Corporate lobbyists forged one or more letters from AAUW to members of Congress. This blatant act of fraud is unacceptable. As AAUW's Linda Hallman and Lisa Maatz have pointedly said, "how dare they trade on AAUW's good reputation?" The media and online community have echoed our concerns and indignation.
Mainstream Media
November 9
Editorial: Undermining an essential trust: Astroturf
The Roanoke Times
By The Roanoke Times, Va.
November 6
Thurber: Advertisement praising grass-roots lobbyist a ‘mistake’
The Hill
By Jim Snyder
November 3
Groups Impersonated by Big Coal Testify Before Congress
DeSmog Blog
By Mitchell Anderson
October 30
Bonner’s “Legal” Astroturfing Activities Also Extremely Dubious
Mother Jones
By Kate Sheppard
Shame on You! Fraudulent Letters Hearing
Climate Crossroads
By Julian Carmona
Hearing to Investigate Forged Letters
OMB Watch
By Amanda Adams
House Scrutinizes Fake Letters Sent to Congress
NPR
By Andrea Seabrook
Bonner: Sorry for fake letters
Charlottesville Daily Progress
By Brian McNeill
World/National news: Lobbyists and liars
News Day/Twin Cities Daily Planet
By Mary Turck
October 29
Congress Grills Coal Group ACCCE Over Failure to Disclose Forged Letters
SolveClimate
By Stacy Morford
Coal group, grassroots firm knew of forgeries before climate vote
The Hill
By Jim Snyder
Did Coal Lobby CEO Lie Under Oath?
Mother Jones
By Kate Sheppard
October 28
The Latest in the Bonner Forged Letters Controversy
Mother Jones
By Kate Sheppard
October 27
Outside groups do candidates’ dirty work
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
By Joel Connelly
October 14
New twist in ‘astroturf’ coal campaign
Politico
By Lisa Lerer
September 15
Obama vs. the Lobbyists
Mother Jones
By Andy Kroll
September 7
Climate and dirty-energy groups were busy over summer vacation
Grist Magazine
September 6
Groups Launch Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line
Silobreaker Via YubaNet
September 5
Groups Launch Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line
YubaNet Via National Wildlife Federation
September 4
Phony Letters Prompt Call for Ban on Fraudulent "Grassroots" Lobbying
By Brian McNeill, Media General News Service
In wake of fake letters to Congress, groups call for ban on such tactics
Daily Progress
By Brian McNeill
September 3
Groups Launch Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line
YubaNet via daylife
Groups Call for Congressional Hearing on Forged Cap-and-Trade Letters
Roll Call
By Anna Palmer
Groups set up forged climate letter hotline
The Hill
By Jim Snyder
Environmentalists Open Forgery Tip Line
The Atlantic – Politics Blog
By Chris Good
Coal and oil lobby under investigation for fraud, New citizen tip line open
Examiner
By Amy Lou Jenkins
Combating fraudulent letters from fossil fuel lobbyists
WMNF 88.5 FM Community Radio, Tampa
By Mitch E. Perry
Groups Launch Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line
National Wildlife Federation (NWF) News & Views – Press Release
Contact: Tony Iallonardo
August 26
Forged letters scandal gets personal
The Daily Progress – Letter to the editor
By Jill R. Birdwhistell, PhD
August 19, 2009
New letter found in lobbying scandal
The Daily Progress
By Brian McNeill
August 18, 2009
Markey releases more forged letters
The Hill
By Jim Snyder
Markey Investigation Uncovers More Forged Letters
Roll Call
By Anna Palmer
Astroturf on Coal’s Grave?
The Atlantic
By Lisa Margonelli
You’ve got (bogus) mail
Wall Street Journal – Blogs: Environmental Capital
By Stephen Power
More anti-climate-bill letters forged under names of senior-citizen groups
Grist Magazine
By Kate Sheppard
More Fake Letters to Congress on Energy Bill
New York Times
By Stephanie Strom
Congress Discovers Another Forged Advocacy Letter
Washington Post – Blogs: Capitol Briefing - Washington, DC
By David A. Fahrenthold
In our culture, faked seems as good as fact
The Daily Progress Editorial
Bonner’s Latest Astroturf Admission (Plus More Fake Letters)
Mother Jones
By Daniel Schulman
Probe finds more forged lobby firm letters
(Second story down)
United Press International (UPI)
Aug. 15, 2009
Cooperation vowed in forged-letters probe
Richmond Times-Dispatch
By Brian McNeill Media General News Service
Aug. 14, 2009
Groups accused of sending forged letters to Perriello respond to Congress
Lynchburg News Advance
Media General News Service
Aug. 7, 2009
More Groups' Names Used for Fraudulent Letters
New York Times
By Stephanie Strom
Forged climate bill letters a 'blatant fraud,''says women's group
Grist Magazine - Seattle, WA
By Kate Sheppard
Aug. 6, 2009
More Forgeries Emerge in Climate Lobbying Effort
Washington Post – Blogs: Capitol Briefing - Washington, DC
By David A. Fahrenthold
Forged letters not the first of ACCCE's misrepresentations
Grist Magazine – Seattle, WA
By Kate Sheppard
Coal lobby's forgery scandal grows
Facing South
By Sue Sturgis
Aug. 5, 2009
Markey demands info on coal group's role in forged climate-bill letters
Grist Magazine - Seattle, WA
By Kate Sheppard
Forged letters scandal widens
Charlottesville Daily Progress - Charlottesville, VA
By Brian McNeill
AAUW State & Branch Highlight
Aug. 6, 2009
Capitol Briefing - More Forgeries Emerge in Climate Lobbying Effort
AAUW Kingston, NY Branch Blog
By Ruth Wahtera
Blogosphere
September 13
Citizen hotline for reporting fraudulent tactics by opponents of climate and clean energy bill
Climate Science Watch
September 11
Dirty coal group's 14th forgery impersonated American veterans
Climate Progress
September 10
14th Forged Letter Found by Congress, Sent to Perriello
HOV (Heartland of Virginia)
By Mark Brooks
September 9
Stop the Lies: Blow The Whistle
US Climate Action Network
By Rhys Gerholdt
September 8
Consumers Energy/Ash Pits; Groups launch polluter fraud tip line
Via NWF
September 7
Groups Launch Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line – National Wildlife Federation
Earthblips Via NWF
Groups Launch Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line | ForestWander
Broken Controllers Via ForestWander
Groups Launch Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line
ForestWander
Forestwander – Groups Launch Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line
ForestWander
September 5
Astroturf-Busting Hotline Launched
DeSmog Blog
By Mitchell Anderson
September 4
Capital Eye Opener: Friday, September 4
Who You Gonna Call? (second entry)
Capital Eye Blog
By Michael Beckel
Astroturf-Busting Hotline Launched
Earth-Stream: Pollution and Warming Press Review
By DeSmogBlog.com
Astroturf-Busting Hotline Launched
BBN3 (Broadband Network Three)
Via DeSmog Blog
September 3
What If There Were Personal Injury Lawyers for Polluter Fraud?
TheGreenMiles.com
By Miles Grant
Astroturf-Busting Hotline Launched
DeSmog Blog
By Mitchell Anderson
Are You a Victim of Polluter Fraud?
Wildlife Promise blog – via National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
By Miles
Liberal Groups Set Up Hotline For Forged Letters
TPMMuckraker
By Zachary Roth
Know of Polluters' Deceptive or Fraudulent Tactics? Report Them Here
Climate Crossroads Blog – via Sierra Club
By Natalie Gaber
EM:/ Groups launch polluter fraud tip line
Enviromich
By Jeff
Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line Launches Thursday
The Falcon and the Dove
By Areya Simmons
August 19, 2009
Another fraudulent fear mongering letter from Bonner & Assoc. discovered
What is right for Virginia? Blog
By JC White
August 18, 2009
More Forged Letters: Astroturf Firm Invoked Struggling Seniors To Argue Against Climate Bill
TPMMuckraker
By Justin Elliott
Five More Forged Letters Uncovered From Bonner & Associates’ Work for DC Coal Lobby – Read Them Here
Huffington Post
By Kevin Grandia
Rep. Markey reveals 5 more forged astroturf letters
Climate Progress (via Think Progress)
Rep. Markey Reveals Five More Forged Astroturf Letters
Think Progress
By Victor Zapanta
Forged Letter Scandal Highlights Need for Greater Disclosure
OMB Watch
Aug. 12, 2009
Revisiting Grassroots Lobbying Disclosure
OMB Watch
By Amanda Adams
Aug. 8, 2009
Big Coal Impersonating Charities?
Earth-Stream: Pollution and Warming Press Review
By DeSmogBlog.com
Aug. 7, 2009
Big Coal Impersonating Charities?
DeSmog Blog
By Mitchell Anderson
Bonner hoax expands
The Online Lunchpail™
By Bandit Group
Whose Name Was Signed To Forged Letter: 'It's Outright Deceit'
TPMMuckraker
By Rachel Slajda
Aug. 6, 2009
"Mountains Just Get In the Way" and other gems from the Coal Lobby
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
By Anne
Coal Group Knew About Forged Letters Before Climate Vote
Really? Seriously? - A Project of the League of Conservation Voters
By Hasan
Aug. 5, 2009
Rep. Perriello: Coal Fraudster Impersonated Women's And Seniors' Groups As Well
Think Progress
By Brad Johnson
Rep. Perriello: Coal Fraudster Impersonated Women's And Seniors' Groups As Well
One Penny Sheet
Rep. Perriello: Coal Fraudster Impersonated Women's And Seniors' Groups As Well
Wonk Room
By Brad Johnson
Background Information
September 2
Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line Launches Thursday, Sept. 3
AAUW – Press Release
Contact: Lisa Goodnight
Polluter Fraud Citizen Tip Line Launches
AAUW Dialog
By Lisa Goodnight
Aug. 18, 2009
Lobbyists sent 13 fake letters to Hill
Politico
By Lisa Lerer
Aug. 14, 2009
New Coal Ads Emphasize Energy Costs in Bid for 'Hearts and Minds'
New York Times
By Anne C. Mulkern
Aug. 4 & 5, 2009 – 2 segments of same story:
Unnatural Mail Enhancement
MSNBC – The Rachel Maddow Show
Unnatural Mail Enhancement
MSNBC – The Rachel Maddow Show
