‘Smurfing’ new era of campaign donation fraud, GOP consultant says identity fraudulently used to donate to ActBlue
- Mark Block discovered that his old email account was used to make unauthorized donations to ActBlue.
- The fraudulent activity is associated with a scheme known as 'smurfing,' which creates the illusion of many small donors.
- There are serious concerns about the integrity of campaign donations and the potential for foreign influence in U.S. elections.
In Wisconsin, a Republican consultant named Mark Block has filed a lawsuit alleging identity theft related to campaign donations made to ActBlue, a prominent fundraising platform for Democrats. Block discovered that an old email account he used during Herman Cain's 2012 presidential campaign was fraudulently utilized to make donations without his consent. This incident is part of a broader concern regarding a scheme known as 'smurfing,' which allows individuals to bypass Federal Election Commission (FEC) reporting requirements by creating the appearance of numerous small-dollar donors. Mike Berry, the Executive Director of the America First Policy Institute’s Center for Litigation, emphasizes the need to uncover the true source of these funds, suggesting that a significant portion may originate from overseas. The case highlights the potential vulnerabilities in campaign finance and raises questions about the integrity of political donations in the United States.