"Following his inauguration, Gov. Patrick Morrisey's inaugural committee donated most of the leftover money it had collected to a nonprofit organization, which has been buying up Facebook ads to promote his initiatives. Last month, West Virginia Prosperity Group ran a series of advertisements telling people to call Morrisey and thank him for his energy and state budget policies. State law requires leftover money from inaugural committees to be donated either to a charity or a special fund for the governor's mansion."
"However, charity is loosely defined and includes "social welfare organizations" that engage in political acts. Records from Facebook show the recent ad buys amounted to between $4,300 and $5,700. In total, the organization has spent more than $20,000 on Facebook ads, mostly in the run-up to Morrisey's inauguration. West Virginia Prosperity Group was initially set up to help Morrisey transition from attorney general to the state's chief executive. In May, the inaugural committee donated $500,000 in leftover funds to the organization."
The inaugural committee for Gov. Patrick Morrisey donated most leftover funds to West Virginia Prosperity Group and the 1925 Fund. West Virginia Prosperity Group has purchased Facebook ads urging people to call Morrisey and thank him for his energy and state budget positions, with recent buys of $4,300–$5,700 and more than $20,000 spent overall. State law allows leftover inaugural funds to go to charity or a governor's mansion fund, and "charity" can include social welfare organizations that engage in political acts. The Prosperity Group was formed to aid Morrisey's transition and received $500,000 in May. Both groups have ties to consultant Scott Will. Rob Corneilus joined the Prosperity Group's board and said thanking the governor differs from campaigning, while such organizations can provide services like polling and keep donor identities undisclosed.
Read at Mountain State Spotlight
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