CAUTION: More Disturbing News about "American Right to Life"

In the last two editions of NRL News, we reported that National Right to Life has received numerous telephone calls from individuals around the nation who have been telemarketed by an " organization" calling itself "American Right to Life." In their pitch, this entity is identified as a "federal political action committee" raising money to fight partial-birth abortion. Initially, we reported that the group had not registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). However, on July 7, 1998, a "Statement of Organization" was received by the FEC. The statement lists an address that turns out to be a Mail Boxes, Etc., location here in Washington, D.C. The "suite number" listed on the group's letterhead is presumably a box at this place of business where boxes are rented and mail can be received using a street address.

In addition, we reported that National Right to Life was informed of a physical office location. NRLC staffers were sent to visit this address during normal business hours on a Tuesday afternoon, and found the "headquarters" to be a small basement apartment of a Washington, D.C., rowhouse. A simple piece of copy paper that read "American Right to Life" was taped to the window and served to identify its "office." The blinds were drawn, the door was closed and locked, and there was no indication of any business activity therein. The same conditions were found on a subsequent visit to the location.

New disturbing developments have occurred with the filing of " American Right to Life's" July and August monthly reports with the FEC. On August 25, 1998, "American Right to Life's" monthly report, covering the period from July 1 to July 31, 1998, was received by the FEC. The report indicates that no money had been given or spent to support the election of any federal candidate during that period. In fact, the only entity that had received any money from "American Right to Life" during the July reporting period was Capital Communications, a recently formed fundraising and telemarketing firm in Mesa, Arizona. A total of $64,898.81 had been raised as of July 31, 1998. A total of $44,636.10 was already paid to Capital Communications, and an additional $19,212.00 was listed as owed to Capital Communications. Interestingly enough, the chairman of "American Right to Life," a man by the name of Patrick Mooney, listed his occupation on the report as a "fundraiser."

The August monthly report, received by the FEC on September 22, 1998, shows significantly more money raised. $179,354.00 was raised in that month alone, bringing the total amount raised to $244,253.00. However, the report did not list any money being given or spent to support the election of any federal candidate through August 31. The group's telemarketing firm, Capital Communications, was paid another $146,383.00 during the month of August. In addition, $525.00 was paid for list rental, $425.00 for rent, and another $80.00 was paid to the

telephone company. With all of the money they had already paid to Capital Communications, a total of $191,019.10, they were still in debt to this telemarketing firm as of August 31. $51,879.00 is listed as owed to Capital Communications as of August 31, and another $1,050.71 is listed as owed to "American Right to Life" chairman, Patrick Mooney. In fact, the group's debt exceeded its cash on hand by $726.00 as of August 31, according to the report.

It also appears that "American Right to Life" has not been present on Capitol Hill during the effort to override President Clinton's veto of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in the Senate. No one on National Right to Life's lobbying team has come into contact with anyone identifying himself as working for "American Right to Life."

Once again, National Right to Life urges pro-lifers everywhere to be extremely cautious if a call or letter is received from this group or any other group which is unfamiliar to you. We believe that National Right to Life is the only single-issue pro- life group in Washington with the organization, credibility, and means to defend life at all stages. That is why Fortune magazine listed NRLC in the top 10 most effective groups in Washington, ahead of hundreds of other non-profits and businesses with far larger budgets.

Furthermore, we believe that your pro-life donations are most efficiently and effectively used when given to the National Right to Life Committee and National Right to Life's state affiliates.