"FSU students have released a report (May 28th) revealing new evidence regarding the university’s agreement with the CKF/Charles Koch Foundation. Not only does the report find that the Koch agreement violates FSU’s donor policy but, contrary to university claims, the agreement was found to violate academic policy by a 2011 faculty senate investigation whose numerous findings appear to have been suppressed until being published in the student report. (Other suppressed findings include the manner in which the agreement was "forced" upon the department through threats and intimidation despite severe faculty dissent.)" "The student report makes several recommendations which have been submitted as public comment in FSU’s current review of its donor policy. As of June 4, FSU has conceded to half of the recommendations in the student report, but we are continuing to pressure them to accept the remaining recommendations. A new public comment period is open until midnight, June 25. We are calling on the public to submit comment so that we may once and for all have a donor policy that protects FSU from the undue influence of any donor."

In 2014, I published two stories about the surreptitious attempts by the Koch brothers to bribe their way into the academic freedom and integrity of FSU/Florida State University . The most recent story can be found in this link . For several years, FSU students, along with faculty, alumni, and concerned citizens have been adamantly dissenting the Koch influence on campus. One of the many dedicated and relentless activists in the movement is Ralph Benton Wilson. This week he contacted me with some promising news:Wilson also sent several links, which I have included below. One interesting aspect discussed throughout the reports is whether the Koch's 'gift' of millions is truly charitable. There are several IRS guidelines. One, I believe, is that in order for a 'gift' to be considered charitable, and thus tax deductible, there cannot be any goods or services received in return. If the Kochs are receiving faculty veto power, which leads to influence and control within faculty and classrooms, would that not lead to services received? If they try to claim these financial 'gifts' as tax deductions, are they in violation of tax laws? And when does a 'gift' cross over to a bribe? These questions would best be determined by the IRS/tax attorneys, and worthy of more investigation. It's healthy for the people to put these questions out there. But alleged tax violations via gifts, grants, donations, and tax deductions, are not the crux of this story (though the subject is juicy, I admit). This is about the unethical and unwanted influence the Kochs are interjecting into one university, more specifically, the Economics Department, and how one university is fighting back.

This first report points out the differences between gifts and grants. Here are two reasons why insidious 'trade' should not be considered a 'gift.'

According to one section in the Charles Koch Foundation agreement, the Kochs can withdraw their funds, for non-compliance, with only a 15-day notice to the university. During that period the department/university must correct itself to avoid losing the funding. The Kochs are basically saying, 'You don't follow our rules and do as we say (and quickly) we will take back part of the millions we've given you. Some might see this as a form of blackmail. Kochs are basically holding departments in FSU - hostage.

Also in the agreement, various Koch affiliates determine if a student, who is receiving Koch funding, is complying with the CKF 'objectives and purposes.' Should that student veer from those interests, that student should know he/she will be demoted to a department teaching assistantship for less pay and double the workload. In other words, Koch 'gifts' are the kind that keep on giving - back to the Kochs (via power, influence, and maybe huge tax deductions).

Student Review Of FSU 'Gift' Acceptance Policy (Link)

Executive Summary of Report (Link)

Uncensored Faculty Report (Link)

Here is an excellent 3-minute video by Brave New Films about Koch corruption in colleges.



FSU Petition and Public Comments (Link)

Sign the Online petition: "Protect FSU from the Charles Koch Foundation's undue influence by adopting the recommendations in student report."/strong>

Americans have been awakened, and they are coming after the Kochs, with a vengeance, from every Koch angle they can find, including education, taxes, environment, voting, elections, climate, and science.

Education and Taxes:

FSU is blasting their way out of Koch corruption while exposing alleged IRS/tax violations by the brothers. Wasn't it tax evasion that finally brought down one of the most infamous mobsters of all time, Al Capone? Why yes, it was.

Environment:

Last week additional legal motions were filed in the lawsuit against Rick Scott, Jeb Bush, and the Koch brothers. A covert deal was made, allowing the Koch company, Georgia Pacific, to dump millions of gallons of toxic waste into Florida waterways - every day. The online peration demanding a federal investigation leaped 6,000 signatures within three days after the Daily Kos story was published.

Voting/Elections:

In North Carolina the Koch's Tea Party darling, 'Americans For Prosperity' is being investigated for voter suppression/fraud. The organization sent out misleading voter packets to over 100k North Carolina residents just prior to the 2014 Midterms.

Science/Climate:

Protestors from all walks os life, including three dozen scientists, are urging The Smithsonian Institution to cut ties with climate denier, David Koch. They also have a petition.

Above are just a few examples of Americans exposing and fighting Koch corruption. And it's only the beginning. Many folks are now discovering just how massive the corruption is, and they more share, post, tweet, protest, boycott, and sign petitions, the faster we will take the odious duo down. Since this story is to support the FSU students and thank them for continuing their fight for years, please sign the FSU petition. Here's to our youth, our hope, and a Koch-free future.

(IRS, are you reading this? Hi.)