A national non-profit group has submitted a complaint to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) requesting the DCP open an investigation into the non-profit status of the No Labels, a nonprofit organization started by former Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, which is trying to get ballot access for a possible third presidential candidate in states across the country, including Connecticut.

The organization End Citizens United (ECU) has already submitted a complaint to the Internal Revenue Service, but is also submitting a complaint to DCP, “alleging fraudulent misuse of its nonprofit status as it prepares to launch a third-party presidential ticket,” the ECU press release said.

“In its attempt to run a third-party presidential ticket, No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status in Connecticut and we believe Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli should investigate and hold them accountable,” ECU President Tiffany Muller said. “No Labels is a shadowy dark money political group that is grossly exploiting Connecticut laws which are designed to benefit legitimate social welfare organizations.”

The complaint to both the IRS and the DCP alleges that No Labels is abusing it’s nonprofit status to protect the identity of its donors while simultaneously mounting a political campaign rather than fulfilling its nonprofit mission to engage in social welfare as a 501(c)(4). Due to its nonprofit status, money given to the organization is treated as a charitable donation rather than a political contribution. ECU alleges that for No Labels to meet the guidelines for nonprofit status, the total program budget would have to be more than $140 million in 2023 to offset the $70 million the organization said it wanted to raise for ballot access measures.

According to the letter and complaint sent to both the IRS and DCP, the No Labels organization is primarily trying to defeat incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump as the two candidates look to head into another election rematch for the presidency.

“The volume of time and money spent on this work compared to anything else that the organization is doing demonstrates that No Labels no longer operates ‘exclusively for the promotion of social welfare’ as required by section 501(c)(4). Muller wrote to the IRS on January 23, 2024. “Instead, the organization appears to operate primarily to convey a non-incidental private benefit to the No Labels Party to oppose the candidacies of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.”

DCP spokeswoman Kaitlyn Krasselt said in an email that they have received the complaint and that it is currently “under review,” but that the department does not determine tax status.

The No Labels organization began in 2009 seeking to create a third party in the country and have thus far gained ballot access in at least fourteen states under a “Unity Ticket” for the 2024 presidential race.

“In poll after poll, two-thirds of American voters are unhappy with the choices they are likely to have in the 2024 presidential election,” the group says on its website. “No Labels is working to give the American voters a better choice should they want it. We have a strategy to get on 50 state ballots and the District of Columbia in time to potentially offer our ballot line to an independent Unity ticket in 2024 if that’s what the American people want.”

No Labels has not yet gained ballot access in Connecticut but is registered to solicit donations. ECU sent complaints to all 27 states where No Labels is authorized to solicit and receive donations, according to the press release. 

Lieberman gave a press conference last week indicating they had filed a complaint with the Department of Justice alleging a racketeering and civil rights conspiracy by political opponents to “limit the choices of the American people on election day.”

Reached for comment, No Labels Chief Strategist Ryan Clancy said they are not required to register as a political committee if they are not “actively supporting any specific candidate,” according to the Unity08 v. Federal Election Commission case.

“It’s no coincidence these different allegations were made at the same time since they are part of the same coordinated conspiracy to subvert No Labels’ ballot access and limit Americans choices,” Clancy said in an email. “Our singular purpose has always been to get on the ballot to offer another choice in the 2024 election if the American people want it and we won’t let these antidemocratic activists stand in the way of voters rights.”

Democrat leaders both nationally and in Connecticut have stated they believe that No Labels is a danger to democracy. Senate President Pro-Tem Martin Looney, D-New Haven, and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, penned an op-ed stating No Labels is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing promoting an accelerated rightward drift” in politics.

“No Labels will be securing ballot access in 34 states that allow a group like No Labels to secure a ballot line and name a candidate later,” Clancy told CII in early January. “Sixteen other states either require a named candidate to get on the ballot or just have a much lower threshold of requirements for candidates to get on the ballot. Connecticut is one of those states and a Unity ticket would be responsible for getting on the ballot there.”

However, ECU says that if No Labels is able to secure their Unity ticket in Connecticut it will set a “dangerous precedent” moving forward because of how they raise money and use their nonprofit status.

“If No Labels’ corrupt charade continues unchecked, it will set a dangerous precedent for future elections,” Muller said in the press release.

**This article was updated with comments from Ryan Clancy of No Labels and DCP**

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