Australia: Oh dear, John Howard has finally announced an election and his bestest buddies are sprung illegally moving large sums of cash around the world to fund smear campaigns in his favour.
A former member of the Exclusive Brethren has revealed the secretive religious sect has been transferring large sums of money across the world, possibly to fund political campaigns in Australia and the US.
In recent years Brethren leaders have met with numerous Liberal ministers, including Prime Minister John Howard.
Now ABC TV's Four Corners program has revealed that tens of thousands of dollars in Brethren cash have been transferred around the world in envelopes.
Oops. Moving large sums of cash about in plain brown envelopes tends to be looked upon as a wee bit dodgy in most places.
Former Brethren member Don Monday says some of the money was used to fund the 2004 election campaign of US President George W Bush.
The program also suggests the Brethren are actively lobbying for the Howard Government, although sect leader Bruce Hales has barred his followers from voting themselves.
Mr Monday says he brought less than $10,000 in cash to Australia in 2005 for distribution to the Brethren.
And he says he knows of other people who have also brought large sums of money to Australia, possibly breaching Customs regulations.
There appears to be reasonable lumps of cash moving about the world on the behalf of this mob. While the cult claims the money is a gift that is to be spent in furthering the work of the Lord
, I somehow doubt that. The Exclusive Brethren aren't exactly known for their works of charity to the needy or to anyone other than their grand poohbah, for that matter.
Former member reveals 'Brethren Express' money trail - ABC News, 15th October 2007.
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