ACLU hit by Madoff Ponzi scheme

December 23, 1:33 PMCivil Liberties ExaminerJ.D. Tuccille

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Bernard Madoff (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

A begging letter just sent out by the American Civil Liberties Union reveals that the organization, which has taken on such an important role in recent years with its battles against the Bush administration's assaults on due process and revival of the use of torture, is a victim of the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme.

While the ACLU had no money of its own invested in Madoff's scams, foundations on which it relies for substantial funding were devastated by the scandal. The letter, signed by Director of Administration and Finance Alma Montclair, says:

You have, no doubt, heard about the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme in which investors have been horribly defrauded of up to $50 billion. What you may not know is that two foundations that have been incredibly generous and longstanding supporters of our national security and reproductive freedom work have been victimized by the Madoff scandal -- forced to close their doors and terminate their grants.

That means that $850,000 in support we were counting on from these foundations in 2009 simply won't exist. We're dealing with that reality and remain committed to continuing our critical work in these areas.

Civil liberties advocates who want to help offset the ACLU's financial difficulties can make donations here.

Contact J.D.: civilliberties (at) tuccille.com