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EXCLUSIVE REPORT: House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith is calling for an investigation into The People’s Forum, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. He alleges that the group functions as an unofficial foreign agent for the Chinese Communist Party and uses taxpayer resources to support protests and disseminate propaganda.
In a letter sent on September 4 to Executive Director Manolo De Los Santos, Smith accused The People’s Forum of fostering violence and unrest throughout the United States.
Smith stated to Fox News Digital that the use of U.S. taxpayer-funded tax-exempt status to endorse foreign propaganda from a nation that is hostile to American interests, while simultaneously rationalizing terrorism, is both unacceptable and potentially illegal. He emphasized the necessity of transparency, asserting that this Committee will hold The People’s Forum accountable for its associations with the CCP and its contribution to violence in American communities.
Smith highlighted the group’s involvement in morally questionable activities, particularly after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 in Israel. He pointed out that shortly after this tragedy, The People’s Forum made statements rationalizing the terrorist acts, insisting that the attackers ‘have the right to resist.’ New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned these comments, labeling them as both abhorrent and morally repugnant.
Amid increasing scrutiny, Smith is demanding The People’s Forum disclose a comprehensive range of documents by September 18, including its donor lists, contracts, and correspondence with significant foreign contacts. Should the organization decline to comply, it risks receiving subpoenas, depositions, and potential criminal referrals to the Justice Department, along with an examination by the IRS regarding its tax-exempt status.
Additionally, The People’s Forum organized a rally in Times Square the following day, which attracted significant national backlash. Beyond their commentary on Israel, Smith accused the nonprofit of inciting riots at various college campuses and violent confrontations against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, notably in Los Angeles, which led to numerous arrests.
Smith also raised concerns regarding The People’s Forum’s role in advocating pro-CCP messaging. The organization has hosted celebratory events about the Chinese revolution and has collaborated with organizations tied to Beijing, such as the Qiao Collective. Furthermore, it shares close connections with media platforms within Neville Roy Singham’s network, a former technology mogul with pro-China affiliations.
Reports suggest that from 2017 to 2022, The People’s Forum accepted approximately $20 million from Singham and his wife, Jodie Evans, the founder of Code Pink, funneled through various shell companies and donor-advised funds, according to Smith’s letter.
Smith’s communication also indicated that The People’s Forum acknowledged receiving funds from Singham, an affluent American expatriate residing in Shanghai with established ties to the CCP.
The chairman argued that the financial arrangements, combined with the activities of the nonprofit, constitute operation as an unregistered foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Smith expressed that utilizing the benefits associated with tax-exempt status to distribute foreign propaganda while acting as a foreign agent is both unacceptable and illegal. He referenced prior instances where the Justice Department prosecuted foreign nationals for similar influence operations utilizing nonprofits as covers.
Documentation obtained by Smith’s office shows that the FBI has been investigating Singham since the 1970s due to associations with groups harmful to U.S. interests. Additionally, Singham has previously worked as a consultant for Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications company with known links to the CCP.
As of now, The People’s Forum has not provided any comments in response to requests from the media.
Raising Awareness on Nonprofit Activities
These developments highlight the critical importance of accountability and transparency within nonprofit organizations, particularly those that benefit from tax-exempt status.
Nonprofits may often operate in the gray area of political advocacy and foreign influence. The allegations against The People’s Forum underscore a pressing need for stringent oversight mechanisms to prevent the misuse of nonprofit status. Taxpayer-funded organizations should serve the public interest without acting as vehicles for foreign propaganda.
Potential Implications for Similar Organizations
The situation surrounding The People’s Forum could set a precedent for how other nonprofits may be scrutinized. If the Committee’s investigation reveals violations of law, it may lead to further inquiries into similar organizations and their compliance with U.S. regulations.
Consequently, increased oversight could reshape the landscape of nonprofit operations in the United States, ensuring that groups benefiting from tax exemptions align closely with American values and legal frameworks. This scrutiny could promote a healthier nonprofit sector, free from undue foreign influence.
Looking Ahead
The unfolding developments serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between freedom of speech and the accountability of organizations to adhere to U.S. laws. As this case progresses, it is likely to ignite further debate on the regulations governing nonprofits and the implications for foreign influence in American public life.
