Calif. Houses of Worship Gave Political Donations

Thirty-nine houses of worship in Los Angeles have made donations to political campaigns totaling $15,000 since 1998, according to the city’s Ethics Commission records, reports the Los Angeles Daily News. The political contributions could threaten the organizations’ tax-exempt status, the paper says, since such activity is prohibited for charitable groups.

Many religious officials contacted by the newspaper said they were unaware that such donations violate IRS laws, and others denied any wrongdoing.