IRS Asked To Investigate Church For Endorsing Recall

Americans United announced last week that it has written the Internal Revenue Service (full text of letter) asking it to investigate the El Paso, Texas, Tom Brown Ministries. AU says the ministry engaged in partisan politics by endorsing the recall of the mayor and two members of city council after the city approved extending health care benefits to domestic partners. AU says that a disclaimer on the church's website saying that the site is owned by Tom Brown and not the church is insufficient to prevent the recall efforts being attributed to the Ministries. The website contains an open letter to city council and a link to the recall petition. Brown also announced his support for the recall in an e-mail and during church services last month.