Is 501(c)3 organization Say No To Casinos led by John Mark Hack and Kent Ostrander violating the law? Quite possibly.

A new complaint filed by a prominent figure in Kentucky politics (names and identifying information have been redacted to protect identities for the time being) before the Internal Revenue Service alleges the anti-casino group is involved in a political campaign and has engaged in excessive lobbying activities for the past three years.

Multiple examples of excessive lobbying can be found in media archives and archives from the Kentucky General Assembly from 2006, 2007 and 2008 by the Kentucky nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, Say No To Casinos . The organization’s website, http://www.saynocasino.com/, exhibits multiple examples of excessive lobbying.

From the organization’s first press release it is apparent the 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, Say No To Casinos are participating in excessive lobbying activities.

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Say No To Casinos spokesman, John Mark Hack, admits in a January 1, 2007 Lexington Herald Leader article on casino gaming that he participates in lobbying activities, he says “John Mark Hack, spokesman for the coalition Say No to Casinos, said by his unofficial vote count, a gambling measure would not have nearly enough support to pass”, This is solid proof that he is in constant contact with members of the Kentucky General
Assembly in regards to casino gaming or gambling legislation in Kentucky.

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Say No To Casinos, has made multiple statements in the 2008 session of the Kentucky General Assembly in regards to their excessive lobbying activities and their mission to lobby against any casino and or gambling legislation in Kentucky.

View the full IRS complaint and supporting exhibits below: