Charities are playing an increasingly significant role as a source of politically connected money

The Reform Institute, founded in 2001 by Senator John McCain, Arizona Republican, is another example of a charity that can benefit a politician, Cohen said. The institute works on many issues espoused by McCain and employs a former staff member.

The Reform Institute gets much of its money from major donors to McCain’s political campaigns.

There has also been a steady revolving door between the Institute and the senator’s campaign staff

Rick Davis, who now runs McCain’s campaign and who over the years received $395,000 in salary and consulting fees from the Reform Institute

Donald Murphy, a Senior Advisor to the Institute and a long-time political ally of McCain’s who serves as the senator’s Maryland campaign coordinator. Murphy also heads a lobbying and political consulting firm with clients including Diebold and the American Association of Nude Recreation.

Corrupt practices

McCain, John

Soros