of the form, in Schedule O of the 990-EZ, the "Primary Exempt Purpose" of the League is listed as: "To make the public aware of ethical issues so that good laws can be enacted and impartially enforced." 

 

I have never, in my years of working at the League previously, heard of this 'primary purpose' before, like someone (the CPA?) was just making it up.

 

Finally, I requested from the IRS a copy of the Christian Education League's 2010 990 return also, at the same time as this return, but have not received it as yet (two business days now after receiving this CCLM return).  The CEL (Employer Identification Number 01-6018966) is the 501(c)3 counterpart non-profit corporation to the CCLM, which is a 501(c)4 non-profit corporation.

 

This could potentially indicate that the CEL has not yet filed its required 990 return for 2010.  Some enterprising person or reporter should inquire with them about this.  

 

Mike Hein

Augusta, Maine