Bill Clinton tops list of expensive speakers at non-profit hospital set to layoff more workers
Bill Clinton’s $225,000 speaking fees at the Washington Hospital Center as raised some eyebrows as the non-profit hospital was “in the middle of two big rounds of layoffs” and may still be strapped for cast, says the Washington Times.
“No disrespect to Bill Clinton, but that money could’ve gone a long way and been put to better use,” said Dan Fields Jr., president of the Service Employees International Union Local 722 representing hospital workers.
“Our contract expires on June 30, and I’m pretty sure they’re going to come to the table and talk about how they’re losing money, so this concerns me greatly.”
Nonprofit organizations hire big name speakers to raise funds or speak at their conferences, but the fees are not disclosed in their IRS filings, but these fees were part of Hillary Clinton’s financial disclosures.
Former President George W. Bush was also a keynote speaker at the same conference this year, but a hospital spokeswoman said she could not disclose a fee because of a contractual arrangement with his speakers bureau.
“There’s enough ambiguity in how these things are reported that it could be reported in places where there’s no requirement for a breakout,” said Marcus Owens, former director of the IRS exempt organization division.
Owens said nonprofit groups could classify big speaking fees and fundraising or educational expenses.
“It’s not unusual for charities to pay speakers. It may not be common to pay that much, but it would depend on the context,” said tax analyst John Colombo, a professor at the University of Illinois College of Law.
