D.C. Seeks Increased Control of Nonprofit Groups

The Washington, D.C., government wants to give prosecutors more power to enforce laws against organizations that abuse their tax-exempt status or mishandle their money, reports The Examiner’s Washington edition. However, some nonprofit groups question the move, saying they are already sufficiently regulated.

Legislation currently before the D.C. Council would empower the city’s attorney general to investigate whether a nonprofit group has acted irresponsibly, paid excessive executive compensation, or made extravagant purchases. The new bill was prompted, in part, by recent problems at American University, which city officials say they were unable to do anything about because they lacked the authority to investigate.

For more on the American University controversy, see The Chronicle’s story. (A paid subscription is required to view this article.)