Al Sharpton has long been plagued by criminal and ethical allegations (here and here and here and here). These have included allegations over his making a fortune from companies threatened by boycotts. Now, many are raising questions over the announcement of Sharpton’s National Action Network that it will to pay Sharpton $531,000 for his “life story rights for a 10-year period.” NAN is a non-profit and the deal has been criticized as another example of Sharpton using the organization for personal benefit. This is on top of Sharpton taking $244,661 in compensation from the group in 2017.
Under the agreement, the National Action Network can reportedly sell the rights to his life story to Hollywood or any other takers at a profit. Sharpton insists that the idea for the deal came from two board members to create a source of revenue for the civil-rights organization after he steps down.
Sharpton however said that he has already a movie in production so it is not clear what NAN got in the deal.
The IRS of course monitors non-profit budgets to detect excess benefits and unreasonable compensation — a finding that can result in a charity being stripped of status.
